New insight into how excess belly fat may increase cancer risk

New insight into how excess belly fat may increase cancer risk

New insight into how excess belly fat may increase cancer risk

“Belly fat releases proteins that fuel the growth of malignant [cancerous] cells,” the Mail Online reports.

It’s long been known that obesity is an independent risk factor for a number of cancers, including breast, bowel and liver cancer. But it’s less clear why this is the case.

This question has become more pressing, as it’s estimated obesity will soon overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer in the developed world.

A new study has investigated the possible biological mechanisms behind this link. Researchers focused on visceral adipose tissue, the fat that coats internal organs. Visceral fat leads to a bigger waist size and more belly fat.

The researchers found excess visceral fat stimulated the growth of normal, healthy cells and may promote cancerous change by releasing a protein called fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2).

But visceral fat wasn’t able to stimulate growth when cells lacked FGF2 receptors. Receptors are specialised parts of cells designed to respond to certain chemical signals.

The researchers suggest the findings could pave the way for important cancer prevention strategies targeting FGF2. But this research is still in its very early stages.

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways of reducing your risk of cancer, as well as a number of other serious health conditions.

Where did the story come from?

The study was carried out by researchers in the US from several institutions, including Michigan State University and the Yale School of Medicine.

Although the study wasn’t directly funded by any organisation, individual authors received grants from different funding bodies, including the US National Institutes of Health and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs’ Breast Cancer Research Program.

The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Oncogene. It’s available on an open access basis and can be read for free online.

Generally, the Mail Online’s coverage was accurate. Their coverage also referenced a narrative review from July 2017 on the influence of visceral fat on health outcomes, but we’re unable to comment on the accuracy of the reporting on that study.

What kind of research was this?

This animal and laboratory study aimed to investigate the relationship between excess body fat, specifically fat around the organs (visceral adipose tissue), and cancer risk.

There’s plenty of evidence to confirm the link between having excess visceral fat and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Recent evidence suggests excess visceral fat may also be linked to the risk of developing breast and colon cancer.

But the exact biological mechanisms aren’t well understood. The researchers hoped to study in more detail how visceral fat causes a normal, healthy cell to progress into a cancerous one.

Early-stage research is very useful for improving our understanding of mechanisms that occur at a cellular level. But even though mice are genetically similar to humans in many ways, we aren’t identical.

That being said, regardless of whether human or animal cell lines are being studied, there could be external factors playing a role in the association that can’t be explored, such as whether or not someone smokes.

What did the research involve?

The study involved both research in mice and tests on human fat cells in the laboratory.

The mice were either fed a low-fat diet, high-fat diet or normal diet, and were induced to grow cancerous cells using ultraviolet-B rays. Their visceral fat was then collected and any tumours were analysed.

The researchers also obtained samples of visceral fat tissue from mice and cancer-free obese human subjects. They studied whether incubating this tissue with the epithelial cells that line organs caused cancer.

What were the basic results?

The researchers found visceral fat tissue stimulated the growth of a protein called fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) in some cases if the FGF2 receptors were present.

This in turn stimulated the growth of epithelial cells, which may have the possibility of turning malignant (cancerous).

In the live mice, the researchers also discovered that circulating levels of FGF2 were associated with the formation of non-melanoma tumours.

How did the researchers interpret the results?

The researchers suggest that the release of FGF2 could be a pathway by which visceral adipose tissue leads to tumour generation.

They concluded that, “These data therefore suggest FGF2 stimulation of [FGF2 receptors] as a previously unappreciated link between [visceral adipose tissue] and cell transformation.

“This key finding begins to inform how [high-fat diets] and/or visceral adiposity elevate cancer risk, previously suggested only via epidemiological studies.”

Conclusion

This animal and laboratory study investigated the possible cellular relationship between excess body fat – specifically fat around the body organs – and cancer risk.

It seems one key mechanism by which excess visceral fat could stimulate healthy cells to develop into cancerous ones could be through FGF2 levels.

The researchers hope their study could pave the way for possible cancer prevention strategies by stopping FGF2 production in obese people with excess belly fat.

They even go as far as suggesting that blocking FGF2 receptors could be one part of a treatment approach after a diagnosis of breast or skin cancer.

But it’s too early to speculate about the implications of this research. Early-stage animal and laboratory studies like this one are useful for better understanding mechanisms that occur at a cellular level.

We don’t know that this is the whole answer. Various genetic, health and lifestyle factors are likely to be play a combined role in the association between body fat and cancer development.

Find out more about losing weight.

IS YOUR BELLY FAT KILLING YOU ALREADY?


Belly Fat - and why it is causing you problems

Belly Fat – and why it is causing you problems

Fat belly has been a problem for many who do not know how to get rid of it and have a flatter stomach. Excess fat in the stomach gives us problems especially on the clothes to wear and how we look and feel. Some of us feel that having too much fat on the belly makes us unattractive. It is however even a greater risk to the health of a person. Too much or excessive fats in the belly or other body parts can be a great danger to health and fitness of an individual. It is important and critical to look into ways of dealing with the fat on the belly as this can prevent health problems and eliminate the risks of suffering some diseases.

The Dangers

Chronic conditions or diseases have been linked and associated with the fat accumulation in the belly. Diabetes is one of the serious illnesses or conditions one may suffer because of or resulting from the accumulation of fats in the belly and other parts. With the condition, sugar circulation and balancing in the body is difficult and thus becomes a problem for the individual. The occurrence of terrible diseases such as heart conditions is also a possibility. It is essential to deal with the excessive fats immediately or eliminates the fat. The best solution or remedy is however prevention. With the presence of the belly, you need to work on reduction of these fats, so they do not cause or pose obesity health risks to the system or body.


Beat the Belly

The belly has the risks to your body shape and more so to the health. It is thus essential to work hard to be able to beat the belly. Set goals to reduce the belly. You need to see a physician if necessary to know the best ways to this. Simple steps can be of help to individuals with belly fat that is disturbing. Watching the diet may be one of the important steps to start. Other simple steps should be incorporated into your schedule daily if you are serious about losing the belly fat.

Exercise

Trim the belly fat by exercising. Consistency in exercise makes the effort more effective in belly beating or reduction. Workouts should aim at reducing the belly fat. You can see a specialist from for example the gym for more instructions, suggestions, and advice. Exercise or workout aimed at reducing the fat in the belly will work if consistency and doing the exercise right are there. Jogging is a good exercise that can help in beating the belly. You do not necessarily require to go or to be in a gym. You can work out in the house or the backyard of the house or home. It is advisable to use treadmill exercises as a way of reducing the belly fat. Remember to do things right and be a consistent. Exercise or work out together with a friend or a relative or family member. Moral support and encouragement are both necessary. They keep you moving. They also make the activities you do fun. Ensure the exercise take 30-40 minutes at minimum.

Diet

Get and ensure to include more fiber in the diet. The fiber makes the stomach full, and you thus can avoid overeating. It is advisable to ensure that one includes many fruits in the diet. Fruits have fewer calories as compared to other foodstuff, and they are healthy to take. They thus help in reducing the belly fat. They make your stomach fuller. It is important to carry fruits to the place of work as it ensures that if you feel hungry, you do not take any unhealthy or sugary snack. Drink lots of fluid or water. Ensure you stay away from fizzy and sugary drinks. They contribute to the fats in the belly. Eat healthy snacks and foods with fewer fats and calorie levels and this will eventually aid your efforts of belly beating.

Stress

Handling stress in right ways is essential. Some people deal with stressing issues by overeating and drinking. The two habits contribute to belly building or formation. It is essential to consult or talk with friends in case of stress or difficult situations. Relax the mind, walk around, listen to music and also ensure to get or catch enough sleep. Exercising is a better and advisable option.

Sleep

When you sleep enough or for a period that ensure that you fell good and fresh the next morning, can deal with a fatty belly. The behavior or habit of having enough sleep ensures you do not have visceral fats building up in the belly. Sleep matters. Ensure to get enough of it.

Conclusion

Belly fat is risky. Efforts to deal or eliminate the belly are a priority for most people. Use the simple tips. Consistency helps in continual of the practices. Patience is part of the plan. Be patient to get the results. They may take time but will be soon visible.

Video: Must Watch- IS YOUR BELLY FAT KILLING YOU ALREADY?

 

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Author bio:

Meighan Sembrano is an author She has a keen

Meighan Sembrano

Meighan Sembrano

interest in writing. She has contributed many beauty related articles in many popular websites. She has done her Mass Communication degree. She now lives in Washington DC. She is a social worker who spends her free time searching about life, healthy, beauty and lifestyle fitness related articles. She is fond of travelling and trekking. To know more about her, follow her on Facebook and Twitter.