Nutrition And Cancer Myths

Sugar and Cancer.

Is it true that sugar "feeds" tumors and promotes their growth?

It has been suggested that glucose acts as a growth factor for cancer cells, meaning that high sugar consumption might promote tumor growth. However, no study has demonstrated that consuming large amounts of sugar leads to an increase in tumor size. Nevertheless, there is an indirect relationship between sugar and cancer, as a diet high in sugar can result in excessive weight gain, leading to obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of developing various types of cancer, such as endometrial, esophageal, gastric, liver, kidney, multiple myeloma, meningioma, pancreatic, colorectal, gallbladder, breast, ovarian, and thyroid cancer. Therefore, limiting highly processed foods that contain high levels of added sugars, such as sweets, baked goods, candies, cookies, sugary cereals, and sodas, can help reduce calorie intake, promoting a healthy body weight and ultimately lowering the risk of cancer.

Dairy and Cancer.

Lately, dairy products have acquired a bad reputation, being linked to the development of various diseases; therefore, we will analyze their relationship in oncology.

The relationship between dairy consumption and cancer is ambiguous, as high intakes of dairy products and calcium have been associated with a decrease in colorectal cancer, while at the same time, they have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer. The protective role is attributed to the high calcium and vitamin D content. Conversely, the carcinogenic effect has been attributed to the high saturated fat content and increased circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a protein responsible for normal tissue growth and development. Elevated concentrations of circulating IGF-1 have been associated with a higher risk of breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer. Therefore, consuming large amounts of dairy products (greater than 400 g/day) is associated with a 12% increased risk of cancer. Furthermore, dairy consumption is linked to the increased prevalence of obesity, which is another risk factor for cancer development. A possible restriction of this food group should be analyzed in each particular case, promoting the consumption of plant-based foods that are sources of calcium and vitamin D.

Organic Foods

In this section we will see what role organic or agroecological foods play in the prevention of cancer, and whether their consumption is justifiable.

There is a common belief that organic or agroecological foods, which are those produced without the use of chemical components, reduce the risk of cancer compared to non-organic foods, especially fruits and vegetables. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this, although it is true that regulations exist governing the legal limits of pesticide residues in food, and consuming natural foods is always the best option. Therefore, organic foods should be chosen whenever possible, although this should not be a reason to reduce the consumption of fruits and vegetables, as their benefits far outweigh the risk of pesticide residues.

Fasting: Its benefits and relationship with oncology. 

Fasting is defined as the act of abstaining, totally or partially, from eating or drinking for a specific period of time. The truth is that there is already clear scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of intermittent fasting.

While it is a popular method for weight loss, studies show that it produces other effects, such as stimulating cellular repair, extending longevity, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, improving several risk factors for heart disease, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers, and preserving brain health, protecting against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

On the other hand, there is substantial evidence demonstrating that obesity and being overweight increase the risk and worsen the prognosis of several types of cancer. This is why weight control through fasting can be crucial for these patients.

Although the evidence is preliminary, preclinical studies indicate that fasting may decrease toxicity while simultaneously increasing the efficacy and tolerability of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, reducing adverse effects.

It is crucial to note that fasting is not always appropriate for cancer patients and should be prescribed and supervised by a healthcare professional, taking into account nutritional status, specific diagnosis, and several other factors.

References:

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http://www.cancer.org

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