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Health & Fitness

Breast Cancer and Exercise

Your biggest tools in the fight against cancer are now, and will always be, a properly designed nutrition program and exercise regime.

Breast cancer has affected most of our lives in some way, at one time or another. Some may have been more closely touched by this terrible disease than others, but there is no doubt about it, breast cancer strikes fear into the hearts of women all over the world, just as prostate cancer does in men. The truth is that there is no better defense than a great offense. In other words: get educated and have a plan. Taking action and getting educated will provide you with the tools and awareness necessary to defend yourself in the best ways possible.

Your biggest tools in the fight against cancer are now, and will always be, a properly designed nutrition program and exercise regime. Move your amazing human body and fuel that movement accordingly!

Nutritionally, we have all heard the rumor that cancer feeds on sugar – i.e. don’t eat it. But it’s not quite that simple. In fact, it’s a long but extremely interesting and horizon-broadening story that we will save for another time. But make no mistake about it – there is truly an arsenal of weapons against cancer in the world of nutritional science and alternative medicine. 

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There are many benefits of exercise as it relates to prevention, recovery from, and inhibiting the return of breast cancer. Exercise promotes the mobilization and utilization of excess body fat which, in turn, helps to improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that controls glucose uptake for use as energy by cells. The more sensitive to insulin your cells are, the more efficiently you utilize fuel. An excess of glucose and insulin in the blood creates an environment in which cancer thrives, and also promotes other dangerous conditions such as Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Exercise also improves circulation. Proper circulation is of extreme importance for toxin removal, nutrient and blood gas delivery, body heat regulation and many more vital processes within the human body. As we all know, life is in the blood, and a stronger heart pumps blood deeper into tissue than a weaker one. A heart that works hard helps to keep cellular inflammation down and optimal function up, which in turn can help your body deal with foreign invaders ingested from processed foods and other environmental toxins. 

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These same concepts apply for prevention, inhibiting return, and also recovery from surgery. There are many types of surgical procedures related to breast cancer, and exercise has been proven to be of the utmost importance for recovery from all of them. For example, a person can lose mobility in his or her shoulder after surgery, which can dramatically affect some of the daily functions that we all take for granted such as bathing and combing your hair. Exercise promotes healing and flexibility at the shoulder joint, and assists in speeding recovery time so patients can get back to living their lives normally.

In speaking with so many breast cancer survivors over the years, I have learned two very important things: 1) a proper nutrition and exercise regime should be viewed as a necessary investment in your future; and 2) there is always hope in the face of adversity. In many cases, being well informed is the fuel that drives the fire of hope.

To Your Health,

Anthony Baucom 
Fitness Director 
THE GYM ENGLEWOOD
20 Nordhoff Place
Englewood, NJ 07631 
Phone: 201-567-9399
abaucom@gettothegym.com
http://www.gettothegym.com/englewood/default.asp

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