Obesity induces DNA damage

A diet rich in saturated lipids, refined carbohydrates associated with a sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity in both adults and children. Obesity is associated with the existence of a chronic inflammatory process, that will further lead to systemic oxidative stress and DNA oxidative damage. There is currently a positive correlation between obesity and cancer due to nuclear but also mitochondrial DNA injury. Obesity is a risk factor for the development of several types of cancer such as breast, prostate or colorectal. The purpose of this review is to present the effects of obesity on human body, by describing the chronic inflammatory process, oxidative stress, and the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer progression.