Myokines Benefits

Myokines benefits go beyond simply just helping us build muscle and stay strong, the health benefits are exactly what our bodies need to live longer!

As I've mentioned in other articles, myokines are powerful proteins released in our bodies during muscular contraction, any time we use weights and strength training or any other type of resistance training.

Our bodies have a wealth of health inside, and strength training is the way to release these health benefits - 

via myokines.

The key to unleashing these life changing benefits:

Use strength training at least once a week to full muscle fatigue.

Myokines Benefits #1 - Fight Cancer

The first of these myokines benefits come from secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) and Oncostatin M (OSM), two myokines released during intense muscular contraction.

When this myokine is released in the body during high intensity strength training it likely causes the apoptosis (self destruction cycle) in cancer cells.

This is why so many medical doctors suggest super slow strength training for all adults going through any kind of cancer treatment.

Because the most intense and safe forms of strength training help our bodies naturally fight cancer.

Myokines Benefits #2 - Lower Blood Pressure

One of the most sought after myokines benefits is the lowering of blood pressure.

One in four individuals has hypertension to some degree, and strength training can help lower that. 

In the case of lowering blood pressure, myokines AND adipokines are both responsible.

This study was fairly long and involved but showed all of those participating in strength training showed marked decreases in blood pressure.

The adipokines and myokines leptin, BDNF, irisin, and musclin are all responsible for this powerful effect of strength training.

Looking at all of the scientific evidence, I will always suggest that every adult participate in strength training. 

Myokines Benefits #3 - Lower Cholesterol

The same myokines benefits study above applies to lower cholesterol. 

Not only do we see lowered blood pressure but marked decreases in cholesterol were present in the same study. 

And these changes occurred without making any nutrition or diet shifts! That's powerful!

I want a bit of a disclaimer here, though - please don't discard the importance of a healthy nutrition plan. 

The most recent studies all show that with:

1) Proper natural nutritious diet

2) A weekly strength training program

we can add 11 years to our lives.

Strength training and healthy nutrition is truly life extension. And myokines are deeply responsible for a large portion of this.

Myokines Benefits #4 - So Much More!

I discuss myokines benefits in the later portion of my video below, but it also contains a powerful story from the book Body by Science by Doctor Doug McGuff -

Strength training saves lives and acts as life extension, like you'll see.

There are a wealth of other myokines benefits that happen in the body during strength training also - 

• Fighting Dementia and Alzheimer's
• Increasing Bone Density (Fighting Osteoporosis)
• Fast Increase of Muscle Mass (Fighting Sarcopenia)
• Fighting Type 2 Diabetes
• Increase Immune Function

Many more of the benefits of strength training can be found here.

My advice is that all adults take advantage of the power of strength training. 

Begin weekly training your muscles and take advantage of these benefits!