Exercise Has Been Proven to Reduce Cancer Risk

It is well known that a change in lifestyle is a must to prevent or drastically reduce cancer risk. An important part of this lifestyle change is exercise. A recent write-up in the British Medical Journal explored the relationship between exercise and cancer.

The article pointed out that several factors have a direct bearing on the risk of cancer. These factors are: (1) cardiovascular capacity (2) pulmonary capacity (3) bowel movement (4) hormone levels (5) energy balance (6) immune system function (7) antioxidant defense and (8) DNA repair. Daily exercise improved these factors which lessens cancer risk.

People who exercise have half the risk of developing bowel cancer than those who lead a sedentary life. Studies have found out that laboratory rats using running wheels developed fewer and smaller skin tumors. In addition, a reduction in body fat levels produced a smaller number of tumors.

A strength training study was conducted using 54 women aged 30 through 50 to determine its effect on several risk factors which can lead to breast and colon cancer. Lasting 9 months, this study measured changes in body fat percentage, waist size, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I.) There was no nutritional diet associated with the study. The participants used weights to train only twice a week.

In only 15 weeks the study participants achieved an increase in lean body mass (muscle) and a corresponding decrease in body fat percentage, and reductions in fasting insulin and glucose levels. Studies have also shown that a strength training program can be implemented to prevent a recurrence of breast and colon cancer.

Exercise pushes insulin levels down. In a world-wide study to determine why centenarians live as long as they do, it was discovered that the one thing they all had in common was low insulin levels for their age. Insulin sensitivity is the major indicator for lifespan.

Resistance training (weight lifting) increases insulin sensitivity much more effectively than aerobic training (running, jogging, etc.) Strength training forces blood to flow to the targeted muscle. The greater the blood flow to the muscle, the greater the sensitivity.

The opposite of insulin sensitivity is insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the cause of the disease of aging. The symptoms of the disease of aging are cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc. Return to Healthy Lifestyle From Cancer Risk