Deadly cancer risk could be reduced with just a 10-minute workout, study suggests
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A single 10-minute workout can cause changes in your blood that help fight colon cancer.
This is according to new research from scientists at the University of Newcastle, who discovered that exercise rapidly changes the blood in a way that affects colon cancer cells in the laboratory.
In the study, UK researchers exposed colon cancer cells to human blood serum collected immediately after exercise, and found that the cells repaired DNA damage more quickly and showed patterns of gene activity linked to slower growth.
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The blood samples came from 30 adults who had just completed a short, high-intensity cycling workout that lasted between 10 and 12 minutes, according to a news release.
According to researchers, even a 10-minute burst of intense exercise can send protective signals through the blood that affect colon cancer cells. (iStock)
Samuel T. Orange, an associate professor at the University of Newcastle and one of the authors of the study, spoke to News Digital about the findings.
“Our findings show that exercise rapidly triggers molecular changes in the bloodstream that can act directly on colon cancer cells, remodeling gene activity and supporting the repair of DNA damage,” he said.
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The results suggest that even a brief activity can make a difference. “Every movement matters. The exercise doesn’t have to last hours or be done in a gym,” Orange added.
Research suggests that exercise quickly triggers changes in the blood that affect colon cancer cells and helps promote DNA repair. (iStock)
One of the most surprising findings, according to the researcher, was how strong the biological response was even after a single workout.
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“Exercise altered the activity of more than 1,000 genes in colon cancer cells,” he shared.
Even brief bouts of activity can make a difference, the researcher said. (iStock)
The study’s findings suggest that the effect is driven by exercise-activated molecules released into the bloodstream, sometimes called “exerkins,” which act as chemical messengers and send signals throughout the body.
“Every time you exercise, you activate biological signals that support health and resistance to diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease,” Orange said.
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The researchers cautioned that the study was conducted using cancer cells grown in the lab, not in patients.
The findings are based on experiments using colon cancer cells grown in the lab, not studies in people, the researchers noted. (iStock)
30 healthy volunteers, men and women, between 50 and 78 years old, participated in the study. Their blood samples were used to carry signals activated by exercise to cancer cells grown in the lab.
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“These findings now need to be replicated in people with cancer,” Orange said. “We also need to better understand the long-term effects of repeated exercise cues over time.”
Despite the limitations, the researcher said the findings strengthen the case for exercise as an important part of colon cancer prevention.
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“Every time you move your body and get a little breathless, you are contributing to better health and can help influence the biological processes related to bowel cancer,” he added.
Kelly McGreal is a production assistant on the lifestyle team at News Digital.