Life Fit with Laura Lewis: Protein Hormone Found in Body Fat is Clue to Breast Cancer

Being Life Fit is about your total health, including the health of all of your relationships. Life Fit is a journey, not a destination. It is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Check in each Tuesday to Life Fit with Laura Lewis, author of "52 Ways To A Healthy You," as we explore our total life fitness. Then, weigh in with your own thoughts over at Laura's "Life Fit Chat" each Wednesday and Thursday for further discussion on the week's topic. For more information visit Laura at www.LauraLewis.com.

We all want to look and feel our best. We workout and stay physically fit because we know our body performs at its best when we are functioning at our ideal weight. Plus, our clothes look better when we are lean, and we feel better about ourselves when we look good. But did you also know that body fat percentage may also have a direct link to breast cancer?

Scientists have discovered that low levels of a protein hormone found in body fat directly impacts the growth of tumors, as well as their potential to spread. Large amounts of body fat actually secrete much higher levels of estrogen and the growth factor leptin, which can encourage tumors to grow making post-menopausal, overweight women at a greater risk of developing breast cancer.

Adiponectin, a hormone only found in body fat, increases as people lose weight. Reduced levels of Acrp30 are also linked with other lifestyle and diet related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. Professor Margot Cleary, said "In the developed world, as the average body mass index climbs, it's vital that we understand the interaction of adiponectin with other growth factors such as leptin in breast cancer spread.

"Our findings indicate that adiponectin, which is released from fat tissue may protect against estrogen receptor positive tumour development when levels are high, it's also likely that a balance between leptin and Acrp30 determines whether a tumor increases or decreases in size."

In a bizarre twist of cruel coincidences, many women have found that chemotherapy can actually cause them to pack the weight on. However, more important than the actual weight gain is the individual's body mass index or BMI. An individual's BMI is one of the most accurate ways to determine when extra pounds should be considered a health hazard. A BMI calculator is a useful tool in determining whether or not a person's health is at risk.

More and more we are learning that exercise and proper diet are essential for whole body wellness. Diet and exercise are essential for all aspects of living a long and healthy life. A diet rich in whole grains, beans, nuts and fruits and vegetables are important for everyone, but can prove especially important in preventing breast cancer.