OT: the benefits of exercise in preventing cancer

[Guest guest]

OT: the benefits of exercise in preventing cancer - particularly

gastrointestinal,

lung and colon cancer. (And in another study, breast cancer for

physically active

women.)

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/phys-ed-does-exercise-reduce-your-cance\

r-risk/

It's notable (or perhaps I should say appalling) - that the

researchers don't have the first clue

that the reason for this effect is because exercise creates endorphins

which modulate the

immune system and help to keep it healthy.

***The Finnish researchers admit that, like other scientists studying

activity and cancer, they don’t know just how or why brisk exercise

affects risk or why only some types of cancer are affected. Exercise

long has been known to speed the emptying of the colon, which may

reduce the amount of time that carcinogens linger in the organ, the

Finnish scientists point out. Strenuous exercise also affects the

production of sex hormones in men and women, and — particularly in the

case of estrogen and breast cancer — may by that mechanism reduce

cancer formation. Other scientists have posited that the panting

involved in strenuous exercise might rapidly move carcinogens out of

the lungs. Still other researchers have written that alterations in

how a well-trained body handles insulin and some cellular growth

factors could lessen the chances of tumors developing..****

Regards,

Mara