True or False?
Obesity increases the risk of disease associated with the metabolic syndrome…diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and strokes…and has NO impact on cancer risk.
False…obesity is directly linked with 13 different cancers. Many, but not all, are digestive related. Cancers such as colon, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, and liver cancer are all directly linked to obesity through mechanisms thought to be related to inflammation and harmful alterations of the microbiome.
Obesity related cancers are on the rise having increased 7% from 2005 through 2014. Only colon cancer has decreased during that time frame—owing to the widespread use and acceptance of colonoscopy for colon cancer prevention.
While we can’t change our genetics, we CAN decrease our cancer risks by making healthy diet choices. Increasing dietary intake of fruits and vegetables as well as fiber, positively impacts the microbiome and may help to lower cancer rates.
Eat well and be well!