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A low-protein, low-calorie diet might prevent the development of some cancers, according to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers. Previous research has established that being overweight increases breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer and esophageal cancer risks but this research indicates findings to suggest that a low-protein, low-calorie diet offers protection in addition and independent of a healthy weight.

What you are eating seems to be as important as how much you eat.

A low-protein, low-calorie diet lowers the levels of a plasma growth insulin-like factor called IGF-1 and hormones responsible for increased cancer risks. High levels of IGF-1 is associated with some cancers and cell proliferation.

The participants in the study were divided into three groups: low-protein, low-calorie, raw food vegetarians; endurance runners who ate a diet higher in calories and protein than the vegetarians; and sedentary people who consumed a diet rich in sugars, processed refined grains and animal products.

Not surprisingly, the sedentary group fared the worst in IGF-1 and hormone levels. However, because exercise is known to provide a cancer prevention benefit, it is a little surprising that the endurance runners had higher levels of IGF-1 and hormone levels that increase the risk of cancer. This has led researchers to the conclusion that the amount of protein and calories consumed plays a greater role than exercise alone in offering optimum cancer prevention.

"Many people are eating too many animal products - such as meat, cheese, eggs and butter - as well as refined grains and free sugars," states Luigi Fontana, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine at Washington University. "Our intake of vegetables and fruits is low, and beans are vastly underconsumed in the U.S. and Europe these days. We hope to further clarify what happens to cancer risk when we are chronically eating more protein than we need."

It's not surprising marathon runners face an increased risk of skin cancer due to long-term sun exposure. What's surprising is that so many are not taking measures to protect themselves from the sun's damaging rays.

A team of Austrian researchers, all of them dermatologists, became interested in studying long-distance runners when they realized they had collectively treated eight ultra-marathon runners with malignant skin cancer over a period of 10 years. All researchers are themselves enthusiastic runners, and two of them participate in marathons. The topic was near and dear to their hearts.

Research was conducted on white runners, so it is unclear if the findings -- listed below -- apply to black runners.

• Only 56 percent of runners in the study reported wearing sunscreen. Most were unaware of the increased risk to their skin -- and even the running researchers report it is good to be reminded to wear the right gear and regularly use sunscreen

• Many runners race with a lot of skin exposed. And sometimes training clothing covers different areas than racing clothing. Shoulders that are covered during training may be exposed during the long hours of a marathon. During triathlons, most wear a bathing suit for the duration of the event, leaving most skin susceptible to burning. Runners can lower their risk by training during morning and evening hours and wearing water-resistant sunscreen. They can wear clothing made of new fabrics that screen harmful ultraviolet rays.

• It's possible that endurance athletes may have suppressed immune systems caused by repeated tissue damage, leaving them more vulnerable to skin cancer.

While some marathon runners take pride in a bronzed skin -- proof they are running in the elements -- researchers hope runners will consider the risk they face. In some races, volunteers offer to quickly apple sunscreen on athletes who don't want to lose precious seconds as they race for the finish line. It's a start.