Myokines fight prostate cancer.

Ever heard of myokines? These are cytokines, molecules released by your muscles, especially during exercise, that have been linked to tumor suppression. In fact, a study showed that just one session of high-intensity exercise decreased prostate cancer cell growth by nearly 17%!

That’s right, exercise does not only build strength and fitness, but can also be used to create an internal environment hostile to cancer growth. The study, which involved 9 men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (meaning their cancer stopped responding to testosterone suppression hormone therapy), found that serum levels of specific myokines (SPARC, Oncostatin M, Interleukin-6, and Interleukin-15) rose significantly after exercise.

Why is this important? When researchers applied this post-exercise serum to prostate cancer cells in the lab, they saw a nearly 17% reduction in cancer growth compared to cells exposed to serum taken before exercise. The right type of exercise can create an environment in the body that makes it harder for cancer to grow, while at the same time filling you with health and energy.

The exercise protocol in this study wasn’t extreme: it involved a 5-minute moderate warm-up, followed by 6 sets of 4-minute high-intensity cycling at 70-85% of maximum heart rate (which the participants rated as a 7 to 8 on a scale of 10 in perceived effort). Between the high-intensity intervals, they had 2-minute active recovery periods (low-intensity cycling), and finished with a 5-minute cool-down.

But here’s the catch: 30 minutes after the exercise ended, serum levels of these anti-cancer myokines decreased, and cancer cell growth suppression dropped to just 6.5%. This means the effects of exercise are short-lived, so regular, daily activity is essential to continuously produce these powerful molecules.

We all know exercise is good for you, but research like this shows us how it works at a molecular level to fight cancer and it identifies the types and parameters (mode, intensity, volume, frequency, tempo) of exercise that are the most effective for their anti-cancer potential. That’s why exercise shouldn’t be seen as something that’s “nice to do”. It’s an essential part of prostate cancer treatment. And it’s even more critical when the exercises are specifically designed to maximize the release of these anti-cancer myokines.

You might think, “I’ll just go to any personal trainer and get a workout plan.” But here’s the truth: if you go to a regular exercise trainer, they’ll give you a simple program designed to get you in shape. A typical nutritionist might help you lose weight. But when it comes to cancer, it’s different. That’s why I constantly tell people with cancer (whether it’s prostate or any other form) to seek out experts who specialize in cancer care, not just anyone. It pays to get the right help from the start, so your body can better fight the disease, reduce side effects, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce the chances of the cancer coming back (recurrence).

I believe the day will come when exercise is prescribed as a standard part of the treatment regimen for prostate cancer alongside conventional therapies, not merely as an option. And of course, I’m committed to educating and empowering men with prostate cancer to harness this anti-cancer power that already lies within them.

Exercise is a miracle given to us freely. Every day, you have the power to choose and allow this miracle to work within you.

If you want more free evidence-based lifestyle strategies for dealing with prostate cancer, my newsletter has that.

A great way to start taking control of your health is by joining my Prostate Cancer Health Coaching and Support Group. Apart from a plan and structure that will keep you consistent, you will regularly touch base in a group with other men with prostate cancer using their lifestyle as a medicine, who will give you support, camaraderie, and push you forward. You do not have to handle it by yourself.

Or for direct help and someone to check in with, I also do 1-on-1 coaching (and you also get access to the group). I help men with prostate cancer put together exercise and nutrition plans that fit their situation, like the diagnosis, past treatments, side effects, any injuries, their schedule, energy levels, and everything else life throws at them. And most importantly, I help them find strategies to use their lifestyle as a medicine consistently.