Cloudy mind? Damaged arteries? Spreading backside? A new study confirms that the remedy for these health woes is precisely what the fourth-century B.C. Greek philosopher Diogenes figured out: "Solvitur ambulando," he said.

It is solved by walking!

Up to 70 percent of North Americans spend six to eight hours a day sitting, and many spend much more.

Here's how it can add up: Four hours watching TV, two hours commuting, seven hours at the office.

The toll is astounding - even if you're relatively young: Researchers looked at guys 20-35 and found that prolonged sitting causes blood to pool in the legs and reduces blood vessels' ability to expand by 50 percent. That contributes to heart disease, diabetes and cancer - and just feeling lousy!

But if you go ambulando for five minutes every hour, you'll preserve blood vessel flexibility and dodge all kinds of health problems! So ...

• Download a free hourly reminder app like reMind or set your smartphone timer to go off every hour.
• When the alarm sounds, walk up and down the stairs in your office building or home. Or head for the parking lot or backyard, and do a fast once-around. Watching TV? March vigorously in place. You can always steal five minutes to save your health!
• Get a pedometer. You'll be amazed at how many steps you get in by walking for five minutes during each of the hours you're sitting!

Over time, increase your steps while staying with five-minute breaks. Then you'll be walking tall and sittin' pretty!

© 2014 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.