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I've been advocating walking -- 10,000 steps or the equivalent a day -- for decades. But recent findings both confirm the amazing power of walking to protect your health and longevity and offer confusing insights into what's enough and what leaves you a few blocks from home -- and short of your health goals.

The bottom line is that any walking is better than sitting. For example, a study that promotes a walk after eating found that engaging your large leg muscles helps improve post-meal blood sugar control. Another says a quick walk a few times a day will boost heart health. And a third found that walking 10 minutes or more daily increases healthy longevity. They're all right. And so is the latest one out of Italy.

The researchers found that for folks who were in a lifestyle program that promoted walking 7,000 steps a day, only those upping their steps count to 8,500 a day were able to lose weight and keep it off for the next 10 months.

So, if you're sedentary, start slow and low. You'll reap benefits. Those of you doing 7,000 steps and aiming for a healthier weight, up your count to 8,500. And once you're comfortable with that, soar to 10,000 a day. The more the merrier -- and healthier. But remember to provide your body with optimal fuel (see my book "What to Eat When") and protect yourself from injury by stretching before and after you stride out. See the stretching routines in "The RealAge Workout."

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.

(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.