If you’re concerned about cancer, you’ve probably heard that weight, diet, and exercise are three of the most important factors in fighting or preventing this disease. In this article, we will discuss a recent study on the effects of weight loss on the development of diseases such as cancer.
Recent studies by the American Association of Cancer Research revealed shedding a few pounds can lower the number of inflammatory markers in the body. Research has revealed that weight gain leads to inflammation, which significantly increases your risk of various diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
“Both obesity and inflammation have been shown to be related to several types of cancer, and this study shows that if you reduce weight, you can reduce inflammation as well,” commented Anne McTiernan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Prevention Center at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash.
A one year study of 439 women who underwent various weight loss interventions to lose approximately 10% of their body weight. Scientists calculated the proportions of inflammatory substances like neutrophil, leukocyte, serum amyloid A, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in each subject. One group changed only their diets, and a 36.1% reduction in C-reactive protein levels and 23.1% reduction in interleukin-6 was observed. The group involved in exercise and diet had a 41.7% drop in C-reactive protein and 24.3% in interleukin-6. It was observed however that the group involving exercising without any dietary changes had no considerable effect on inflammatory markers.
Studies have shown in cases as low as 5% weight loss, a noticeable reduction of inflammatory markers have been observed. This means it is critical for obese or over weight people should seriously consider reducing their risk of cancer and other serious disease by changing their diets and increasing their exercise activities. Even a few pounds can make a significant difference.
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