Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus, with some strains leading to cervical cancer and other health issues. While HPV studies typically focus on sexual factors or gynecological infections in women, emerging research emphasizes the significant role of lifestyle factors like physical activity and diet in preventing and managing HPV infections. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity, diet balance, sleep quality, depression, and anxiety, impact personal wellness. This article explores the connection between lifestyle choices, particularly diet and exercise, and HPV outcomes, providing evidence-based recommendations for reducing HPV infection risk.
The Link Between Lifestyle and HPV Infection
Recent studies have illuminated the association between lifestyle factors and HPV infection. For instance, a cross-sectional study conducted in Shenzhen, Mainland China, investigated the relationship between lifestyle factors and HPV infection among women. Participants were recruited through a digital eHealth platform, and data on lifestyle factors, along with cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) samples, were collected to test for HPV outcomes. The eHealth platform also recorded age and current or history diseases, which were adjusted to apply for both univariable and multivariable logistic regression.
The study revealed that physical activity and diet balance were significantly associated with HPV infection. However, stratified analysis showed three factors were insignificant for HPV infection - namely, sleep quality, depression, and anxiety. This suggests that physical inactivity or diet imbalance can significantly increase HPV infection risk.
The Role of Diet in HPV Prevention
A balanced and varied diet appears to play a crucial role in HPV prevention. Epidemiological research has shown that a diet balance is associated with decreasing cancer mortality. The study in China found that the prevalence of HPV infection was significantly lower in women with more varied and balanced diets than those with less balanced diets. Participants were assessed for diet balance and HPV infection through questionnaires and HPV genotyping assay tests. Diet balance was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. This data was used to calculate the dietary diversity score (DDS) for each participant, which is a measure of the variety of different food groups consumed. A higher DDS indicates a more balanced diet.
Specific Dietary Recommendations
To improve diet balance and potentially reduce HPV infection risk, the following recommendations are suggested:
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- Increase fruit and vegetable consumption: Eating one or more servings of certain vegetables daily may help the body eliminate the virus. Vegetables in the study included sweet potatoes, spinach, kale and other greens, papaya, oranges, sweet peppers, and tomatoes. A diet high in fruits and vegetables did not increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Ensure adequate intake of vitamin A: Consumption of dairy products and animal foods consisting of vitamin A is recommended.
- Consume more fruits and vegetables: Intake more fruits (e.g., tomatoes) or vegetables to achieve a stable diet balance. A diet with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables and a lower intake of fat and sugar, therefore, may have a protective effect against HPV infection.
- Consider folate intake: There is some evidence that diet, including the intake of folate (a vitamin found in a wide range of foods including leafy green vegetables, fruits and nuts) may influence not only how readily a person becomes infected with HPV, but also how quickly that person gets rid of the virus after infection.
The Impact of Exercise on HPV Risk
Regular physical activity is another key lifestyle factor associated with reduced HPV infection risk. The World Health Organization has recommended a 10% increase in physical activity by 2020. The study in China found that patients with a high level of physical activity were less likely to be infected with HPV than participants with a low level of physical activity. This suggests that regular physical activity also protects against HPV infection.
Recommended Exercise Levels
To decrease HPV infection risk through physical activity, women infected with HPV are recommended to undertake higher levels of physical activity. The high-activity group included women who reported engaging in more than 300 minutes of moderate-intensity or more than 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week.
Earlier studies have suggested two possible approaches for increasing physical activity:
- Vigorous intensive activity to achieve a minimum overall physical activity of no less than 1500 metabolic equivalents of task (MET) minutes for at least 3 days per week.
Study Details
The study recruited 495 women aged 18 to 59 years through a digital eHealth platform. Participants were assessed for physical activity, diet balance and HPV infection through questionnaires and HPV genotyping assay tests. Physical activity was evaluated using self-reported questionnaires, where participants were asked about their frequency and duration of physical activity in the past year. Participants were then classified into three levels of physical activity: low, moderate and high. Women who engaged in more than 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week had lower rates of HPV infection than their more sedentary peers.
Additional Considerations
- eHealth platforms: The study also highlighted the benefits of communication via an eHealth platform, where participants actively responded to HPV advice and received weekly livestream training modules with advice about HPV self-sampling and cervical cancer prevention courses.
- HPV Serotypes: Most HPV infections in the study (83%) involved a sole HPV serotype - a distinct variation of the HPV virus. There are about 200 serotypes of HPV, with only two types causing about 70% of cervical cancer cases. A balanced and varied diet was the most significant difference between sole and multiple HPV infections.
Limitations
It's important to acknowledge the limitations of the current research. Other lifestyle factors might affect common HPV clearance risk, such as sexual behavior, smoking, or alcohol consumption. Also, studies may be limited to more well-off areas, potentially introducing geographical bias.
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