STARVE A COLD, FEED YOUR CANCER SUGAR?

After reading a quote that David Just (researcher of the Cornell Center For Behavioral Economics) made to the Chicago Tribune pertaining to junk food and weight, I required the use of both hands to close my mouth! Mr. Just stated,

“For 95 percent of the country, there is no relationship between how much fast food and junk food they’re eating and their weight”

This statement made it clear to me why those associated with Ivy League colleges suffer the same health consequences as the rest of the population. Talk about a disconnect between intellectual aptitude and our ability to integrate common sense. Sometimes we need to reach conclusions by asking ourselves, “do the scientific facts and design of the research provide answers that MAKE ANY SENSE (INCLUDING COMMON SENSE!”)

The human brain likes the concept of CAUSE and EFFECT. It’s simple and direct. Life, however, (in most cases) is more complicated than simple cause and effect. For example:

DOES SUGAR CAUSE CANCER?

We can’t ask a question like this and reach definitive conclusions because there are too many factors that can influence the outcome.

• What is the age of the person?

• Do they live an active or sedentary lifestyle?

• How much sugar is consumed?

• How frequently do they consume sugar?

The list of questions goes on…

A better question to ask is:

CAN SUGAR CONSUMPTION BE HARMFUL IF A PERSON IS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?

This question allows us to combine intellect and common sense to reach an answer with merit. I have written the following paragraph in blue using as little technical language as possible to explain the point.

Cancer thrives in the body in the absence of oxygen (known as an anaerobic environment.)  Cancer cells (just like any cell) need to produce energy to survive. When we consume sugar, the cancer cell and healthy cell compete for it. The cancer cell consumes sugar through a process which creates a very small amount of energy (2 molecules of energy known as ATP.) The healthy cell goes through this same process producing 2 molecules of energy, however, has the ability to utilize an oxygen RICH environment (known as an aerobic environment) capable of producing an additional 34 molecules of ATP.

This means that cancer cells require approximately 18 molecules of SUGAR to produce the same energy as 1 molecule of SUGAR in a healthy cell.

From a common sense perspective we can understand the greediness of cancer cells; their INEFFICIENT ability to create energy necessary for survival mandates a larger reservoir of food supply. Cancer needs sugar to SURVIVE. Healthy cells have greater flexibility due to a structure known as the MITOCHONDRIA (the “powerhouse” structure in the cell responsible for producing the additional 34 ATP molecules discussed above.) Healthy cells can also take certain byproducts of FAT (known as ketones and fatty acids) and PROTEIN (known as amino acids) and utilize these components to generate the energy needs of the healthy cell. Cancer cells are UNABLE TO DO THIS. Cancer cells, however, are extremely smart. Where they lack the flexibility in food sources, they make up for it by directing the body to redirect blood flow and find sugar sources created from other proteins (glucogenic amino acids) and other components of fat including glycerol (from triglycerides.)

Now, let’s get back to the question:

CAN SUGAR CONSUMPTION BE HARMFUL IF A PERSON IS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?

The answer is yes. Cancer will eat 18 molecules of sugar leaving 1 molecule available for healthy cells. This leads to HEALTHY CELL STARVATION. Have you ever noticed how people with cancer lose significant amounts of weight.  This is known as CACHEXIA (the weakening and wasting of the body due to this disease.) Many assume this is caused by chemo and radiation. In reality, there are a multitude of factors including HEALTHY CELL STARVATION. Can you see where the proper utilization of FOOD can be an important component in the battle with cancer? By feeding the body nutrients that cancer is unable to “consume” and utilize for energy we strengthen healthy cells while starving cancer cells. This approach combines basic scientific information and COMMON SENSE. Why isn’t this tool utilized by our medical oncologists? They know that sugar is a primary fuel for cancer and they know it consumes 18 times as much as healthy cells.

IS THIS AN ACCUSATION OR A FACT?

It’s a fact! They use PET scans to identify tumors. In order to do so, they inject radioactive GLUCOSE (SUGAR) into the patient knowing the cancer cells will “act as scavengers ravenous for sugar” making it clearer to identify a cancerous tumor on the scan.

Why then aren’t dietary protocols utilized (at the very least) as a component in combating cancer? Why is candy made available to patients after completing chemotherapy  and radiation sessions? I am not accusing the medical field of intentionally harming their patients; I am accusing them of foolishness for excluding a simple tool (FOOD) as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing this disease that can profoundly impact the end results of care.

Are you now convinced that SUGAR CONSUMPTION IS HARMFUL IF A PERSON IS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER? Since statistics reveal that 1-2 men and 1-3 women will get cancer, wouldn’t COMMON SENSE dictate we begin limiting our sugar intake TODAY (since we know how addictive it is) rather than attempting to do so once the diagnosis is made? In addition wouldn’t COMMON SENSE also tell us that sugar’s damaging effects on overall health provides enough REASON to limit consumption of this ingredient even in the absence of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc…

I have been writing articles addressing various health topics since April of 2015. People may feel slightly uncomfortable with the information discussed because it places them in the center of a new health care reality with greater responsibility dealing with health, disease and decision making. It seems much easier to convince oneself to follow the current health care system that maintains chronic disease (high blood pressure, diabetes, colitis, cardiac disease, etc…) and approaches LIFE PRESERVATION in terms of EXISTENCE rather than QUALITY.

I challenge you to challenge my ideas and approaches to healthier living. I’m hoping this challenge motivates our thinking and actions and opens a dialogue among our blogging community. I’m hoping COMMON SENSE becomes a tool we seek out and utilize in the decision making process rather than assuming those with experience have all the answers. Learning to use professionals to obtain further knowledge so that YOU can take greater responsibility (and SUCCEED) when taking personal action steps will provide a new level of self confidence. Everything starts in the MIND. Make it more accessible to new ideas and new approaches and experience A LIFE FULL OF CHOICES.

Tags: cancer, diet, disease, food, health, health care, lifestyle, quality of life