Sami Mansfield: What if improving metabolic health could reduce cancer risks and improve outcomes?
Sami Mansfield, Founder of Cancer Wellness for Life, shared a post on LinkedIn about a recent paper by Ruoyang Jiao et al. published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
“What if improving metabolic health could reduce cancer risks and improve outcomes?
(And no it’s not just about weight loss)
This is an area where I see there is a role for the GLP-1 weight loss drugs that are the topic of many conversations.
Recent research shows GLP-1 receptor agonists don’t just aid weight management—they significantly improve metabolic health by targeting fat distribution and reducing harmful visceral fat.
While opinions on these medications may be deeply divided, their staying power is undeniable—making it crucial to understand their impact for the benefit of our patients.
Here’s what the science reveals:
- Visceral Fat Reduction: Users experienced a significant drop in visceral fat (-14.61 cm²), the dangerous fat linked to chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.
- Stable Muscle Composition: Despite a modest reduction in lean mass (-1.02 kg), the muscle-to-fat ratio remained stable—ensuring metabolic improvements without compromising strength.
- Metabolic Boosters: GLP-1 agonists enhance satiety, reduce ectopic fat (like liver fat), and improve insulin sensitivity, addressing the root causes of metabolic dysfunction.
Why This Matters:
Reducing visceral fat isn’t just about managing weight—it’s about combating systemic inflammation and lowering the risks associated with chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
For patients with a history of metabolic disease or conditions like cancer, this approach can deliver life-changing health benefits, especially when paired with interventions like resistance training and a nutrient-dense diet.
Let’s rethink how we approach metabolic health: less about the number on the scale and more about improving the quality of life at the cellular level.
Two important factors
- Resistance Strength Training – focused on muscle and power
- Protein intake (ideally .8 – 1 g/lb ideal body weight)
Both of these also improve function, energy, and other overall health and wellness goals!”
Authors: Ruoyang Jiao, Chu Lin, Xiaoling Cai, Jingxuan Wang, Yuan Wang, Fang Lv, Wenjia Yang, Linong Ji.
More posts featuring Sami Mansfield.
Sami (Papacek) Mansfield is the founder of Cancer Wellness for Life. She’s been a certified cancer exercise specialist since 2003 and has dedicated her career to implementing evidence-based lifestyle education, resources and tools into cancer care for both the patients and the providers.
She is also a Chair of Cancer Member Interest Group, at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and Breast Cancer Taskforce Co-Chair at Colorado Cancer Coalition.
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