A new study conducted on post-menopausal women showed those who are overweight or obese can reduce their levels of inflammation linked to cancer by losing just 5% of their body weight.
The study looked at women who either dieted, exercised or both. Those who lost weight through diet and exercise were able to lower their C-reactive protein by 42%, and their interleukin-6 marker by 23% in just one year.
Both of these inflammation markers have been previously linked to cancer. Dr. Anne McTiernan of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle stated, “Both obesity and inflammation have been shown to be related to several types of cancer.”
Several previous studies have linked being overweight or obese with having an increased risk for endometrium, colon, pancreas and kidney cancer. Leading a sedentary lifestyle or having a body weight that is higher than a healthy range has facilitated up to 25% of all cancers according to Dr. McTiernan. The decrease seenin inflammation during the study was larger than what anti-inflammatory medications would offer.
A total of 439 women who were overweight and obese as well as post-menopausal were observed in this study. The women were divided into three groups of those that were instructed to eat a low-fat diet, exercised or do a combination of diet and exercise. The only group that did not see a reduction in inflammation was the group assigned to exercise only. The goal was for all of the women to reduce their body weight by 10%, and this study shows that the key to reducing inflammation is fat loss.
If you want to lower your own inflammation factors and cancer risk, you simply need to move more and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you consume. “At least 150 minutes or more per week of moderate or vigorous level activity” is the national guideline, said Dr. McTiernan. According to the Center or Disease Control, at least one third of all cancer deaths are related to dietary factors. Having a low-fat diet that is loaded with fruits and vegetables can be a major help to building up your health to fight off cancer and many other diseases.
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