Metabolism: The connection between fat, hormones, and cancer

The Role of Fat

One way to determine metabolic health is to measure the visceral fat on your body (midsection fat deposits), though individuals who look slimmer are also capable of developing metabolism-related issues. For the most part though, the occurrence of metabolic syndrome itself is largely predicted by the amount of visceral fat you possess.

As the amount of fat on your midsection increases, the harder it becomes for your body to conduct its functions (how this works is explained below!). An inefficient body complex has a hard time destroying and/or releasing toxins, and managing its energy consumption/expenditure. This can either trigger a dormant condition in someone that seems unrelated (for instance, the triggering of an autoimmune disease), and/or it can cause related systems (ex. endocrine system) to falter as a result.

Excesses! Glycerol, FFA, and Leptin

Fatty deposits release substances (like free fatty acids/FFA, glycerol and leptin) into the body and surrounding organs. Abdominal fat has been observed to release glycerol and FFA at a higher rate than fat deposits in other locations. Moreover, the abdominal cavity gives fat tissue access to many important organs, leading to issues like fatty liver.

While all of these substances are healthy for the body in balance, in excess they can build up and cause damage. Even excess leptin, which controls satiety, can cause the issue of leptin resistance. This causes the body to make more leptin, which makes you feel hunger signals even if you just ate (resulting in even more consumption, and fat gain).

On top of that, abdominal deposits also contribute to the creation of excess reactive oxygen species/free radicals (ROS) in the body, which cause oxidative stress. And as I mentioned before, oxidative stress is directly related to the development of various degrees of metabolic dysfunction.

So ultimately, the volume of fat you have on your body - especially the midsection - is significant. Even if you don’t possess any acute, noticeable issues at the moment. For instance, a “healthy” individual with increased fat deposits might find themselves down the line having to work hard to have a baby - an issue that seems unrelated.

Metabolism + Hormones

Metabolism and your hormones (and the whole endocrine system) are intimately related, because hormones regulate various important functions of the body. The endocrine system is extremely important!

Here are some of the processes that are dependent on hormonal health:

• reproduction (ex. determines fertility, reproductive hormone production)
• metabolism (ex. thyroid hormone)
• homeostatic function (ex. melatonin)
• growth/development (ex. growth hormone)
• insulin response (ex. reproductive hormones, cortisol)
• immune function (ex. reproductive hormones, cortisol)
• digestion/hunger (ex. leptin)
• mood/mental acuity (ex. dopamine, serotonin)

The endocrine system is responsible for helping to maintain homeostasis in different organ systems. Alterations in your hormonal health can impact different organ systems (depending on what’s going on in your body), and their ability to adequately use energy and carry out their processes.

This directly impacts metabolism. Therefore if your hormonal health suffers, your metabolic health will also suffer— and vice versa. When metabolism suffers as a result of lifestyle, or some form of triggered genetic predisposition, your endocrine system will also be thrown out of whack.

The Cancer Correlation

Newer research within the realm of cancer has been showing that cancer itself often functions as a metabolic disease. Although lower concentrations of free radicals can indeed cause cell proliferation (where mutated cells send signals that cause excessive cell multiplication), larger concentrations of free radicals that are associated with malignant tumors are observed to be caused by a reprogramming of cell metabolism.

The Process (super simplified):

A faulty metabolism can trigger conditions that create mitochondrial dysfunction.

This is a problem, because a dysfunctional mitochondria creates free radicals (reactive oxygen species/ROS), which go out and damage more cells/mitochondria. ROS damage cell components (specifically important enzymes), that ultimately make that cell’s DNA unstable. From there, cell mutations occur, mitochondria begins pumping out excess ROS, cell DNA becomes damaged so that cells begin to excessively multiply, and tumors are created.

As cells multiply to form tumors, they also create an excess of fermentation (replacing healthy cellular respiration with a form of respiration that doesn’t require oxygen). This results in reduced ATP production, and consequently our cells do not receive adequate energy to healthily function. 

So rather than being a problem dictated by a cell's nucleus, metabolic research has revealed that it's more an issue with the cell's mitochondria (and consequently it's damaged components). And living in chronic metabolic imbalance can eventually lead to cancer - even if you don’t quite know what caused it when it arises.

How to support your metabolism!

When it comes to supporting insulin resistance, and also reducing the amount of fat on your body, one cool thing you can do is explore the realm of fasting - even if it’s just for one day out of the month! Fasting prevents insulin resistance, initiating ketosis and autophagy. Ketosis describes the process in which your body uses fat as energy, while autophagy describes a pruning process where damaged cells are removed. This is very important, as cancer stems from an accumulation of dysfunctional cells that eventually mutate.

Here are some basic things you can do to support your diet:

• limit ultra processed foods
• prioritize nutrients + fiber 
• eat adequate protein
• mind your gut microbiome
• consider fasting occasionally (autophagy helps prune damaged cells)

Fun fact: Fiber helps prevent cancer by balancing blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

It’s also great to prioritize zone 2 cardio if you aren’t living a generally active life. Zone 2 looks like taking a brisk walk, where you can hold a conversation - but maybe not belt out your favorite song. Zone 2 cardio is the most effective at reducing body fat. Coupled with the increased metabolism of someone who has a healthy level of muscle, these two forms of exercise increase longevity by a mile (pun intended).

Here are some tips!

• commit to the process of building + maintaining a healthy level of muscle mass (2 days of full body, or 3-4 days of more focused training)
• go for brisk walks (some form of moderate-effort cardio)

*finding a sport that you like can be helpful

Hormone Health

The importance of hormone balance was discussed in a previous section, but one thing that I wanted to touch upon was the concept of cortisol. Cortisol is the “stress hormone”, which leads to inflammation if it isn’t balanced by a return to baseline. Cortisol negatively impacts multiple body systems when present chronically, and living a high stress life is the perfect way to trigger autoimmune conditions, and other metabolic issues.

Here are some ways that you can support your hormonal health:

• explore activities + practices that help manage cortisol/stress
• reduce exposure to endocrine disrupters
• regular movement
• regular sun
• good food that supports your endocrine system
  
  

Fun fact: Chronic, elevated cortisol is largely responsible for midsection fat retention. This can both trigger and/or perpetuate metabolic issues.

Although it comes as no surprise, the best way to prevent and treat metabolism-related issues is to make adjustments to your lifestyle. Stress and endocrine disruption (caused by environmental and dietary toxins) are two major causes of metabolic syndrome/related conditions these days, so please be sure to reset your nervous system! And though it doesn't happen overnight, reducing toxin exposure by becoming a conscious consumer is always going to do more good then harm.