Exercise and Health – emerging roles of IL-6

•IL-6 is released into the circulation during exercise.•Exercise training reduces visceral adipose tissue mass and this effect of exercise is abolished in the presence of IL-6 blockade.•IL-6 delays the rate of gastric emptying and reduces postprandial glycemia and insulin secretion in humans.•IL-6 reduces appetite through actions in the CNS.•Voluntary running suppresses tumor growth through epinephrine-dependent and IL-6-dependent NK cell mobilization and redistribution.