Metastatic cancer (where the original cancer spreads to other parts of the body) has brought grief to millions and continues to reduce the life quality of otherwise fit and healthy individuals.
A new medical study from Tel Aviv University, has found that the risk of developing metastatic cancer can be reduced by up to 72% with regular, high-intensity exercise.
What sounds like a bold claim, is in fact backed by in depth scientific research, which paves the way for prevention of metastasizing cancers across the globe.
A research project conducted by Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine, examined cancer cells and uncovered a rise in the number of glucose receptors during high-intensity aerobic activity, increasing glucose intake and turning the organs into effective energy-consumption machine.
"We assume that this happens because the organs must compete for sugar resources with the muscles, which are known to burn large quantities of glucose during physical exercise. Consequently, if cancer develops, the fierce competition over glucose reduces the availability of energy that is critical to metastasis. Moreover, when a person exercises regularly, this condition becomes permanent: the tissues of internal organs change and become similar to muscle tissue. Exercise changes the whole body, so the cancer cannot spread, and the primary tumor also shrinks in size.” Professor Carmit Levy
Their staggering results suggest that high-intensity aerobic activity helps in cancer prevention. With its unique metabolic and physiological effects, high intensity exercise can indeed have a higher level of cancer prevention than any other medication or medical intervention there is.
Whether it's bodyweight exercises on the gym floor, or tackling a HIIT fitness class such as Les Mills Sprint, Grit or HIITStep, these short bursts of activity can drive glucose intake enough to have a massive effect.
While previous studies have revealed that regular exercise can reduce cancer by up to 35 per cent, Professors Levy and Gepner were able to dig deeper and show that high-intensity aerobic exercise can maximise cancer prevention so much more than ever know before.
“We all know that sports and physical exercise are good for our health. Our study, examining the internal organs, discovered that exercise changes the whole body, so that the cancer cannot spread, and the primary tumour also shrinks in size." Professor Carmit Levy
