Sugar and Cancer

motheroffoursons · October 2009

This is a topic I know that will generate a lot of comflicting opinions. However, the statement that sugar feeds cancer is a gross oversimplification and I cringe when I see it.

Just want to say something about sugar/cancer connection. Yes, rapidly growing cells, like cancer cells, use extra amounts of glucose. This is the whole basis for various scans, to determine the spots that use extra glucose. A molecule similar to glucose with a radioactive marker is what is seen on the scans. This shows areas of increased glucose uptake.

However, the glucose in the blood is maintained at relatively constant levels unless you have diabetis I or II. Certain medicines can also affect glucose levels. The balance is controlled by a number of biological hormones.

So, even if you have cancer, your body controls the level. Cuttings carbs or sugars will cause the body to obtain glucose from other sources such as proteins or fats through several metabolic pathways. Excess glucose is stored glycogen in the liver, and if extra energy is available, fat is formed. Cry So, even in cancer patients, the glucose is taken at a higher rate by the cancer cells, but the body would still maintain glucose levels in the blood stream.

I just went online to examine the information from the Huntsman Cancer Center in Utah. I have seen this quoted as a source that sugar feeds cancer. The article does NOT say sugar feeds cancers. It indicates that an amino acid, glutamine, is responsible for cancer cells absorbing extra amounts of sugars. Hopefully they will develop a therapy that the glutamine will be unable to trigger the absorbtion of glucose via the pathway currently used.

In other words, sugar itself is not the culprit. The culprit is to find the metabolic pathways of sugar absorption in cancer cells, and slow it down.

However, lowering sugar intake is beneficial in weight control, and possibly related to Diabetes II and insulin resistance. Sugar does not "feed cancer". Cancer cells just take an inordinate amount of sugar out of the carefully controlled levels in the blood.

The scientific information can be verified by any good college biology text or basic biochemistry text.

AnneW · October 2009

Thank you for saying what I've been thinking for a long time. That "sugar feeds cancer" is just to simplistic and is one of these fear-inducing sound bites.

Yes, we need a balanced diet. Our whole grains beak down into molecular structures that have sugar. Our bodies must have glucose (sugar) to function. We just don't have to over-do it with the candy bars!

Restrict enough sugar and ultimately the body breaks down fat for fuel.

Cancer cells are fast growing. Their uptake of glucose is quicker than normal cells. But as you say, this is a highly regulated, and complex, process in our body.

Sugar does not "feed" cancer.

Anne

pitanga · October 2009

Thank you Mother of 4 sons!

IMHO too much arm-waving goes on about what causes cancer.

Naturally we are all anxious to understand what went wrong with us, and what we can do to get better. Our lives are at stake. Which is why it is very important that those who have the training and the experience do the research to find out what causes it...ASAP!

Till then, eating healthy is certainly a good idea, but obsessing about it? I dunno.

Lisa

LJ13-2 · October 2009

Amen, and amen.

jancie · October 2009

Thanks for posting that article. I have forwarded it to my ex-boss as she was diagnosed with cancer about 5 months ago and she was one that never used sugar for anything other than to feed her hummingbirds. I figured if someone that ate nothing but organic food, never ate sugar, never smoked, always exercised, etc. and she got BC then anyone could get it.

I just changed my way of thinking to "do everything with moderation" balance my intake of sugar, alcohol, etc.

Sugar and Cancer

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