Reducing Weight Reduces Cancer Risk

Increased body fat increases risk of cancer. Body fat acts as a depot for producing inflammation and hormones that contribute to a pro-cancer physiology. Overweight, overfat, and obese individuals have increased rates of cancer and cancer recurrence.

One reason body fat contributes to cancer growth is that it contributes to increased levels of inflammatory factors such as COX2 and LOX5, C Reactive Protein and the cytokine Interleukin-6 all of which contribute to a pro-cancer environment.

Related PEERtrainer article: How to Reduce Inflammation

2. Maintaining normal blood sugar metabolism and normal insulin signaling and reducing the risk of diabetes. Elevated blood sugar, diabetes, and pre-diabetes, also known as insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, can fuel cancer growth. Diabetics with chronically elevated blood sugar, insulin and Insulin Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) levels have increased risk of cancer and cancer progression. Why? Cancer cells preferentially utilize sugar as a fuel.

The more sugary your blood, the more ready fuel for cancer cell growth. Elevated insulin and IGF-1 levels also promote cancer cell growth. Exercise not only reduces body fat and increases percent muscle mass, but also influences hormone signaling to normalize blood sugar metabolism. The key is here is MODERATE exercise. Very intense exercise can trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone that elevates blood sugar.  

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