How Exercise helps to fight Cancer? 10/18/2009
 Recent mass tweets about beating cancer (#beatcancer) has inspired me to take a moment to bring to your attention, some cancer preventative measures. In specific, exercise and how it helps to prevent cancer. The exact factors causing cancer in general are still unknown and scientists are working diligently towards this and bringing a cure. However, there are studies that have been conducted that link physical activity through exercise to reduce the risk of cancer. So how does exercise reduce the risk of cancer? Cell division malfunction is basically what cancer is. It is where malignant and other cancerous cells take over. A large number of people who are overweight or inactive produce higher levels of hormones that spur cell division. This increased rapid cell division provides a greater opportunity for initiation of cancer. Exercise helps to reduce bodily fat stores and bring these hormones (that increase cell division) in check. In addition, a lack of activity over a long run hampers your metabolism. The movement of food through your system slows down considerably. This leaves your system exposed to bile acids in the digestive tract. Many scientists believe that these acids and increased secretion of bile (to compensate digestion of the sluggish movement of food) increase the risk of cancer. Exercise helps to regulate metabolism and as a result reduces your risk of cancer. Exercise also helps to strengthen the immune system by improving the body’s antioxidant defense system. In women, it has been proven that exercise greatly reduces hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone; hence, minimizing the risk of cancer and any recurrence. Also, exercise regulates the use of insulin used in the body. Insulin is necessary to break down food into glucose. When insulin is not utilized properly within the body, there exists an above normal accumulation of sugar in the blood as muscle and liver cells use the insulin ineffectively. This leaves you prone to diabetes, a condition that has been linked to breast cancer. As an individual who has fought cancer in his lifetime, I cannot stress any further, the importance that exercise should have in your life. I urge you to make the necessary adjustments in your lifestyle in order to personally lead a healthy life. Please also take a moment to help the Canadian Cancer Society in any way you can.  CommentsLeave a Reply |
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