Is sugar good to eat?

Ka-Loni

Hello, I better ask someone. I just love sweets, and I do know they contribute to my weight gain. Should us breastcancer survivors eat sugar? Is it good or not good for cancer? I hear things about it, but I would like to know for sure. Thanks.

God Bless,
Kaloni

mkl48

Kaloni,
I will be interested in the answers you get. There certainly is come controversy and also unknowns about the role of high glycemic carbs and breast cancer. Some will talk about how a pet scan uses glucose uptake to dx cancer, but the relationship has not been proven as conclusively in dietary intake. It is true that diabetics do not tend to do as well with BC which does point to a possible insulin regulation association which may not be causation.Beth

BlindedByScience

Sugar is probably not good for anyone. But we have a lot of it in our food in places most people wouldn't think to look. Campbells Tomato Soup for example.

Sugar may affect tumor growth. This isn't meant to be a complete picture, but one thing sugar and other simple carbohydrates can do is cause a spike in our insulin levels. Tied directly to this sudden production of insulin, is an increase in a compound called insulin-like growth factor (IGF).

IGF is one of the triggers that causes children to grow. IGF can also stimulate the growth of tumors.

The higher insulin levels can also stimulate the production of testosterone which may also have a role in bc.

http://health.msn.com/centers/breastcancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100109112

Research also consistently links high levels of the hormone insulin and insulin-like growth factors with increased rates of breast cancer, at least after menopause. Women with high insulin levels have lower rates of breast cancer survival, too. These women tend to suffer a complex of changes known as the metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by high insulin levels that are less effective at controlling blood sugars. People with this condition tend to have low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides, and a greater risk of diabetes. Some scientists think that the amount of insulin and insulin-like growth factors in these women stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. Others suggest that the cancer risk comes from insulin raising testosterone levels.

Sugar can also affect mood. For example, say we're having a bad day and decide to eat a snack. If we eat potato chips, cookies or drink a soda on an otherwise empty stomach, the simple carbs cause a rapid increase in our blood sugar. When this happens we clear all of the amino acids (from protein) from our blood except tryptophan. Tryptophan is used to make serotonin. We make serotonin then, and it helps to give us a sense of well-being. When our blood sugar drops, the serotonin levels drop and we need to eat another doughnut to start the cycle over again & feel better....

There are a lot of articles on the web - google 'sugar serotonin stress' to find them.

twink

I bought a book...'what to eat if you have cancer' or something like that...if you're interested I'll get the actual title. In the book, sugar is specifically addressed in a way that made sense to me.... cancer cells are fast growing and they will uptake the sugar before slower growing cells (hence many of tests like PET/CT, rely on quick uptake of glucose by cancer cells to make the cancer visible...they 'light up' in scans). The book says exactly that, cancer cells will gobble the sugar before the regular cells do and recommends limiting sugar intake and not eating sugar (in any form) on an empty stomach.

nancysmile

I heard that there are no cancer cells where there is no sugar. Sugar is the worst thing but the hardest to give up! Fruit sugar is better than processed at least.

BlindedByScience

All sugar--whether processed or from fruit--gets converted to glucose to be used by our bodies. Processed sugar concentrates the plant sugar (from sugar cane or beets) and makes it so easy to eat a lot. Whole fruit sugars come with some vitamins & minerals and other valuable things.

Sugar makes our insulin levels spike and then we release a growth hormone. This may be a stimulant for bc to grow. So the connection may be an indirect one. I've heard a lot of authors promote what is essentially a low glycemic diet with lots of plant foods.

Happymom

I asked my Oncologist (very respected in my town) about this the other day. They found a new lump in my lung and we are watching. I asked him if sugar was bad and could increase my chances for more cancer or increase cancer cells. He said it had not been officially linked. I told him how I love to have a little chocolate everyday and he said that was ok. I was worried also and hear a lot of people talking about it at a Breast Cancer Conference. I am sure like others say - it's not very good. But for me, I think for now the sugar is better for me. I am not sure when my life will end (I'm 33 so hope in a long time) but I am going to enjoy it and a little bit of sugar is needed for that.

Good luck in your quest. I trust my doctor for now. But I will wondering about it. For me - I need it now.

BlindedByScience

Happymom, my oncologist told me to stay away from sugar as much as possible, but it was OK to eat chocolate in moderation. I think this simply reflects her realization that chocolate is an essential food group (for some of us) and if we're going to eat it anyway, try to do so in moderate amounts . Well, that's all relative, isn't it?

I eat dark chocolate which is higher in flavonoids (a form of antioxidants). They help protect your skin from sunburning and help dilate blood vessels (heart health). Here's an article on the cardiovascular benefits:

http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/studies/report-29769.html

mags

Hi ladies, I knew I'd seen something about this on the news the other day. Here's a link on an article linking sugar to bc in women under 49. They say that it needs to be investigated further but thought that you might find it interesting.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6474295.stm
Hugs
Mags

PookieBear

Well I'm only going to live once and while I do try to eat healthy most of the time and in the right portions, I will not give up the things (sweets) that I love. I have however started a rule - I will only eat sweets if either me, my husband or my mom makes something from scratch. I don't eat anything that's already made by either a store or anyone else. That has greatly limited my sugar intake already but I will enjoy the sweet things I like without guilt. I also work for a food service company so there is always food of one kind or another available for employees.
I do very well at staying away from all that. You have to enjoy some things in life.

Anonymous

Staples4351...I like your approach! That way you get to enjoy only the best of sweets and limit your intake at the same time. I guess it could only be dangerous if one of you had a homemade candy store

For my part, I'm aware that there isn't absolutely solid evidence (at least large quantities of it) to show that cancer does, in fact, feed on sugar and grow in its presence, but it makes sense to me and, so, I'm not taking any chances. I won't give up sugar completely, but have cut back drastically.

kate101

I don't think there are any definitive studies about sugar, but I'm pretty sure it's better for us in almost every way (breast cancer related or otherwise) to keep refined carbs and sugars to a minimum. I have experienced time and time again how much better I feel--physically and mentally--and how much better I sleep when I am really limiting refined carbs and sugars and eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies. I have to think your body is more able to fend off rogue cancer cells when you are eating right and getting enough sleep.

Both the Core program on WeightWatchers and the South Beach diet have great low-carb recipes and strategies.

Staples - My sugar rule is a little like yours--except I'll eat things other people have made. If somebody (including myself) has gone to a lot of effort and trouble to make a beautiful dessert, I will eat a moderate portion of it. And occasionally I will share a dessert at a great restaurant. This eliminates all the mindless eating of packaged cookies, candy, etc.

PookieBear

Oh did I mention that my husband was a pastry chef for many years? He generally only makes really luxurious desserts around the holidays. Last weekend he did make a pie that I absolutely loved - Lemon Meringue Ice Cream Pie - yum yum. I usually bake one thing on the weekend and that's all we have for the whole week. I have too tried to find dessert recipes that are a bit healthier but sometime I just want a sugar cookie! I know I could still cut back more. I have given up sodas and only drink one glass of sweet tea with dinner. I drink water the rest of the time. I think I need to increase the intensity of my exerise progam to really start seeing some weight loss.
Then again there are all those products we buy from the grocery store that you really wouldn't think would have sugar in it. I at least give some sugar free products a try but most are just yucky to me. But I do at least read the labels of everything I buy just to see how much sugar is in them. Why must sugar just taste so darn good?!

makaryne

The naturopath I see told me that 1 tsp. of sugar suppresses the immune system (for b.c. patients and everyone else) for 20 minutes. She says a single can of Pepsi (which evidently contains 18 tsp. of sugar) would affect the immune system for 360 minutes.

I dunno' I asked all of my "earth angels" to eat a piece of chocolate at 10:00 a.m. on the first day of chemo. We sent out giant chocolate energy to the universe. I think it worked cuz I made it thru chemo.

Happy thoughts all.

R

catherine7273

My nutritionist is emphatic that sugar creates an environment which encourages tumor growth, and therefore she has recommended I completely eliminate my sugar intake. I have certainly made a ton of changes in my diet, but I find it difficult to live without a little sugar every now and then. Sometimes my body just craves it.

Sierra

me too

My Naturopath..D'Adamo
says no sugar

BUT..

I love a pastry out
or a cheesecake
or a who mentioned Lemon Meringue
oh, my favorite

or ice cream in summer
.. sugar cone..

and organic candy bar

but.. try to avoid the muffins
and white bread, other things
walk a lot

if I take juice, I always add
water to it


Ben N'Jerry's ice cream is good LOL

Anonymous

Post deleted by bco-administrator

juliehere

I have been trying to avoid sugar. Does anyone have any thoughts about artificial sweetners? Are they safer?

Primel

Julie, artificial sweeteners (aspartane) are not good for kidneys... a matter of "dose", probably, like everything else... I avoid these (I read labels), and I have avoided, for most of my adult life, refined sugars and refined flour, white breads, candies, chocolate (other than dark, dark -- 65 or 70 % cacao, pure cacao butter) -- chocolate, pastries sold in super markets... with extremely enjoyable "exceptions to the rule" (having lived in France most of my life, it can be tough to renounce 100% a good almond croissant or other butter-rich goodies every once in a while). When I feel hungry, I reach for salty foods, not sweet ones, so this helps, and I never drank sodas or coke in my whole life (I am 54) simply because I can't stand the smell and taste of it, and do not like the bubbles... so no big sacrifice there either. I quit drinking red wine with dinner, simply because nothing tastes really good right now (in the middle of chemo, 4 AC done). Wine IS sugar (alcohol)... I understand red grape juice is just as good for you (flavonoids, etc), I am not crazy about the taste, but I drink some diluted in water. Drink coffee and tea with no sugar (by taste, here again), so I guess most of my sugar intake is from carrots, apples, fruit in general (pears and bananas are the highest in sugar I read somewhere)... I, too, would rather bake from scratch so I know exactly what goes in: I usually cut in half the sugar and butter the recipies call for, and use organic whole-wheat flour or pastry flour.
I do not have high triglycerids, and yet, here I am with BC... I, too, am trying to cut sugar even more. Thank you for the interesting links...
CatherineH

SammieKB

Catherine, does that include fruits? or just refined sugar. I have breast cancer and I am postmenopausal. I am also a sugar addict. I once attended overeaters anonymous and gave up all refined sugar for 4 months. Also gave up chips and snack crackers and eating between meals. At meals I ate regular balanced diet. I lost 40 lbs in four months. That was 25 years ago. I now weigh 60 lbs more than I did then. I am seriously considering being abstinent again. For me it must be treated as an addiction with abstinence from the addictive substance, which for me is sugar. Just wondering about the fruit. Sammie Kay

SammieKB

Hi Twink, I would really like to have the exact title of that book. I really need some help with my diet. Thanks, Sammie Kay

Mahogany

I am no expert but the books and differently articles I read said to stay away from sugar. Cancer loves sugar. I am a person who loves sugar. Since I have been diagnosed with BC for the 2nd time, I stop eating refined sugar (No more candy bars, ice cream etc) only fruits and no caffeine.

Mahogany

I also heard Stevia is the best since it's naturally sweet herb. I am staying away from all artificial sweeteners and refined sugars for now. That's my choice.

Primel

SammieKay, I eat fruit (apples, raw or cooked, pears and bananas -- but these have a high sugar content) and all the berries I can find (love raspberries). I eat what is "in season" and grow locally as much as possible (looking forward to make fruit salad with peaches, white and yellow, berries, kiwis, strawberries, and fresh mint). here again, small portions... always a matter of dosage... a little bit of everything. Some say it is better to eat your fruit before meals (as an aperitive).
CatherineH

SoapMaker

Research the studies by Dr. Young Ko, on 3-bromopyruvate. It blocks glucose. They gave it to rats with large cancerous liver tumors. It blocked the glucose from the cancer cells and the cancer cells began to die, immediately. The cancerous tumors shrunk up. Cancer loves glucose and it is its fuel of choice. It will uptake the glucose faster than any other cell. Carbs turn into glucose in the body. You can help yourself by limiting simple carbs and sugar in your diet. Makes for not fun eating, that's for sure. Just a choice you have to make.

---------------------------------------------------------
Where is the cure
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org

moonsong

Now if we can find something that would boost our immune system for 20 minutes we could eat some of each at the same time and have our cake and eat it too! I love all sweets, I would eat cake and give up meat if I could

moonsong

How do you gain weight? My doctor wants me at 130 even while pregnant I never weighted that much. So I got to 116 and am handling chemo well, but to maintain that 116 I eat ice cream everyday and eat alot...I am now doing radiation 7 weeks, then 2 more chemo so I am expected to maintain this how would I gain weight on vegetables and fish? I really can't wait until this is done so I can get back to 110 and in my jeans...hair will be nice too.

dashley

The book "Beating Cancer With Nutrition" definitely says to avoid sugar, as cancer loves sugar.

dashley

If you do eat fruit or a piece of chocolate, eat it right after a meal, not by itself; that way it does not cause an insulin spike.

videochicke

There is a type of chemotherapy that combines traditional drugs with insulin because of the glucose-cancer connection. Some info here: http://iptforcancer.com/whatisipt.php?PHPSESSID=2eab73dd121232a47adf01abf487cb5f

wallycat

Quote:

---

All sugar--whether processed or from fruit--gets converted to glucose to be used by our bodies. Processed sugar concentrates the plant sugar (from sugar cane or beets) and makes it so easy to eat a lot. Whole fruit sugars come with some vitamins & minerals and other valuable things.

Sugar makes our insulin levels spike and then we release a growth hormone. This may be a stimulant for bc to grow. So the connection may be an indirect one. I've heard a lot of authors promote what is essentially a low glycemic diet with lots of plant foods.

---

Exactly!
Sugar in sugar form cannot be utilized by the body. When the intestines begin digestion, sugar converts to glucose to enter the blood stream to be used by the body.
If glucose levels remain high, damage in various forms begins to occur. Normally, insulin counteracts glucose elevation, but as we get older, that system isn't always as efficient as it was when we were younger (that and the fact that obesity, exercise-or lack of, and heredity) and can remain elevated.
ANY carb will get converted to glucose. The speed with which it does that can be important for some people (the glycemic value).

Sugar actually has a lower glycemic index than a boiled white potato.