Insulin, Leptin, And How 'Bulking' Can Limit Building Muscle!

What You Need To Know About Insulin

Insulin is said to be the most anabolic hormone because of its ability to:

·        Activate protein synthesis, glycogen synthesis, and glucose uptake in muscle and fat tissue

·        Inhibit protein degradation, glycogen breakdown, and gluconeogenesis

However, when insulin is present in the blood, it also:

·        Inhibits fat from being burned

·        Activates glycolysis (the burning of carbs for energy)

Cancer Patients Receive Many Benefits from Exercise - By David Haas

As recently as a decade ago, doctors were telling cancer patients to reduce physical activity or even eliminate it altogether. Now, it's becoming increasingly clear that exercise and fitness improve quality of life as well as survival rates in cancer patients and those in remission. There are a variety of fitness options for patients to choose from.

Aerobic exercise is something everybody should be doing, but cancer patients in particular can benefit. 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week prevent the return of breast cancer by up to 40 percent. Light options for aerobic exercise include walking around one's neighborhood or going for a hike in a nearby nature area. Cycling is a great form of transportation that's also valuable as exercise. Another option for light exercise is swimming, which is particularly kind on the joints. Another benefit of aerobic exercise is improved airflow, which aids breathing for patients suffering from mesothelioma or other lung cancers.

Many health practitioners consider strength training essential for chemotherapy patients to maintain bone and muscle mass. Strength training, which is often anaerobic, can include weight training or bodyweight exercises such as pushups. These types of exercise cause the body to produce higher levels of hormones such as testosterone which support better mood and encourage greater immunity to help fight illness such as cancer. Higher endurance, lower blood pressure, and greater flexibility are more advantages of a strength-training regimen for cancer patients or survivors. For maximum benefits during an exercise program, days off from strength training can be used for aerobic exercises. Depending on the individual, day of pure rest may also be required, or days that include only mild exercise such as walking.

Fitness doesn't necessarily require special equipment, a gym membership, or even setting aside time just for exercise. One can become more fit just by incorporating physical activity into daily life. For example, instead of taking the elevator, you can use the stairs. Instead of watching television, try and take a walk to a local park. Walking a dog, going to the zoo, or riding a bike to work are all examples of integrating exercise into daily activities. Although none of these activities individually are sufficient as a standalone form of exercise, they're potentially invaluable when they're combined as part of a healthy lifestyle. They're also great for people just getting started exercising.

As researchers continue to find more benefits of exercise, they're also sure to learn more about the role fitness plays in cancer patients' quality of life and chances of recovery. Even for patients with a history of mostly sedentary behavior, getting moving can be very effective for mental and physical health, particularly when it's combined with nutritious food and a healthy lifestyle.

If you have any questions regarding the benefits of exercise for cancer patients you can contact David Haas directly at davdhaas@gmail.com