The latest lethal consequence of obesity

I know I discuss the dangers of obesity often.

But I want to make one thing crystal clear: When I encourage you to cut out sugar and carbs in order to lose weight, those recommendations come from a fierce commitment to health—not vanity.

Because as I’m always telling you, your life depends on it. And that’s not an exaggeration.

Another obesity-related cancer emerges

This just in: Researchers have directly linked thyroid cancer to obesity. And we’re not just talking a small correlation.

As with most scientific conclusions, a number is worth a thousand words. And recent research shows that people with BMIs in the overweight range (between 25 and 29.9) have a 25 percent higher risk of thyroid cancer. And an obese BMI (over 30) raises the risk by 30 percent.

If that doesn’t scare you, get this: Among patients with thyroid tumors larger than 4 centimeters, the risk association was even higher. In fact, overweight patients faced a nearly 300 percent higher risk. And among the obese, the risk was a whopping 542 percent higher.

Of course, it’s not the link to obesity that made the researchers’ jaws drop (that part is pretty much a given, even in mainstream circles)—it was the link to larger tumors (called papillary thyroid cancers, or PTC) specifically.

There are a couple of potential explanations for this risk association. One explanation is that it’s simply harder to detect tumors in the necks of overweight and obese patients during a physical exam when those tumors are smaller.

But it’s equally possible (and, I would argue, likely)—that obesity directly fuels tumor growth. And might even be linked to a more aggressive form of cancer.

Thousands of preventable diagnoses

Rates of thyroid cancer have more than tripled in the U.S. since 1980. From as few as two out of every 100,000 men, and six out of every 100,000 women… to almost eight out of every 100,000 men, and more than 22 out of every 100,000 women.

Papillary cancer is responsible for the lion’s share of these increases. And while the numbers themselves may not be so high, it’s worth noting that thyroid cancer deaths are also, sadly, on a dramatic upswing. (When I was in medical school, these cases were very rare.)

Tragically, we’ve now reached a point where a staggering 40 percent of all adults in this country are obese. And PTC joins a list of more than a dozen obesity-related cancers that you can prevent simply by losing weight.

Think about that the next time someone suggests dessert. I guarantee you it will make saying “no” a whole lot easier.

P.S. Sure, it might be easy to say “lose weight.” But I realize how difficult that can be, which is why I created my latest book, The A-List Diet, a scientific weight-loss plan that can be specifically tailored to you.

I also discuss dozens of natural, science-backed strategies for preventing, fighting, and even reversing all types of cancer in my Essential Protocol to Cancer-Free Future. Click here to learn more, or to sign up today.

Source:

“Obesity Underlies the Rise in US Papillary Thyroid Cancers.” Medscape Medical News, 03/29/2019. (medscape.com/viewarticle/911086)