Obesity and its related metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance,\r\nalterations in the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) axis, and\r\nthe state of chronic inflammation, increase the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and\r\nhepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, these findings also indicate that the metabolic\r\ndisorders caused by obesity might be effective targets to prevent the development of\r\nCRC and HCC in obese individuals. Green tea catechins (GTCs) possess anticancer and\r\nchemopreventive properties against cancer in various organs, including the colorectum and\r\nliver. GTCs have also been known to exert anti-obesity, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory\r\neffects, indicating that GTCs might be useful for the prevention of obesity-associated\r\ncolorectal and liver carcinogenesis. Further, branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), which\r\nimprove protein malnutrition and prevent progressive hepatic failure in patients with\r\nchronic liver diseases, might be also effective for the suppression of obesity-related\r\ncarcinogenesis because oral supplementation with BCAA reduces the risk of HCC in obese\r\ncirrhotic patients. BCAA shows these beneficial effects because they can improve insulin\r\nresistance. Here, we review the detailed relationship between metabolic abnormalities and\r\nthe development of CRC and HCC. We also review evidence, especially that based on our\r\nbasic and clinical research using GTCs and BCAA, which indicates that targeting\r\nmetabolic abnormalities by either pharmaceutical or nutritional intervention may be an\r\neffective strategy to prevent the development of CRC and HCC in obese individuals.
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