Simple Exercise Trick BOOSTS Your Body’s Cancer-Fighting Power
Cancer is a horrendous illness.
And what’s equally horrendous are mainstream medicine’s conventional cancer treatments—surgery, radiation, and chemo. Or as we often say “cut, burn, poison.” Surely there has to be a better option?
Well, while we don’t have a cancer cure (yet!)—what if we told you that a simple exercise routine could help your body fight cancer more effectively?
Let’s take a look.
Exciting new research from the Universities of Birmingham and Bath has revealed that moderate-to-vigorous exercise can significantly boost the power of antibody therapies used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
CLL is a cancer of white blood cells and the second most common adult blood cancer in the UK. While antibody therapies (like Rituximab) are commonly used to treat CLL, researchers have found that adding exercise to the mix can make these treatments even more potent.
In the study, participants aged 45-82 with CLL were asked to perform a 30-minute bout of moderate-to-vigorous intensity cycling. Blood samples taken before and after the exercise showed that the number of natural killer cells—your body’s own cancer-fighting warriors—increased by a whopping 254 percent!
What’s more, when researchers isolated these natural killer cells and put them in close contact with cancer cells, they found that the cells from post-exercise blood samples were twice as effective at killing cancer cells when Rituximab was present.
So, how does exercise help?
It seems that physical activity encourages cancer cells to move out of hiding and into the bloodstream, where they become vulnerable to both the antibody therapy and the natural killer cells’ attack.
This groundbreaking research could have significant implications for CLL patients undergoing treatment and those in the monitoring phase after treatment. By incorporating moderate-to-vigorous exercise into their routines, patients may be able to enhance the effectiveness of their antibody therapy and give their bodies a better chance at fighting off any remaining or reappearing cancer cells.
While more extensive trials are needed before official treatment recommendations can be made, this study adds to the growing body of evidence that highlights the importance of physical activity for cancer patients.
As always, it’s crucial to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program to ensure that it’s appropriate for your individual needs and abilities.
To beating cancer,
Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team
P.S. New hope in the fight against cancer? Find out more, here.
Sources:
Harrison D. Collier-Bain et al, A single bout of vigorous intensity exercise enhances the efficacy of rituximab against human chronic lymphocytic leukaemia B-cells ex vivo, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.023
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-05-bouts-efficacy-cancer-drug.html
