The Mediterranean diet, a nutritional model inspired by the most common elements in Italy, is renowned all over the world for its goodness and healthiness. In our country, therefore, the culinary tradition is on the side of health; however, the problem is the excess of food. Professor Alberto Mantovani, scientific director at Humanitas, wrote an article in the Press about obesity and how this condition can be a risk factor for cancer.
Our country, second to Greece, has the largest number of overweight and obese children, with extremely negative consequences on the present and future health of these children. An important warning sign, especially at a time when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Oms Agency) certifies that obesity is a carcinogen, i. e. it causes cancer, and to be precise, thirteen types of cancer.
Why does obesity cause cancer?
The reasons may be different. For a long time it has been thought that the main cause was because it induces an overproduction of estrogen hormones, present in adipose tissue: breast cancer, for example, can be promoted by an excessive amount of estrogen. Today, however, the emphasis is on inflammation: obesity causes cancer because it is associated with changes in metabolism and inflammatory and immune response. Thanks to recent advances in research, we know that there are many cells – more than half of the total – in the immune system inside the adipose tissue. These include, in particular, macrophages, which are disoriented by confused signs coming from excess fat, produce inflammatory cytokines that cause serious damage to our metabolism, leading to metabolic syndrome. Cytokines are the molecules with which the immune system communicates: we can think of them as “words” that have the task of recalling – in the right quantity, at the right time and place – the white blood cells that protect us from infections. However, in excessive quantities or when they are not necessary, they can become harmful. Inflammation mediators therefore play an important role in the development of certain obesity-related diseases, including adult diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
How to intervene?
It is therefore necessary to undertake actions and campaigns to raise awareness and education on this issue. As poverty is associated with the increased frequency of overweight people, those who pay – and will pay – the highest price of this situation are the weakest sections of the population.
Let’s start from the “deposits” from our food tradition. On one hand, digging into them from a molecular point of view: deepening scientific research to identify, in different foods, the molecules responsible for the mechanisms of protection from diseases. On the other hand, by enhancing these deposits, i.e. by using them as much as possible in our diet, returning to a Mediterranean diet.
The good quality of life starts at the table and continues with the right lifestyles. The advice is to follow the 0-5-30 rule: zero cigarettes, at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables per day and thirty minutes of moderate exercise per day. A healthy lifestyle helps to avoid excess weight as well as the risk of cancer, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases,” concluded Prof. Mantovani.
