The answer is yes, according to a recent study in the journal Obesity Research. Body fat consists of various forms of fat tissues, of which adipose tissues are of two types- subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Researchers have found that a higher level of visceral fat may make the people more at risk to prostate cancer.
When 63 prostate cancer patients were compared with same number of healthy counterparts by assessing their body fat distribution, the results hinted at a significant relationship between high levels of abdominal fat and prostate cancer. The scientists of Hospital S. João, Porto, Portugal, who had conducted the research, have explained the association to the role played by adipocytokines of visceral fat cells, hormonal disturbances, and increased levels of insulin that are associated with abdominal obesity. Insulin levels may trigger carcinogenic growth in the prostate gland, especially on prostate tumor leading to prostate cancer. Although the visceral fat, or the fat surrounding our organs, have already been linked to cardiac problems and metabolic disturbances, this is the first time it is being connected to any form of cancer.With the statistics of obese people growing everyday, especially among children, it’s become of vital importance that obesity of any kind be brought under control through greater awareness.
Links:
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/news-NG.asp?n=57857-obesity-raises-prostate
