Scientists have long thought that limiting the calories a person consumes can prevent, or at least slow the progression of certain cancers. But research using mice suggests// that body composition – whether a person is lean or obese – actually is key to reducing cancer risks.

In other words, how the body handles calories is much more important to controlling cancer risks than how many or how few calories are consumed—a finding that could have strong implications for preventing and treating cancer in humans.

In findings published in the issue of Cancer Research, the UAB team found that transgenic mice predisposed to prostate cancer that were lean had a much slower progression of cancer than did heavier mice.

“This study suggests that body composition, being lean as opposed to being obese, has a greater protective effect against cancer,” said Tim R. Nagy, Ph.D., UAB professor of nutrition sciences and study principal investigator. “Excess calorie retention, rather than consumption, confers cancer risk.”

Nagy’s team placed transgenic mice into two controlled environments, either 27 degrees centigrade or 22 degrees centigrade, and fed them equal amounts of food. The mice living at the cooler environment needed more energy to regulate their internal temperature and so burned more calories simply to stay warm. These mice lost weight and were leaner than the mice kept at the warmer temperature.

The mice kept at 27 degrees were heavier and had more fat mass. Cancer in these mice progressed at a much greater rate than in the lean mice. The heavier mice also had higher levels of leptin, a hormone associated with obesity that promotes cancer, and lower levels of adiponectin, a hormone that appears to protect against cancer.

“We believe this is the first study to show that the beneficial effect on cancer risk by reducing the number of calories in the diet is more closely related to leanness or obesity t
'"/>




Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Body Composition Device Gives an Impetus to Infant Studies
2. Crucial Link Between Body Composition and Cancer Risk
3. Teen Players Urged To Wear Helmets and Gloves to Avoid Sports Injuries
4. Jharkhand Ropes in Private Players for Health Scheme
5. Researchers Uncover Critical Player in Cell Communication
6. Zinc – A New Key Player In Brain Circuitr
7. The Cause Behind Water Polo Players’ Sickness Remains A Myster
8. Modified Ligament Surgery Improves Outcomes Players, Athletes
9. Indias Pharmaceutical Industry to Be Global Player: Study
10. Former Official Confesses He Had Sold Steroids to Leading Baseball Players
11. Ex Pro-football Players Saddled With Depression After Retirement