High levels of iron and lipids in the blood may increase the risk of developing cancer. The findings of American scientists will pave the way for new approaches in treating and preventing this disease.
“Iron and lipids combine to create oxidative stress – a factor that plays a role in the development of cancer,” said Dr. Arch G. Mainous III from the University of South Carolina.
Mainous and his team examined the cancer risk in approximately 3,000 individuals with high levels of iron and lipids. The study participants were at least 30 years old when they began the study, which took place from 1979 to 1982, and they were followed until 1996-1997. Their blood was tested for iron levels and three types of cholesterol: HDL, LDL, and VLDL. Among these, HDL is the type of cholesterol that contains very low lipid levels.
The results showed that excessive iron in the blood increased the risk of developing cancer by 66%, while high levels of VLDL cholesterol raised the risk by 54%. If both of these micronutrients were elevated simultaneously, the risk of cancer could increase by as much as 168%. Additionally, high iron levels combined with low HDL cholesterol also raised the risk to a similar extent. This evidence suggests that reducing iron and lipids in individuals with excess levels of these micronutrients could be considered a cancer prevention strategy.
