Obesity makes breast cancer cells more aggressive

(NaturalHealth365) We already know that obesity diminishes health in a number of ways. Now the increased spread of breast cancer can be added to that list.

Research out of Heidelberg University Hospital and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Technische Universität München (TUM) has yielded some enlightening discoveries.

During their research, the European scientists found that obesity causes cytokines to be released into the bloodstream. This in turn impacts the metabolism of breast cancer cells, causing them to become much more aggressive.

Obesity has become an epidemic – worldwide

Obesity is a severe issue in the U.S., with around 30 percent of Americans now falling into this category. However, the problem of obesity has also been spreading across the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have reported the number of obese young people under age 18 has increased tenfold between the years 1975 and 2016. Clearly, there are many more people that need to hear the truth about how lifestyle choices affect health outcomes.

Obesity and being severely overweight can lead to higher risk for a range of health impairments, from cardiovascular diseases to cancer. This new research shows that not only does obesity raise cancer risk; it also causes the cells to become much more aggressive and more prone to metastases than they would be otherwise.

The reason this occurs is ‘unknown’ to conventional (pharmaceutical industry-controlled) scientist; however, the enzyme ACC1 seems to play a central role in the process, according to the researchers. ACC1 is a central component of fatty acid synthesis and is one of the first and foundational steps in the process.

However, its function can be impaired by the cytokines TGF-β and leptin. These cytokines tend to be quite elevated in the bloodstreams of obese individuals.

Of course, ask any well-educated (integrative) healthcare provider and they’ll tell you: poor food choices (which leads to metabolic disorders), toxicity (a breakdown within the detoxification pathways of the body) and a lack of physical activity play a huge role in the development of obesity.

Genetics and fatty acid metabolism play a role in agitating breast cancer cells

The scientists found that the inhibition of ACC1 causes an accumulation of acetyl-CoA, an important fatty acid precursor. It is in turn transferred to certain gene “switches” that increase metastases in cancer cells through activating certain genetic programs.

For the study, the scientists used human breast cancer tissue that had metastasized. With it, they were able to show the fatty acid precursor ACC1 was much less active there.

When the researchers blocked the signaling pathway using an antibody that was directed toward the leptin receptor, there was greatly reduced metastases and spread of breast cancer tumors.

Going forward, the researchers wish to substantiate these results in additional studies. The goal is to develop therapeutic interventions that work on these mechanisms.

Turning off metastasis-related genes and blocking the offending signaling pathways are just two possibilities. These therapies could help to reduce the risk of metastases and tumor recurrence prior to surgically removing tumors.

URGENT message: Losing excess body weight will reduce the risk of breast cancer metastasis

Breast cancer metastasis and recurrence after tumor surgery is the primary cause of deaths from cancer in women. Other studies have linked obesity with aggressive breast cancer forms.

Important note: Postmenopausal women are at an even higher risk of developing breast cancer that metastasizes.

Naturally, we all understand the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for good health. These research results should give overweight women – at a high risk for breast cancer – even more incentive to lose weight.

Take action today: Favor organic (chemical free) fruits and vegetables; eat high-quality protein while avoiding processed foods. Lower mental and emotional stress – especially the repair of toxic personal relationships. Exercise on a regular basis – even if it’s just walking.

And, finally, replace those toxic personal care or household cleaning products with safer versions that use natural ingredients like, essential oils. These steps will go a long way to reducing your risk of cancer or any other chronic health problem.

Sources for this article include:

EurekAlert.org