Why would exercise lower cancer risk?
Why does exercise reduce cancer risk? There are several possible reasonsmany of them center around the immune system. For example, strenuous, sustained exercise stimulates white blood cells to release a compound called interleukin 1. We could expect any vigorous exercise to accomplish this effect, whether it is gardening, brisk walking, or dozens of other activities. This is good news because interleukin-1, in and of itself, is a natural chemotherapy agent. Beyond this, interleukin-1 stimulates the release of interleukin-2, which also aids the immune system. These interleukin chemicals from our white blood cells serve as modulators of the whole immune system. Another way that vigorous exercise helps the immune system is by doubling the blood plasma interferon levels. Interferon is another chemotherapy agent that acts against certain types of cancer such as hairy-celled leukemia. It also fights chronic viral infections such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Exercise also increases other c
