Cancer increases every year you are overweight

We all know that it is healthier for our heart to be at a normal weight. But what about cancer? Is obesity tied to cancer?

According to recent research, obesity is not only associated with cancer but the amount of time we are obese also increases the risk. For example, women were at an increased risk of breast, endometrial, colon, and kidney cancer the longer they were overweight. 

According to the American Association of Cancer Research being overweight is second only to smoking in terms of contributing to cancer risk. 

So how does weight contribute to cancer?

Being overweight contributes to cancer risk in a lot of different ways and it depends on the cancer. Some types of cancer are very sensitive to hormones. For example, breast and endometrial cancers are often sensitive to estrogen levels. Being overweight contributes to an excess of estrogen which can increase the risk of these cancers. 

What we eat can also contribute to cancer risk. High sugar diets tend to help people gain weight and can also serve as fuel for some types of cancer and in particular aggressive cancers. 

So what is the solution?

While it is obvious that getting to a normal weight is the key to cutting your cancer risk it also important to eat the right foods. This includes eating real foods that are high in healthy fats, moderate in protein, and low in net carbohydrates. Regular exercise is also important in addition to strength training. 

To get to your ideal body weight I also find it is necessary to have someone that can hold you accountable. This can be a spouse, friend, or your doctor.