Surprising Fitness Booster Cuts Men’s Risk of Prostate Cancer 35%?
You know that phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”?
Well guys, it turns out that regularly getting your ticker ticking can help keep a certain CANCER away.
Folks, we all know that exercise is good for your health. It keeps waistlines trim, boosts energy, helps with sleep, even boosts your brain…
But now new research shows that consistently improving cardio fitness year after year—and we’re talking just a few percentage points here—lowered the risk of this cancer by over a third.
And it worked regardless of their starting fitness level!
The study tracked over 57,000 Swedish men. They had them periodically cycle vigorously during fitness exams to push their heart and lung capacity.
Researchers measured oxygen use as an indicator of cardiovascular fitness—the higher the oxygen uptake, the better the fitness.
Over three years, men able to increase their cardio fitness by at least 3 percent yearly LOWERED their prostate cancer odds by 35 percent! And that’s in comparison to the men whose fitness declined around 3 percent annually.
And get this…
It didn’t matter whether they started out as super athletic or more of a couch potato. So, that means by working to raise their cardiovascular capacity year over year—no matter their starting fitness level— they benefited with a REDUCED cancer risk.
You see, being truly fit means having your heart, lungs, and muscles working together to properly circulate oxygenated blood throughout your body—and reaching vital areas, like the prostate.
More fresh blood flowing efficiently allows your prostate and other organs to stay healthy and resistant to cancer.
However, when guys let their cardio conditioning slide… without regular activity, blood flow can stagnate. Organs may struggle without adequate oxygenated supply. And that’s when abnormalities—like cancer—can take hold.
Here’s some useful perspective: Around 113 men per 100,000 receive a prostate cancer diagnosis every year.
(Gentlemen, the odds seem stacked against us just by having a prostate!)
That being said, you can help shift those odds in your favor, just by maintaining steady cardiovascular fitness gains.
Activities like jogging, swimming, and hiking that challenge your heart rate are ideal. Shoot for intensity that makes talking difficult. The concept is sustaining an elevated exertion level beyond your normal comfort zone.
Now, if you haven’t worked out in a while—whether it be a year or since your high school days—don’t worry! Just get started at your current level and work toward reasonable goals.
The key is committing to REGULAR activity that pushes your body slightly harder each week. Even modest cardio capacity gains year-over-year provide profound protective effects against prostate cancer over time.
Consider it compound interest for your health. Small wins accumulating steadily eventually result in great rewards.
In Your Corner,
Dr. Allan Spreen
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