rainbowflower
January 24th, 2013, 01:44 PM
https://www.fhcrc.org/en/news/releases/2012/05/ann-mctiernan-breast-cancer-weight-loss-sex-hormones.html
At the end of the study, the researchers found significant reductions in hormone levels among the women who received the dietary weight loss intervention, with the most striking results among those who both dieted and exercised:
· Estrone levels decreased 9.6 percent with diet and 11.1 percent with diet plus exercise.
· Estradiol levels decreased 16.2 percent with diet and 20.3 percent with diet plus exercise.
· Free-estradiol levels decreased 21.4 percent with diet and 26 percent with diet plus exercise.
· SHBG levels increased 22.4 percent with diet and 25.8 percent with diet plus exercise.
· Free-testosterone levels decreased 10 percent with diet and 15.6 percent with diet plus exercise.
The researchers found that losing as little as 5 percent of one’s total body weight had a beneficial impact on hormone levels, and the effect increased with the amount of weight lost.
“The amount of weight lost was key to changes in hormone levels,” McTiernan said. “The biggest effect was through diet plus exercise; exercise by itself didn’t produce much of a change in weight or estrogen.” However, exercise has many important benefits for those on a weight-loss program, she noted. Exercise prevents loss of muscle and bone, and it helps keep off the weight long term. “I recommend women both diet and exercise, because in the long run that should help keep weight down and therefore keep estrogens down,” she said.
This is the first study to show that losing weight through a healthy diet that included reducing calories, reducing fat and increasing vegetables, fruits and fiber significantly lowers blood estrogen levels in postemenopausal women, McTiernan said. “This shows that it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk for breast cancer.”
At the end of the study, the researchers found significant reductions in hormone levels among the women who received the dietary weight loss intervention, with the most striking results among those who both dieted and exercised:
· Estrone levels decreased 9.6 percent with diet and 11.1 percent with diet plus exercise.
· Estradiol levels decreased 16.2 percent with diet and 20.3 percent with diet plus exercise.
· Free-estradiol levels decreased 21.4 percent with diet and 26 percent with diet plus exercise.
· SHBG levels increased 22.4 percent with diet and 25.8 percent with diet plus exercise.
· Free-testosterone levels decreased 10 percent with diet and 15.6 percent with diet plus exercise.
The researchers found that losing as little as 5 percent of one’s total body weight had a beneficial impact on hormone levels, and the effect increased with the amount of weight lost.
“The amount of weight lost was key to changes in hormone levels,” McTiernan said. “The biggest effect was through diet plus exercise; exercise by itself didn’t produce much of a change in weight or estrogen.” However, exercise has many important benefits for those on a weight-loss program, she noted. Exercise prevents loss of muscle and bone, and it helps keep off the weight long term. “I recommend women both diet and exercise, because in the long run that should help keep weight down and therefore keep estrogens down,” she said.
This is the first study to show that losing weight through a healthy diet that included reducing calories, reducing fat and increasing vegetables, fruits and fiber significantly lowers blood estrogen levels in postemenopausal women, McTiernan said. “This shows that it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk for breast cancer.”