Feature Article:::...

Sugar leads to obesity, not to cancer

By: Wendy H. Vogel, M.S.N., F.N.P., AOCNP

What causes cancer? We know that some things we do can actually cause cancer, like smoking. Smoking not only causes more than 90 percent of all lung cancers, but can also cause mouth, throat, bladder, kidney cancers and more.

Drinking too much alcohol can cause mouth or throat cancer.

We know that too much sun exposure can cause skin cancers or melanoma.

But most often, the exact cause of a cancer is never found. Because of this mystery, many people will tell you this or that causes cancer.

Have you ever wondered if sugar causes cancer? Have you worried that if you eat that piece of chocolate cake for dessert you just might be contributing to a future cancer?

THE MYTH: Sugar feeds cancer, making it grow faster; therefore, you can starve the cancer by not eating sugar. There are many Web sites warning against “white death” — refined sugars or grains — the dreaded “white foods.” There was even a claim that one teaspoon of sugar could devastate the immune system from four to six hours, thus making us vulnerable to cancer cells, viruses and bacteria.

THE TRUTH: All cells in our body, especially those in our brain, require sugar to survive. We need sugar for energy, to be able to function every day. Cancer cells also need sugar to survive. We get sugar from two sources: our diet and our own bodies. Even if you didn’t eat sugar, your body would make what it needs from fat and protein.

This myth began from a 1924 publication by biologist Dr. Otto Warburg, who won a Nobel Prize for identifying the enzymes that transfer hydrogen in cell metabolism.

His work has been misquoted by people who do not understand the biology of cancer. As we have learned more about cancer since 1924, we realize that while it is true that both normal cells and cancer cells require sugar to live, studies have not shown that sugar intake increases the risk of getting a cancer or making it progress.

The American Heart Association says that Americans consume, on average, about 22 teaspoons of sugar a day. The Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar for women and 9 for men.

We get most of our sugar calories from soft drinks! The average can of soda has about 11 teaspoons of sugar. If the myth about a teaspoon of sugar suppressing the immune system for six hours were true, then most of us would have a suppressed immune system 24 hours a day! If that were true, then we would be unable to fight off any diseases, even the common cold.

Cancer cells cannot be starved by depriving them of sugar. If you were to lower your blood sugar enough to damage cells, your brain cells would be first to die.

If this myth about sugar-causing cancer was correct, then people with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) would have fewer cancers. This has not been found to be true. Cutting out all sugar and carbohydrates (which is converted to sugar in our bodies) is not healthy, particularly in patients who have a cancer.

Even though cancer is NOT caused by eating too much sugar, it is important to choose a diet that is moderate in sugar, following the recommendations of the American Heart Association.

Sugar is part of a normal, healthy diet, when used in moderation. When used in excess, it can lead to obesity and elevated insulin levels. People who are obese do have a higher risk for cancer.

A healthy diet includes vegetables, whole grains, beans and fruits. Fruits are a source of naturally occurring sugars. A healthy diet high in fiber and lower in fat actually does lower your risk for cancer. Sodas, candy, baked goods, and sugary cereals have ADDED sugars, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

So what type of sugar should you eat? Should you avoid white sugar? White (refined) sugar is no different from brown (unrefined) sugar in regard to effects on body weight or insulin. The key, however, is moderation.

So you can enjoy that piece of chocolate cake, just have a little piece, and not every night! And … worry about something else.

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Wendy H. Vogel, M.S.N., F.N.P., AOCNP, is an oncology nurse practitioner with Kingsport Hematology/Oncology Associates in Kingsport.