We all know that exercise is important for a healthy heart, blood sugar regulation, a strong immune system, better sleep and overall fitness. If you need motivation, there are many good reasons to get yourself moving, but now there is new research that proves it even reduces the spread of cancer cells in the body.
A study published by Israeli researchers in the journal, Cancer Research, points to a particular type of exercise that reduces cancer's ability to spread. Aerobic exercise, especially high intensity is best.
According to the study, there was significant reduction in metastatic cancers among those who did regular high intensity exercise. Metastatic cancer is the kind that spreads from one part of the body to another, sometimes called stage 4 cancer. It is very difficult to treat.
Why did it make such a difference? Because cancers grow rapidly when there are high levels of sugar available to the cells and when you exercise it reduces the amount of sugar in the cells. The study showed that with exercise, particularly high intensity exercise, the cancer cells end up on the short end of the stick. Healthy cells use the sugar and nutrients that the cancer cells have to compete for and therefore they cannot feed and grow.
Aim for 20-30 minutes, most days of HIT, running, biking, fast walking, hiking, swimming or high intensity exercise classes. Get Moving! Your life may depend on it!
