Curing Cancer With Sugar?
I’ve seen two examples of cancer charities fundraising by selling sweets, chocolates and cakes, just in the last three days. It makes me so cross – and makes me realise how far we've yet to go in terms of nutritional understanding.
From what I understand there seem to be significant links between cancer and sugar. Apparently cancer cells require far more glucose than normal cells to grow, and studies indicate depriving cells of glucose can be effective in killing cancerous cells. Restricting calories, such as through intermittent fasting, also appears to be effective in starving cancer cells. Sugar also appears to have a role to play in inflammation, oxidation and the cellular damage from which cancer originates. I've also been reading a lot about the hormone IGF 1, present in milk which appears to elevate hormone levels and may increase the risk of ovarian, prostate and testicular cancers.
So why then are charities trying to cure cancer encouraging people to consume more calories and to consume these calories through processed, dairy rich, sugar-laden products?
Whilst environmental factors clearly are a factor in many cancers, I believe by having a good nutritional base (i.e. a Paleo diet being rich in anti-inflammatory foods, with a good omega 3/ omega 6 ratio and no processed or toxin containing foods) and a good lifestyle, cancer is far less likely.
Another factor that seems prevalent in some cancers is chronic stress. Whilst in our ancestral history stress used to be severe, but short-lived (threat of attack for example), chronic, long-term stress is now common-place. Many examples of chronic stress seem to be in the workplace – exactly the places the cancer charities are using to sell these products! I’d also speculate that it’s stressed workers who are more likely to want the brief satisfaction of chocolates and sweets – exactly the people who shouldn't have them!
Am I missing something, or is there something seriously wrong about trying to cure cancer with sugar?
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I’m certainly no authority on cancer or its causes, but as far as I can tell there are as many reasons for people getting it as there are people. One of the things that I wonder about is whether “cancer research” can ever find a “cure” until humans are willing to take more responsibility for their own health. Sadly, I don’t see much evidence of this becoming a reality amongst the general populace for a long time to come. One of the reasons I enjoy listening to Paleo podcasts and reading the Paleo blogs, is the overwhelming message that we can take back our power to create our own good health. The added bonus is that everybody seems so positive & inspired to make changes in their lives, which has a great flow-on effect to the rest of us.
Agreed Genevieve, it’s great when people take that responsibility for their own health – if only more people did.
That’s a good point, this is insane! Let’s raise some money by selling you the very foods that contribute to cancer development (you know the thing we are supposed to be eradicating).
It’s similar to pizza Friday’s at primary schools. Let’s raise money for the school by feeding kids the worst junk we can find.
Isn’t it frustrating Jon! Pizza – what a terrible choice for children who need to be able to concentrate!
It seems equally absurd that certain companies and foundations think you can simply
RUN cancer away…or Alzheimer’s…or autism…or anything else. By giving money to these causes, you’re only fueling the cause itself, not the cure, or the research needed to find a cure. In the case of Susan G. Komen, you’d only be fueling “awareness” not research–this means a vicious PR circle. You’re funding the PR people, whose job it is to raise more money each year for awareness and nothing more–NONE OF YOUR MONEY GOES TO ACTUALLY FINDING A CURE FOR THIS DISEASE! You see, Susan G. Komen was a marketing guru, and her friends and family have learned how to market the hell out of breast cancer for their own ends.
Then we have (or had) Avon’s “Run for the Cure”, which seems to have disappeared along with Avon…overseas. Around here, we have the annual Alzheimer’s Walk, which roughly makes enough money to clear expenses (if that), and to book the town for next year–none of the money actually goes to Alzheimer’s.
If you honestly want to fund research, do so directly–not through some race, or colored appliances, or even buying some magnetic ribbon to put on your car. Find out what institutions are actually doing research in your particular disease interest, and fund them directly.
I am glad you brought this up. Have you read Butter Believers post on Susan G. Komen for the Cure? It’s epic. http://butterbeliever.com/2011/10/22/i-will-not-be-pinkwashed-why-i-do-not-support-susan-g-komen-for-the-cure/
What a great article PT! She’s spot on about Big Pharma. I had no idea the salaries were that high either. Really makes you think doesn’t it. I guess there’s just no money to be made out of encouraging people to ditch the SAD food and eat only real food…
I feel the same Wenchypoo – I’d much rather know exactly where my donation was going.
Too right! Very ironic…