Diabetes

IGF-1 we make, and the more the tumor grows. Increases in IGF-1 have been implicated in multiple cancers including breast, lung and prostate.

Diabetes

Diabetics are at double the risk for cancers of the liver and pancreas, and increased risk of other cancers such as breast, colon and bladder. An expert consensus from the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society demonstrated this linkage, although they could not explain whether diabetes caused the increase in cancer, or the two diseases shared common predisposing causes such as lifestyle or genetics. However, other studies underscore the role of foods with a high glycemic load (GL) in the onset of cancer. Foods with a high GL are those that have a greater effect on blood sugar and insulin, and research tells us that people who eat a high GL diet are at increased risk for cancer. High GL foods include sugars, and refined, processed carbohydrates.

Ketogenic or Low Carbohydrate Diet

Cancer cells must have glucose to grow, but healthy cells can survive on energy produced from other sources when glucose is unavailable. In multiple studies, some using animals and others in humans, cancer development was halted or reversed in more subjects when a very low carbohydrate diet was adopted. The normal cells were able to survive and thrive on a diet of fats and proteins but the cancer cells could not. The ketogenic diet is a very specific and tightly controlled nutritional therapy that is used for people with seizure disorders unresponsive to medications. Small studies of this diet in children and adults with cancer, including glioblastomas (malignant brain tumors) show promising results. Less strict but still low carbohydrate protocols have also reported encouraging outcomes.

The biochemical relationship between sugar, insulin and cancer is undeniable, as is the fact that people consuming Western diets, high in processed grains and refined sugars such as high fructose corn syrup, are at increased cancer risk. Whether we know exactly which metabolic processes make this happen seems almost beside the point- what matters is making lifestyle changes that can help prevent or retard the growth of cancer. Limiting sugar is an obvious first step.

Submitted by Vicki Kobliner MS RD, CD-N is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Holcare Nutrition (www.holcarenutrition.com). Vicki works with infants, children and adults with digestive disorders, food allergies, ADHD, autism and other chronic illness, and provides fertility and prenatal nutrition counseling. Vicki has extensive experience in using dietary modification, appropriate supplementation and functional lab testing to achieve optimal wellness. She can be reached at 203.834.9949 or vicki@holcarenutrition.com. See ad page 13.