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?
