Sugar and Cancer

Learn How Sugar May Affect your Cancer Risk and Treatment

Sugar is a very common ingredient in many foods and beverages. While it tastes good and provides energy, excess can have negative effects on our health. In this blog post, I’m exploring how sugar may affect your cancer risk and treatment. I’ll also provide some tips on how to reduce your sugar intake and improve your health.

Sugar and Cancer Risks

I can’t say sugar itself causes cancer. But it may be indirectly involved with its impact on obesity, insulin resistance, insulin growth factor, inflammation, and hormones. The American Cancer Society states obesity is a risk factor for 13 types of cancer including breast, colorectal, kidney, liver, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, and uterine cancers. Obesity is linked to increased insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, risks for cancer.

Obesity may increase cancer risk because excess body fat produces estrogen, which can fuel breast, endometrial and prostate cancers. Excess body fat also encourages several growth factors and increases inflammation that can promote the development and progression of cancer.

Sugar added to foods is a major source of extra calories that can contribute to weight gain and obesity. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to 25 grams (6 teaspoonfuls / 30 ml) a day for women and 37 grams (9 teaspoonfuls / 45 ml) a day for men to reduce the risk of obesity and vascular disease.

Many people consume much more than the recommended amount of sugar. Sugary drinks include juice, soda, sports drinks, rehydration drinks, and energy drinks. Processed foods such as cakes, candy, ice cream, cakes, donuts, cookies also contain high amounts of sugar. These “foods” and beverages often lack essential nutrients and provide empty calories.

The NutriNet-Sante prospective cohort study in France found total sugar intake was associated with higher overall cancer risk and breast cancer risk. This study also found significant associates of cancer risks for added sugars, free sugars, sucrose, sugars from milk-based desserts, milk products, and sugary drinks.

Another part of this study found that the consumption of sugary beverages was significantly associated with the risk of overall cancer and breast cancer. This study also found 100% fruit juices were positively associated with the risk of overall cancer. Remember, sugar is found in many foods.

Consumption of 100% fruit juice per 250 mL/day was significantly associated with a 31% greater risk of overall cancer, 22% greater risk of melanoma, 2% greater risk of squamous cell carcinoma, and 29% greater risk of thyroid cancer. Higher fruit juice intake is associated with increased risk of breast cancer and mortality. Higher fruit juice is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms and confirm these research findings.

These studies suggest sugars may be a modifiable risk for cancer prevention, especially for breast cancer. I did find a study that states increased apple juice may decrease the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Sugar and Cancer Treatment

Sugar does not directly feed cancer cells or make them grow faster. All cells in our body use sugar (glucose) for energy. Cancer cells consume more glucose than normal cells because they have a higher metabolic rate and need more energy to grow and divide. However, depriving cancer cells of glucose will not starve them or make them go away. Instead, they will use other sources of energy such as amino acids or fatty acids.

How does blood sugar affect cancer treatment?

This is important! Elevated blood glucose and associated chemicals in the body can promote proliferation, invasion and migration, induce the apoptotic (normal cell death) resistance and enhance the chemoresistance of tumor cells.

- High blood sugar levels may interfere with some chemotherapy drugs or make them less effective.

- High blood sugar levels may increase the risk of infections or complications after surgery or radiation therapy.

- High blood sugar levels may worsen the side effects of cancer treatment such as nausea, fatigue, pain, etc.

- High blood sugar levels may impair the immune system's ability to fight cancer cells or infections.

Therefore, it is important to keep a blood sugar level within a healthy range during cancer treatment. This can help you avoid or reduce some of the negative effects of high blood sugar levels on your health and your treatment outcomes.

Check out my Palm Rule for Cancer Foods, Timed Eating for Cancer, and Cancer Fighting Foods eReports to learn the basics about controlling blood glucose levels and maximizing cancer treatments.

How to Reduce Your Sugar Intake

Reducing your sugar intake can have many benefits for your health, whether you have cancer or not. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease, improve your mood and energy levels, and possibly prevent or slow down the growth of some cancers.

Here are some tips on how to reduce your sugar intake:

- Read nutrition labels carefully and look for added sugars in the ingredients list. Some common names for added sugars are sucrose, glucose, fructose, corn syrup, honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, molasses, etc.

- Choose water or unsweetened tea or coffee instead of sugary drinks. You can add some lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, or berries to flavor your water naturally.

- Limit your intake of fruit juices and smoothies. They contain natural sugars from fruits, but they also lack the fiber and other nutrients that whole fruits provide. Eat whole fruits instead, but limit them to 2 to 3 servings per day.

- Avoid or limit processed foods that are high in added sugars and fats, such as cookies, cakes, candy, ice cream, etc. Choose healthier snacks such as nuts, seeds, yogurt, cheese, hummus, etc.

- Use natural sweeteners such as stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol instead of sugar. They have zero or very low calories and do not affect your blood sugar levels. However, use them sparingly and do not overdo it.

- Cook your own meals at home as much as possible. This way you can control the amount and type of sugar you use. You can also use spices, herbs, vinegar, lemon juice, etc. to add flavor to your dishes without adding sugar.

- Seek professional advice from a registered dietitian, nutritionist or coach who specializes in cancer who can help you create a personalized meal plan that meets your nutritional needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Sugar is not the cause of cancer, but it may be indirectly involved in the development and progression of cancer through its impact on obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormones. Sugar may also affect cancer treatment by interfering with some drugs or therapies, increasing the risk of infections or complications, worsening the side effects of treatment, or impairing the immune system.

Therefore, it is important to limit your sugar intake and keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range. This can help you prevent or reduce some of the negative effects of sugar on your health and your treatment outcomes.

Reducing your sugar intake can be challenging, but it is not impossible. You can start by making small changes in your diet and lifestyle that can have a big impact on your health. You can also seek professional advice from a dietitian or a nutritionist who can help you create a personalized meal plan that suits your needs and goals.

Remember that you are not alone in this journey. You can find support and guidance from your healthcare team, your family and friends, and other people who are going through the same situation as you. Together, you can overcome the challenges and enjoy the benefits of a healthier and happier life.

Sugar and Cancer References Include

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