04/27/2022 – 15:30
61 percent less
Three simple things that massively reduce the risk of cancer
Photo: Getty Images/Westend61
It doesn’t have to be a marathon. Even moderate exercise reduces the risk of cancer.
The risk of cancer is said to drop by up to 61 percent if three simple things are implemented. This is the result of a study from Switzerland. You can find out what these are here.
Omega-3 fish oil, vitamin D and a basic exercise program – according to a recent study, these are the three things that significantly reduce the risk of cancer, by a whopping 61 percent.
Three things that significantly reduce the risk of cancer
One investigation with participants who were older than 70 years has now shown that taking omega-3 fish oil and vitamin D and a small exercise program significantly reduce the risk of cancer. This is reported by fitbook.de
Previous studies have already shown that vitamin D can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Omega-3 can also stop the conversion of normal cells into cancer cells. In addition, exercise has been shown to improve immune function and reduce inflammation, which can also help prevent cancer, according to the newly published study. So far, however, there have been no reliable clinical studies that can prove the extent to which a combination of all three protects against cancer. This is where the work of the University Hospital Zurich comes in.
Around 2,150 adults aged 70 and over from five European countries – Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria and Portugal – took part in the study. All were healthy at the start of the study, with no cancer diagnoses.
As part of the study, the participants were divided into eight groups in which one or more of the components – vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and exercise – were used:
- Take 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 (200 percent of the daily requirement) and 1 g of omega-3 fatty acids in combination with strength training (SHEP)
- Vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin D3 and SHEP
- Omega-3 fatty acids and SHEP
- Vitamin D3 alone
- Omega-3 fatty acids alone
- SHEP alone
- a placebo
Over a period of three years, the participants then regularly took part in tests and health examinations. During this time, 81 cases of cancer were diagnosed.
Combination brought the greatest success
The scientists observed improvements in all eight groups. Even taking the placebo reduced the risk of cancer somewhat. However, the values of one group were particularly convincing, here a reduction in the risk of cancer by 61 percent was found. “This is the first randomized controlled trial to show that the combination of daily vitamin D3, supplemental omega-3 fatty acids, and a simple at-home exercise program can be effective in preventing cancer in older adults,” said study author Dr. Heike Bischoff Ferrari.
Preventing cancer still plays far too little a role given that the risk of cancer increases noticeably with age, according to the scientist. “Preventive efforts in middle-aged and older adults are largely limited to screening and vaccination,” explains Bischoff-Ferrari in one University notice. While it’s generally recommended not to smoke and to use sunscreen, she doesn’t think that’s enough. The current study now shows that a lot can be achieved with little effort. “Our results could prove beneficial in reducing the overall cancer burden.”
________________
Sources: fitbook.de, frontiersin.org
More information on the topic Cancer can be found here and on our topic page:
health
health
Everything about health and nutrition
show description