Not to scare you or anything, but there's another good reason to start paying attention to your weight (as if you needed another good reason). The American Institute for Cancer Research released some scary data this month, showing that obesity could be the direct cause of more than 6 percent of all cancer cases diagnosed in the US every year. That's a total of -- get ready -- about 100,000 cases of cancer. Every year. Attributable to obesity.

More specifically, the researchers estimate that extra body fat causes 33,000 breast cancer cases a year, probably 21,000 or so cases of endometrial cancer and more than 13,000 of colorectal cancer. See, in the "olden" days, we thought fat cells were just these annoying little sponges of fat that sat there on our bodies making it tough to get into our jeans and embarrassed to get into a swimsuit, but not doing much else. We used to think these fat cells were inert. We now know that the little buggers are virtual endocrine glands, spitting out a huge array of inflammatory chemicals (like cytokines) and hormones (including estrogen!).

Fat cells are smart: They even secrete compounds that protect their interests. One such hormone, discovered in 2001, is called resistin, and it contributes to insulin resistance, a condition that makes it fiendishly difficult to lose fat. So sure, it's always good to watch your weight because of vanity. But if vanity doesn't do it for you, maybe understanding that excess fat can literally rob you of life by contributing to cancer, (not to mention heart disease and diabetes) might motivate you to take some action!

Turmeric, one of the main ingredients in curry, is a plant and spice known for its unique flavor, bright yellow coloring and reputed health benefits.

Part of the ginger family, Turmeric was used as a dye and considered a powerful anti-inflammatory in ancient Chinese and Indian medicine. It is also believed to have an array of health benefits. It has been used as both a cancer-fighting agent and a liver detoxifier. Additionally, the South Asian plant can be used as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent on cuts and burns. Turmeric has also been used as a digestive aid and treatment for arthritis and depression.

Today, turmeric can be taken as in capsule form. Most experts, however, recommend that people try to include it in their daily recipes and meals.

Get out there and run. And put some energy into it!

Men who exercise vigorously for at least 30 minutes a day are far less likely to ever develop cancer, according to a study from researchers at the universities of Kuopio and Oulu in Finland. Why? The key factor in lowering the risk of cancer is a higher rate of oxygen consumption, reports Agence France Presse.

The study: For one year, the researchers studied the leisure time activity of 2,560 men between the ages of 41 and 61 years old, none of whom had a history of cancer. Sixteen years later, 181 of the men had died from cancer, primarily from cancer of the stomach, intestines, lungs, prostate and brain.

The results: Using an intensity scale for physical exercise that measured "metabolic units" of oxygen consumption, the scientists found that the men who exercised for at least 30 minutes a day were half as likely to get cancer as those who did not, reports AFP.

Exercise appears to offer the greatest protection from gastrointenstinal and lung cancers, and this held true even when other factors, such as age, alcohol consumption, smoking and weight, were considered. "The intensity of leisure-time physical activity should be at least moderate so that beneficial effect ... for reducing overall cancer mortality can be achieved," the researchers conclude.

The study findings were reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

--From the Editors at Netscape

Diet can help too. Click here to see which superfoods have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer.

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For years, it was thought that heavy lifting was a cause of a painful condition called lymphedema in women who had undergone a mastectomy. But as recent research is showing, lifting weights might actually be the cure. An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that expert-guided weight lifting may actually reduce the symptoms of lymphedema, which include swelling of the arm, leathery skin and pain.

Individuals participating in the study who lifted weights twice a week over the course of a year reported less swelling and fewer exacerbations of other symptoms than those who didn't. Study author Kathryn Schmitz hopes the findings will encourage gentle exercise in mastectomy patients and, at the very least, stop doctors from cautioning them to avoid any weight at all -- a practice that she described to ABC News as a "crazy, backward situation that further stresses the survivors."

However, if you've had a mastectomy, hold off on buying that expensive home gym for now. The National Cancer Institute says that it's still too early to recommend a regular upper-body weight lifting routine to patients, adding that "an acute injury from overexertion could cause some cases of lymphedema." If you're determined to work out regardless, make sure you consult your doctor first, and be sure to get proper training from a qualified fitness professional.

You know, research says eating a nutritious diet is a wise cancer-prevention move, but sometimes health food isn't as healthy as we think it is. Check out AOL Health's Top Health Food Shockers.

Photo: TheBusyBrain, Flickr

Hot dogs kill. Or at least that's what Cancer Project president Neil Barnard wants you to know before you dig into a juicy dog at your family barbecue this summer. He's filed a lawsuit against several big processed meat producers, including Oscar Mayer and Hebrew National, demanding their products come with warning labels stating that hot dogs increase the risk of cancer, in the same way cigarettes carry warning labels about lung cancer, emphysema and so on. Perfectly reasonable or a little extreme?

Consider this: An American Institute for Cancer Research report claims that a 50g serving of processed meat a day (about what you'd get from a hot dog) can increase your risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent.

This is thought to be because of nitrites -- preservatives used in processed and cured meats that, when broken down in the digestion process, might be carcinogenic. But that hasn't been confirmed yet. Colorectal cancer kills approximately 50,000 people every year in the U.S.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Your tooth brush, tooth paste, floss and mouth wash don't have to be the only dental-health tools you use. Cheese or raisins, anyone? You can snack for a healthy smile too. Click through this photo-gallery of good-for-your-teeth snacks to find out more.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health aren't about promoting one shape or another, but according to new research, certain female figures may have more health advantages -- or disadvantages -- than others. Find out what your body type could indicate about your overall health.

Diagnosed with brain cancer at age 12, Zac York emerged from treatment two years later, cancer-free, but also with severe muscle mass loss and the need to walk using canes. At age 18, he climbed Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in the continental U.S. Find out more on "From Cancer Patient to Mountaineer" on AOL Health.

Photo: Andyrob, Flickr

A healthy diet has long been considered a good measure for cancer prevention. The American Cancer Society recommends increasing your servings of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, incorporating more whole grains into your diet and limiting your consumption of processed and red meats.

Recent research suggests that going one step further and following a vegetarian diet can reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Researchers followed more than 60,000 men and women; some ate meat, others ate fish but not meat, and a third group went vegetarian. The vegetarians were found to have a reduced risk of developing stomach cancer, cancer of the bladder, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

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Another good reason to skip dessert: Your health. Photo: sxc.hu

Last week, a flurry of studies reminded us that there are a lot of good reasons to stay fit, and not one of them has to do with looking good in your skinny jeans (though that doesn't hurt):

• The first study, from Virginia Commonwealth University, discovered that weight-loss surgery can lead to long-term control of type 2 diabetes. Ninety percent of patients in the study had normal blood sugar levels within a year, and over half maintained that control 15 years later.
• A second study out of Sweden found that women who had bariatric surgery reduced their risk of obesity-related cancers. (Men, however, did not benefit from losing weight.) In the past, obesity has been linked to certain cancers, and this study strengthened the notion that losing weight -- for women, at least -- can reduce that risk.
• A third study found that being overweight as a young adult increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, while being obese in middle age can reduce a person's chance of surviving the disease.

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I may be dating myself here, but I remember when my parents bought their first microwave and my mother would warn me not to stand in front of it. Safety fears were just one of the rumors that swirled around about microwaves. It was also thought that food cooked in a microwave lost some of its nutrients. But those myths have long been debunked, right?

CafeMom has a post regarding Dr. Don Colbert's latest book "Eat This and Live!" In his book, Colbert suggests cooking frozen meals in the oven to retain nutrients and reduce the risk of cancer. Interesting. Especially considering plenty of studies have shown that food cooked in a microwave is not only safe, but nutrients remain relatively intact.

Do you have any lingering fears or concerns about your microwave?

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Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Our fitness expert Fitz sits down with the stars and digs out their great and not-so-great methods for staying healthy.

Christina Applegate has grown up before our eyes and has truly evolved into a sophisticated, smart, driven woman who also happens to be one hell of a comedic actress. Her hit show "Samantha Who?" on ABC is in its second season, and Christina has had to split her focus between continuing to deliver hilarity on cue and recuperating from an aggressive battle with breast cancer. She's recovering from a double mastectomy and becoming the fit woman she's accustomed to being. Christina talked about her efforts to stay strong, the diet she can no longer afford and the torture she endures for gorgeous skin.

Fitz: Christina, you look the best I've ever seen. What have you been doing?

Christina: Thanks! I'm finally able to exercise (since my surgery). My recovery has been really long and slow but I've been gradually getting back in to it.

Fitz: What type do you do?

Christina: I've been running, spinning, dancing and taking boot camp classes. I really love to exercise.

Fitz: That doesn't sound very gentle at all! In fact, it sounds like a pretty hard-core workout schedule.

Like me, you've probably wasted more of your life sitting on Facebook than you'd like to admit. It's addictive and thrilling and such a complete waste of time, but that's OK because it's harmless, right?

Um, think again.

New reports are showing that Facebook is bad for your health -- in fact, it can raise your risk of cancer! Studies aside, think of it this way: If, say, you took all the time you spent snooping on your ex's profile or playing Facebook Scrabble or incessantly updating your profile and used that time to lift weights, go for a run, do yoga or even cook a healthy meal, think about how fit you'd be right now! It boggles the mind.

I'm not saying you should quit Facebook cold turkey, but you should consider giving up some Facebook time for something a bit more physically healthy. Myself, I refuse to get on the computer until I've gone for a run or at least done some sit-ups, and it works pretty well.

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Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

Exercise has lots of benefits; it helps you maintain a healthy weight, aids in weight loss, generates/sustains energy and reduces your risk of many chronic conditions/diseases. Recently, for example, a study revealed active people are 24 percent less likely to develop colon cancer.

But when it comes down to it -- what really makes you lace up your shoes and get out there? Do the random news pieces about this reduced risk or that reduced risk inspire you? Or is it a more internal reward that you're seeking?

I'll be honest. I'm not a big fan of multivitamins. I don't think they're a bad thing and I would never try to talk someone out of taking them. However, if you eat a nutritious and varied diet, popping a pill seems a bit redundant to me. Kind of like putting in your contact lenses and then putting on a pair of glasses to make sure you can really, really see.

Researchers recently found that, while multivitamins are unlikely to do any harm, supplements don't help older women fight off heart disease and cancer. The results seem to confirm other recent studies that say some supplements don't have the same cancer-fighting abilities as the vitamins do when found in food.

As with most studies, other researchers have stepped forward to point out flaws. Be that as it may, it makes me wonder if we're expecting a bit much from our multivitamins. Since when did multivitamins have to don their superhero suits and fight off all diseases?

Multivitamins are intended to be a part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise. They aren't a free pass that gives you the option of eating nothing but junk and they aren't a magic potion that will ward off disease.

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We all know that people tend to use time as a so-called "legitimate" reason to eat poorly. Those people never like me much. Why? Because the excuse is lame and doesn't hold water, and I'm fairly upfront about it. The truth: Bananas are quicker to peel than any package can be opened. Apples don't even need peeling!

Cooked food can also be insanely quick. In fact, I always keep giant bags of various frozen vegetables in my freezer so I can toss them in a bowl and heat them in the microwave in under five minutes. Is it gourmet? Not really. Do I care? Hell no!

What matters most is that we choose fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains. Those are a few of the things that are vital not only to weight maintenance, but they support a nourished, energetic and disease-free body. If you are hell-bent on eating poorly than just get on with it. But if you truly want to make fitness happen and change your life, you're going to have to kick excuses to the curb.

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During the holidays, the wine flows freely at my house. Wine's the best of the alcohols, right? That's what we tell ourselves anyway. But one has to wonder, considering recent reports that the metals in wine are linked to Parkinson's and cancer. Plus, apparently, wine drinkers are most likely to drink too much. Egads.

And yet, it's still true that wine is healthy for your heart. What's a wine lover to believe?

I, for one, believe in moderation -- living healthfully 90 percent of the time and giving myself a break that other 10 precent. I also believe that if we abide by every study on every food that causes whatever disease or condition, we're not really enjoying ourselves. I believe in enjoying the good things in life, all at once -- good food and libations with good family and friends. I believe in making up for indulgences with an extra long run on Monday.

What's your take?

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