Originally
published December 19 2006
by Jerome
Douglas
(NewsTarget) A report from the Mayo Clinic College revealed that a study begun
2003 found those with the highest physical activity levels had a 14 percent
lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who got low levels of
exercise. The study looked at more than 36,000 women aged 55 to 69.
The connection between
exercise and reduced body fat is not 100 percent clear at this time, as the
major source of estrogen in post-menopausal women may also be playing a role,
according to the study.
The report also stated
"Further studies are needed to confirm these novel findings, and to
evaluate similar relationships among premenopausal women … if found to be
causally related to breast cancer, physical activity
would have a substantial public health effect on the prevention of this
disease, along with its other positive health benefits."
Another unrelated study
published in the same journal stated that people who slim down by cutting
calories may also be losing bone density -- something that does not happen if weight loss comes through
exercise. The study -- carried out by doctors from the Washington School of
Medicine -- looked at 48 adults involved variously in weight loss by caloric
restrictions or exercise.
With bone loss possibly leading
to fractures and osteoporosis later in life, the second study stated that
"A common explanation given for the bone loss induced by weight loss is
reduction in mechanical stress on the weight-bearing skeleton (the hip and
spine)." When muscles pull on bones during exercise, it is thought to
produce strains in the skeleton that stimulate new bone production.
Hence, exercise may be
responsible for triggering the body into producing new bone mass. The
Washington study went on to say "These findings have important
implications in designing an appropriate weight-loss therapy program in
middle-aged adults, particularly in the subset of patients who may already be
at increased risk for bone fracture."
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