‘Cancer’ is a pretty scary and far too-commonly used word now-a-days.
With cancer rates of all kinds consistently increasing, we have to ask ourselves what the source of this epidemic is.
As it turns out, a HUGE part of the problem is our new, sedentary, gluttonous lifestyles that many westernized people have adopted as ‘normal’.
However, no one likes to hear this kind of information because it tends to place the blame on the individual, while also putting the power in the hands of the individual, without giving them a ‘quick-fix’.
RELATED: Western Diet May Reduce Survival Odds for Prostate Cancer
The power that we individually, and only we individually, have is the power over our own lifestyle choices and decisions – but unfortunately, making the ‘right’ or ‘smart’ decision can be really tough at times.
Nevertheless, researchers have discovered that living what they call a ‘healthy lifestyle’ can reduce your risk of prostate cancer by 40%.
They consider a healthy lifestyle to be the following:
- Not currently smoking, or a history of heavy smoking
- Two or fewer alcoholic beverages a day
- Maintaining a BMI between 19 and 25
- Moderate exercise for a minimum of 150 min/week
This combination of consistent healthy lifestyle choices is one of the strongest cancer-preventing methods out there, although each factor is also extremely important separately.
For instance, the same chemicals in cigarettes that cause lung cancer also alter our hormone levels, such as insulin. Increased insulin levels are associated with aggressive prostate cancer.
RELATED: U.S. Sees Sharp Decline in Prostate Cancer Screenings
Also, drinking too much alcohol can create a compound that has the potential to damage DNA, and therefore spark cancer-causing mutations.
Both smoking and drinking promote increased inflammation as well, which encourages all cells, including cancer cells, to divide and multiply rapidly.
Of course, we have long known that living this kind of healthy lifestyle is beneficial to our overall well-being, but the extent to which it can decrease our risk of contracting cancer specifically is something that is more than noteworthy.
Bottom line: each of these four lifestyle factors can provide health benefits independently, but when used simultaneously in harmony with one another, you are a walking, talking, cancer-fighting machine!
Article Curated from:
Men’s Health
