Thomas DayThomas Day
Day Cancer Research Foundation, Inc.
The Immune System and Exercise
by Thom Day
Keeping the immune system healthy and vibrant is key in keeping the body free of cancer of all forms. The simplest and least expensive way of keeping the immune system energized is with daily exercise and balanced nutrition. The mind-body system is exposed to a daily barrage of chemical toxins and heavy metals from a variety of environmental sources. The multiple exposure episodes are from the water your drink, the air you breathe and the food you eat. The immune system works 24 /7 trying to keep the blood stream and skin free of acquired carcinogens and immunotoxins. The immune system is constantly maintaining all biocell structures within the human body. When the immune system is stressed, its functions become suppressed. Immune suppressing lifestyle activities like tobacco smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages and eating too much food hampers the immune system from doing its job. When the immune system is down, bacterial infections, cancers and a long list of autoimmune diseases have their origin. When the immune system cannot detoxify the blood, the body’s burden of chemicals starts to build. The chemical exposures begin to accumulate in body fat, bone marrow and skin lipids. The process of cell division called mytosis is no longer protected from the cancer induction process with an impaired immune system. Breast cancer starts from a single tissue cell that is experiencing trauma on a molecular level. If the local immune system cannot resolve the problem, an inflammatory response kindles tumor formation at the site.
There is no pill that can replace the mind-body’s need for motion and exercise. The opposite venue is also true; a sedentary lifestyle in a toxic world is unhealthy and increases the risk of pre-cancer condition called immune dysplasia syndrome. IDS is responsible for chronic fatigue, malaise and poor sleep cycles. Exercise on a daily basis has proven to be the best pro-immune activity that a person can do to slow the aging process, keep the immune system intact and promote mental well-being. The benefits of a structured daily exercise program are numerous and add zest to life. The chief benefit of exercise is an increased oxygen uptake by all the normal tissue structures. Cancer cells cannot tolerate rapid changes in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the red blood cells. Cancer cells actually suffer from respiratory stress when the velocity of the blood serum speeds up every time you exercise. Old cells and cancer cells die from the stress induced by exercise and simply vanish in a natural process called apoptosis. If the immune system is suppressed by whatever means, physical exercise is the best way to energize it to its full cancer-fighting potential, just as God designed it. Whether it be step exercising, working on a treadmill or simply rapid walking, this movement increases the heart rate to a work rate of between 1.2 and 1.5 times the rest rate and is sufficient to keep the immune system at its peak good health condition. This is referred to as homeostasis, a well-balanced good health condition of the mind-body system. Gumption does not come in a bottle. It takes will power and determination to get the human spirit moving the way the Good Lord intended it to maintain good health and a positive mental attitude every day of our physical lives. A healthy mind-body is prelude to a healthy soul and daily exercise can certainly help achieve that goal and serve as a daily work ethic of cancer prevention at the same time.
