Potential Link Between Obesity and Cancer!

[Guest guest]

Losing weight and.. keeping it off (the magic key that we just HAVEN'T gotten

with diets, etc. before the surgery) can help regulate insulin levels and,

consequently, help reduce risk of various cancers (related to high insulin

levels).

Pretty interesting - I thought it would provide the list with plenty of food

for thought...

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

nine months post-op and still feelin' fabu

preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 201 lbs/size sweet 16/large in normal people's clothing! Yipee!

 

SafetyAlerts

November 19,  2001

New Theory May Provide Missing Link Between Overweight, Cancer

High Insulin Levels Caused by Inactivity, Excess Weight Make Cancer More

Likely, Scientists Say

 (SafetyAlerts) -  A specific condition that occurs in the bodies of many

inactive, overweight individuals may actually encourage the cancer process,

according to researchers at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).

Past studies have shown that overweight, inactive individuals have higher

risk for many cancers, but a clear biological explanation for exactly why

this is so has been more elusive.

Now, research is showing that being overweight and inactive can cause the

body to release high levels of insulin and other hormones known as " growth

factors. " High insulin levels -- along with several other conditions

collectively known as " metabolic syndrome " or " syndrome X " -- have already

been linked to cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.

Many cancer scientists now believe this same state of affairs is one reason

cancer is more common among the overweight and obese.

" Insulin and other growth factors encourage cells to divide more rapidly, "

said Helen Norman, Ph.D., lead author of a new AICR review of the scientific

literature on obesity and cancer risk.

" Under normal circumstances, release of insulin is tightly regulated and

doesn't pose much of a risk. But in many overweight, inactive people, the

tissues are constantly exposed to high levels of insulin, which causes cells

to reproduce quickly. "

Whenever cells reproduce rapidly, Dr. Norman said, the chances increase that

something could go wrong in the process, such as the kind of random mutation

that can lead to cancer.

But AICR researchers stress that this potentially dangerous condition is

reversible.

* Regular physical activity can help reset the body's hormonal systems and

regulate the secretion of insulin and other growth factors.

* Losing weight and keeping it off also helps restore insulin levels to

normal.

Source: PRNewswire.

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