Did you know that being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing cancer of different types? Unfortunately it is true.
According to the National Cancer Institute obesity can increase the risks of esophagus, colon, rectum, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, gallbladder and endometrium (uterine cancer). In postmenopausal women being obese increases risk for cancer more than women that are still menstruating.
There are several possible reasons that have been suggested to explain the relationship between weight and the development of the cancers listed above.
The definition of obesity is measured using a Body Mass Index (BMI). Adults that have a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight and a BMI of between 30 to 39.9 is considered obese.
For anyone that falls in either the overweight or obese category, this article will give you reasons to lose weight and take back your health
While everyone has fat cells or adipose cells in the body, people who are overweight or obese have so many more fat cells that the substances released could cause someone to develop cancer. Excess adipose cells secrete extra estrogens, as well as other hormones called adipokines and tumor growth regulators.
Excess estrogens have been shown to contribute to the production of cancers cells in the breast tissue and endometrium, which is found in the lining of your uterus.
Leptin, which is an example of an adipokine that is more abundant in obese people seem to promote cell proliferation. We do not want to have cell proliferation in abnormal or cancer cell.
Adiponectin, another adipokine that is less abundant in the obese, is considered to have antiproliferative effects. This would decrease the growth of abnormal or cancer cells.
Finally, fat cells seem to have effects, both direct and indirect on tumor growth regulators like mammalian target of rapamycin and AMP- activated protein kinase. Tumor growth regulators do exactly what they are name suggests -- regulate the speed and growth of the tumors.
Obesity has other systemic implications on overall health as well. Obesity contributes to increased levels of insulin circulating in the blood. Sometimes people call increased levels of insulin “insulin resistance” which has been implicated in causing many other chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
In addition to insulin resistance it can also cause an increase in insulin-like growth factor which may promote the development of cancer cells. And obesity causes low levels of chronic inflammation that has also been associated with heart disease and increased cancer risk.
One of the keys to losing weight to have a strong desire to keep you focused on the goal of losing weight. Perhaps knowing that being overweight or obese is a risk factor to develop cancer will give you incentive or focus to releasing those extra pounds.
Optimal health is important to feeling good and enjoying your life. It is also important to having a quality of life without chronic disease or cancer.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
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Dr. Dae is a Naturopathic Physician who practices in the Washington DC metro area treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.
Sources:
"Obesity and Cancer Risk - National Cancer Institute." Comprehensive Cancer Information - National Cancer Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/obesity.
"Overweight: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003101.htm.
Reviewed February 1, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith