Belly Fat and Future Cancer Risk

Studies suggest that excess belly fat leads to a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, and new studies show it may play a part in some forms of cancer. Although it is no secret extra weight increases the chances of someone developing cancer, scientists now believe that belly fat can predict a person's risk of developing cancer just like a person's body mass index (BMI). Research suggests that as a person's waistline increases, so does their chances of getting certain types of cancer, including pancreatic, breast and colorectal cancer. 

Waistline Measurements and Cancer
According to the World Health Organization, adding about 11 centimeters to your waistline could increase your chances of developing an obesity-related cancer by 13 percent. Also, the WHO stated that an additional 8 centimeters around your waistline can increase your chances of developing bowel cancer by 15 percent. Obesity and excess weight are two of the biggest preventable causes of cancer behind smoking.

If you carry around excess belly fat, it can change the level of your sex hormones, cause your insulin levels to rise and lead to inflammation, which are all known factors of increased levels of cancer. There are 13 types of cancers associated with obesity and excess weight, and bowel cancer is the most common among people with excess belly fat.

Belly Fat is the Most Dangerous Fat
Aside from predicting certain cancer risks, belly fat is particularly troublesome because it is not limited to just one layer of fat. Instead, belly fat also includes visceral fat, which lies deep beneath the abdomen surrounding some of your internal organs. Although belly fat is most commonly linked to poor diet and lack of exercise, aging does play a role. While you age, you start to lose muscle mass and density, which affects how many calories your body burns. Dieticians suggest if you are over 50, you should eat 200 calories less than you did in your 30s.

How Body Weight Affects Cancer Risk
Studies suggest that excess belly fat affects several of your body's mechanisms, including the regulation of cell growth and how certain proteins affect your hormonal levels. These mechanisms may be specific to certain forms of cancer, but Cancer.org states the links between these mechanisms, belly fat and cancer are not yet fully understood.

Weight Loss and Cancer Risk
Evidence continues to show that losing weight, specifically losing belly fat, may reduce the risk of some cancers, including prostate cancer and breast cancer in women and men. Research shows that people who intentionally lose their belly fat reduce the levels of hormones in their bodies most commonly linked to some forms of cancer. A reduction in your hormone levels such as insulin, estrogen and androgen can significantly decrease your risk of cancer, especially aggressive forms of prostate cancer in men.

However, weight loss does far more than decrease your risk of developing cancer. Losing weight can decrease your chances of developing heart disease, diabetes and many other health-related issues. It also reduces your chances of sudden, premature death.

Foam Rolling and Its Fight Against Body Fat

Foam Rolling and Its Fight Against Body Fat

What Is a Foam Roller?

When you want to lose body fat, try using a foam roller device while exercising. A foam roller is a long cylinder that is designed for long-term use during exercise routines at home or at a gym. Foam rollers were originally designed for physical therapists to use on patients who required myofascial release on their sore muscles. Trainers also began to use foam rollers to reduce the pain in the muscles of athletes after they participated in a sport. 

How Foam Rollers Are Effective 

Today, manufacturers are making deluxe foam rollers that have handles, making it easier to use the items to soothe sore muscles while reducing your body fat. A foam roller is especially effective for eliminating the bumpy unattractive fat layers known as cellulite. You can use a foam roller on several areas of your body to apply pressure to cellulite in order to have a more attractive body. While using a foam roller, you want to apply pressure on certain areas of your body for 30 to 60 seconds.

Exercises Using a Foam Roller

You can find foam rollers at local or online stores, and you can use the items in various ways during your daily exercise routines. Here are five exercises to try at home to reduce your body fat.

1: Reduction of Fat On Your Back

Have a soft mat to perform exercise using foam rollers, and make sure to wear comfortable clothing. For this exercise, place the foam roller on the mat near where you will recline. While reclining, put the foam roller underneath your back and bend your knees while keeping your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands at your sides with your palms on the floor before lifting your body and rolling slightly with the foam roller underneath your back. 

2: Get Rid of Cellulite On The Front of Your Thighs

Turn over and place your hands on the floor to prop your body up in a slanted position with the tips of your toes on the soft mat. Roll the front of your thighs against the firm foam roller to smooth away the ugly cellulite fat. 

3: Arm Rolling

Next, kneel on the mat while placing the foam roller in front of your body. Bend down to place your arm on the foam roller before moving your arm along its surface to apply pressure against your skin. Repeat this exercise with the other arm for a few minutes. 

4: Back of the Thigh Foam Rolling

This technique is one of the most popular because it helps to eliminate the puckered cellulite fat that is on the back of your thighs. Sit on the soft mat before placing the foam roller under one of your ankles, and begin to roll the foam roller toward your upper thigh with your hands. Repeat this exercise ten times before switching to the other leg. 

5: Using a Foam Roller On the Outer Side of Your Thighs

Place the foam roller on the middle of the mat while perching yourself above it using your feet and hands. With this exercise, you must twist your body to one side in order to roll your outer thigh against the foam roller. Make sure to maintain your balance while you roll against the foam roller before switching to the other side and repeating the exercise.