Fit ‘n’ Healthy: Exciting New Studies

From research published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention London: Muscular men who pump iron are up to 40 per cent less likely to die from cancer.

This was concluded from a new study by an international team of researchers. The international researchers showed when it comes to protecting the body against deadly tumours, muscular strength is as important as staying slim and eating healthily.

To reach the conclusion, a team of experts, led by scientists from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, tracked the lifestyles of 8,677 men aged between 20 and 82 for more than two decades.

Each volunteer had regular medical checkups that included tests of their muscular strength, reports The Telegraph.

Between 1980 and 2003, researchers monitored how many developed cancer and subsequently died from it.

The results showed that men who regularly worked out with weights and had the highest muscle strength were between 30 and 40 per cent less likely to lose their life to a deadly tumour.

The researchers said, “In the light of these results, it is important to maintain healthy muscular strength levels. It’s possible to reduce cancer mortality rates in men by promoting resistance training, involving the major muscle groups, at least two days a week.”

In the same month, new research, again published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, is released linking drinking to pancreatic cancer.

The research pools data collected from 14 research studies, which included 862,664 individuals (319,716 men and 542,948 women). Information about dietary and environmental exposures were collected prior to diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.

Researchers identified 2,187 individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during the study.

“This is one of the largest studies ever to look at dietary factors in relation to pancreatic cancer risk,” says lead author Jeanine M. Genkinger, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

If individuals consumed 30 or more grams of alcohol per day (approximately two drinks), compared with no alcohol per day, their risk of pancreatic cancer was slightly increased, researchers said.

A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, four ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled liquor.

Although there was no statistically significant difference between men and women when comparing alcohol intake with risk of pancreatic cancer, the association was seen in women at two or more drinks per day.

Comparatively, the researchers observed a higher risk among men who consumed three or more drinks a day.

No difference was observed by type of alcohol when comparing beer, distilled liquor or wine, according to Genkinger.

“Despite being a deadly disease, there are few known risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer. At this point, it’s important to understand any protective or risk factors for this dangerous disease even if the risks are weak or modest,” the expert added.

It’s true: take care of yourself and your body will take care of you

This column is provided by Peak Fitness. Mrs. Lee Randell is an ACE-certified personal trainer. Contact information and past articles are available at www.pkfitness.yk.ca/Clients. Anyone who wants to begin an exercise program should consult their physician first.

This column is provided by Mrs. Lee Randell, independent fitness consultant, who is an ACE certified advanced health and fitness specialist and personal trainer. You can reach her at www.mrsleerandell.com.

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