Studies show that losing weight lowers your risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
BALTIMORE — This year alone, 105,000 Americans are said to have colon cancer. Most of these cancers begin as growths, or polyps, on the lining of the colon. Now, researchers say there is more evidence that weight loss in adulthood can have a significant impact on disease risk.
It is one of the most significant health problems for Americans, with more than two-thirds of all adults overweight or obese. Losing weight lowers your risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
“Our study is one of the first to suggest the benefits of losing excess weight to help reduce colorectal polyps, which may help reduce colorectal cancer,” said Kathryn of MPH. Dr. Hughes Barry said,
Dr. Barry is a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She and her colleagues used data from 17,000 men and women in prostate, colorectal, and ovarian cancer screening trials.
Participants were aged 55 to 74 years. For overweight or obese adults, losing just 2 pounds per decade can reduce the risk of polyps that can develop into colorectal cancer, researchers have found.
“When we looked at weight loss, we found that the risk of these polyps was reduced by 46% in people who lost weight,” explained Professor Barry.
Researchers say that gaining about 6 pounds or more every five years is associated with a 30% increased risk of polyps. Barry says there are other preventative measures people can take to lower their risk, such as exercising regularly and eating a diet rich in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. increase.
Barry also suggested “reducing your intake of red and processed meats like deli meats.”
Barry also emphasized the importance of regular colorectal cancer screening. Unless there is a family history of colorectal cancer, most adults are advised to have a colonoscopy when he is 45 rather than when he is 50.
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