This article is about one effect of exercise on the immune system to stop tumor growth. Cancer prevention is always relevant but more so presently.
A recent study discussed in Study: SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins Impaired DNA Repair That Can Lead to Defective Immunity and Cancers talked about the negative effect of vaccination on the immune system that may lead to cancer formation.
We will start with an immune cell that plays a significant role.
Natural killer cells or NK cells are lymphocytes that are always in the bloodstream. They kill cells infected with viruses and cancer cells. What makes them “natural” is that they don’t need previous exposure to the virus or a cancer cell before they ” kill” them.
Natural killer cells have receptors on their surface. Some receptors activate the NK cell, and others inhibit their action. The proteins on the surface of the other cells determine what NK cell receptors will respond.
The proteins that are “self” will be recognized by the inhibitor receptors. Hence the NK cells will leave them alone.
Virus-infected and cancer cells have “non-self” surface proteins and will attract the activating receptors of the NK cells. After recognition, the NK cells will proceed to destroy them.
A mice study from Denmark shows that voluntary running on a treadmill increases the amount of NK cells inside the blood vessels. More NK cells in the bloodstream are like more police patrolling the streets to maintain peace and order. (Of course, I’m talking about good police officers and not the baddies)
In the study, mice with tumors have a 60% reduction in tumor size and number across five different types of tumors.
On the other hand, mice who did not have fewer NK cells had more tumor growth.
What makes the NK cells go inside the blood is the level of epinephrine or adrenaline. Epinephrine is the fight or flight hormone. They go up in times of stress to get the body ready for whatever it needs to do to survive.
Exercise also increases the activating receptors of the NK cells. The increased receptors make them more sensitive to tumors cells.
Other immune system cells like the T-cells, CD4 cells and CD8 also increase with exercise. These cells also help eliminate tumors and infected cells.
NK cells have to work with other immune cells. Signaling proteins called cytokines are needed to coordinate with other immune cells.
Exercise increases the cytokines, particularly the interleukin six or IL-6. IL-6 comes from exercising muscles and directs the NK cells to the tumor cells. What happens next is that the other immune cells are stimulated and go to the site of the tumor cells.
Overall, the study shows that exercise increases epinephrine, stimulating the NK-cells and IL-6 to go to the tumors.
Thus, a key action of NK cells is to deliver the initial ‘‘spark’’ that activates other cell types of the immune system.
The “spark” attracts other immune cells and cytokines that work together to stop the progression of tumor cells.
An increase in the heart or pulse rate is a good measure of rising epinephrine levels.
A heart rate monitor like the Polar H9 Heart Rate Sensor works with your cell phone and lets you know your heart rate as you exercise.
If you already have an oxygen meter like the Zacurate Pro Series Pulse Oximeter, it can also tell you your heart rate. The difference will be that you cannot check your heart rate continuously.
Medicines that slow down the heart
There are medicines like beta-blockers that prevent your heart rate from going up.
Atenolol, metoprolol, and bisoprolol are commonly used for hypertension and heart failure.
Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan) and diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartix XT, Taztia XT), can lower the heart rate significantly. Digoxin can also slow down the heart.
Other medicines like clonidine, donepezil (Aricept), morphine, and lithium also slow the heartbeat.
That does not necessarily mean that you cannot exercise.
Anyone can benefit from an exercise program but be sure to talk to your physician before starting.
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Related:
- The effects of kettlebell exercises for women 65 and older
- Physical Activity Correlates with Life Span
- Humanin, Longer Life Span and How to Have More of Both
- Make that Game Winning Shot that at the Buzzer!
- Physical Activity Correlates with Life Span
- How Does Exercise Prolong Life?
- The Benefits of Resistance Training
- The Surprising Benefits of Sweating
- The Good and Faithful Servant
- Effect of Short Term Exercise on Mortality
- Exercise Guidelines
Reference:
Pedersen et al. Voluntary Running Suppress Tumor Growth through Epinephrine- and IL-6-Dependent NK Cell Mobilization and Redistribution. Cell Metabolism. February 16, 2016, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CMET.2016.01.011
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