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The researchers made an unexpected finding: Women in the top fifth of energy density were 10 percent more likely to be diagnosed with an obesity-related cancer compared to the bottom fifth, and this relationship was found in women who were at a normal weight at baseline.2<\/sup>\u00a0These cancers\u00a0include<\/a>\u00a0colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, ovarian, liver, kidney, gallbladder, and postmenopausal breast cancers.1<\/sup>\u00a0This increase in risk was associated with the calorie density of the women\u2019s diets.2<\/sup><\/p>\nThe results suggested:\u00a0If you choose low-nutrient, energy-dense foods, it will affect your health even if it doesn\u2019t affect your waistline.\u00a0<\/strong>Just because you\u2019re slim doesn\u2019t mean junk food isn\u2019t damaging your health.<\/p>\n Dietary energy density in this study was defined as the number of calories per gram in a food of the entire diet. For the most part, typical high energy-dense foods, such as baked goods, French fries, burgers, pizza and desserts, are low in nutrient density (micronutrients per gram). High nutrient-dense foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and legumes, tend to be low in energy density.<\/p>\n Following a diet that is high in nutrient density and low in energy density is essential for good health. This is the origin of my health equation\u00a0H = N\/C<\/a>\u00a0(Health = Nutrients per Calorie). A high ratio of micronutrients to calories is the basis of a healthful diet.<\/p>\n Obesity contributes to cancer in a variety of ways: for example, excess fat tissue causes a state of low-grade inflammation, promotes insulin resistance, and produces estrogen.1,3-5<\/sup>\u00a06<\/sup>\u00a0However, calorie-rich junk food has effects \u2013\u00a0other than weight gain \u2013\u00a0that could contribute to cancer development:<\/p>\n When you eat a diet with more micronutrients and fewer calories, you age more slowly, and also improve immune system protection against cancer.\u00a0 When you eat excess calories, especially excess calories that do not contain a significant micronutrient load, you accelerate aging and increase your risk of cancer.\u00a0 You can exercise off those extra calories, but they will still negatively affect your health. It is not enough to be at a healthy weight \u2013 you must actually eat healthfully to age more slowly, prevent cancer, and live a long healthy life.<\/p>\n Originally printed on DrFuhrman.com<\/a>. Reprinted with permission from Dr. Fuhrman.<\/em><\/p>\nEnergy density vs. nutrient density<\/h2>\n
How energy density might promote cancer<\/h2>\n
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