How What You Eat Can Influence Cancer

It's hard to prove that certain foods cause cancer.

However, observational studies have repeatedly indicated that high consumption of certain foods may increase the risk of cancer.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates

Processed foods high in sugar, low in fiber and nutrients have been associated with a higher cancer risk (2).

Researchers have found that a diet that raises blood sugar is associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including stomach, breast and colon cancers (4, 5, 6, 7).

A study of more than 47,000 adults found that people who ate a diet rich in refined carbohydrates were almost twice as likely to die from colon cancer as those who ate a diet low in refined carbohydrates (8).

Higher levels of glucose in the blood and insulin are thought to be risk factors for cancer. Insulin has been shown to stimulate cell division, promote the growth and spread of cancer cells and make them more difficult to eliminate (9, 10, 11).

In addition, high levels of insulin and glucose in the blood can contribute to your body's inflammation. In the long term, this can lead to the growth of abnormal cells and possibly contribute to cancer (9).

It is perhaps for this reason that people with diabetes – a disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood and insulin – have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer (12) .

For example, your risk of colorectal cancer is 122% higher if you have diabetes (13).

To protect yourself from cancer, limit or avoid foods that increase insulin levels, such as foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates (14).

Processed meat

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers processed meat to be a carcinogen – a substance that causes cancer (15).

Processed meat is meat that has been processed to preserve the flavor by salting, salting or smoking it. It includes hot dogs, ham, bacon, chorizo, salami and charcuterie.

Observational studies have shown a relationship between processed meat consumption and increased risk of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer (16).

A large review of studies found that people who consumed large amounts of processed meat had an increased risk of colorectal cancer of 20-50% compared to those who consumed only a small amount, if at all at all (17).

Another review of more than 800 studies found that the daily consumption of only 50 grams of processed meat – about four slices of bacon or a hot dog – increased the risk of colorectal cancer by 18% (15, 18).

Some observational studies have also linked red meat consumption to an increased risk of cancer (19, 20, 21).

However, these studies often do not distinguish between processed meat and unprocessed red meat, which skews the results.

Several studies combining the results of several studies have shown that evidence linking untransformed red meat to cancer is weak and inconsistent (22, 23, 24).

Overcooked food

Cooking certain foods at high temperatures, such as grilling, frying, stir-frying, broiling, and barbecuing, can produce harmful compounds such as heterocyclic amines (HA) and finished advanced glycation products (AGEs). (25).

The excessive accumulation of these harmful compounds can contribute to inflammation and may play a role in the development of cancer and other diseases (26, 27).

Some foods, such as high-fat and protein-rich feeds, as well as highly processed foods, are the most likely to produce these harmful compounds when they are subjected to high temperatures.

These include meat – especially red meat – some cheeses, fried eggs, butter, margarine, cream cheese, mayonnaise, oils and nuts.

To minimize the risk of cancer, avoid burning food and choose softer cooking methods, especially when cooking meat, such as steaming, muffling or cooking. to boiling. Marinating food can also help (28).

Dairy

Several observational studies have indicated that high consumption of dairy products can increase your risk of prostate cancer (29, 30, 31).

A study followed nearly 4,000 men with prostate cancer. The results showed that high intakes of whole milk increased the risk of disease progression and death (32).

Further research is needed to determine the possible causes and effects.

According to these theories, these findings could be due to increased intake of calcium, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) or estrogen hormones from pregnant cows, all of which are weakly related to cancer of the prostate (33, 34, 35). .

summary Increased consumption of foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, as well as processed and overcooked meat, can increase your risk of cancer. In addition, the increased consumption of dairy products has been linked to prostate cancer.

Aside from smoking and infection, obesity is the leading risk factor for cancer worldwide (36).

This increases your risk of 13 types of cancer, including those of the esophagus, colon, pancreas and kidney, as well as breast cancer after menopause (37).

In the United States, weight problems are estimated to account for 14% and 20% of all cancer deaths among men and women, respectively (38).

Obesity can increase the risk of cancer in three main ways:

• Excess body fat can contribute to insulin resistance. As a result, your cells can not absorb glucose properly, which encourages them to divide faster.
• Obese people tend to have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in the blood, which causes chronic inflammation and encourages cells to divide (39).
• Fat cells contribute to increased levels of estrogen, which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women (40).

The good news is that several studies have shown that weight loss in overweight and obese people is likely to reduce the risk of cancer (41, 42, 43).

summary Overweight or obesity is one of the major risk factors for many types of cancer. Achieving a healthy weight can help protect against the development of cancer.

There is not one superfood that can prevent cancer. On the contrary, a holistic food approach will probably be the most beneficial.

Scientists estimate that the optimal cancer diet can reduce your risk by 70% and also contribute to cancer recovery (2).

They believe that some foods can fight cancer by blocking the blood vessels that supply cancer through a process called anti-angiogenesis (44).

However, nutrition is complex and the effectiveness of certain foods in the fight against cancer varies depending on how they are grown, processed, stored and cooked.

Among the major cancer food groups include:

Vegetables

Observational studies have linked high vegetable consumption with lower cancer risk (45, 46, 47).

Many vegetables contain antioxidants and anti-cancer phytochemicals.

For example, cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, contain sulforaphane, a substance that reduces tumor size by more than 50% in mice (48).

Other vegetables, such as tomatoes and carrots, are associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer, stomach and lung (49, 50, 51, 52).

Fruit

Like vegetables, fruits contain antioxidants and other phytochemicals that can help prevent cancer (53, 54).

A review revealed that at least three servings of citrus fruits a week reduced the risk of stomach cancer by 28% (55).

Linseed

Flaxseed has been associated with protective effects against some cancers and may even reduce the spread of cancer cells (56, 57).

For example, one study found that men with prostate cancer taking 30 grams – or about 4 1/4 tablespoons – of ground flaxseed daily had a slower growth and spread of cancer than the control group (58).

Similar findings have been found in women with breast cancer (59).

Spices

Some studies on specimens and animals have shown that cinnamon may have anticancer properties and prevent the spread of cancer cells (60).

In addition, curcumin, found in turmeric, can help fight cancer. A 30-day study found that 4 grams of curcumin per day reduced potentially cancerous colon lesions by 40% in 44 untreated individuals (61).

Beans and Legumes

Beans and legumes are high in fiber, and some studies suggest that higher consumption of this nutrient could protect against colorectal cancer (56, 62).

A study of more than 3,500 people found that people who consumed the most legumes had a risk of developing certain types of cancer by up to 50% (63).

Nuts

Regular consumption of nuts may be linked to a lower risk of certain types of cancer (64, 65).

For example, a study of over 19,000 people found that those who ate more nuts had a reduced risk of dying from cancer (66).

Olive oil

Many studies show a link between olive oil and a reduced cancer risk (67).

An extensive review of observational studies found that the risk of cancer was 42% lower among people who consumed the highest amount of olive oil, compared to the control group (68).

Garlic

Garlic contains allicin, which has been shown to have anticancer properties in specimen studies (69, 70).

Other studies have found a link between garlic consumption and a lower risk of specific cancers, especially cancers of the stomach and prostate (71, 72).

Fish

There is evidence that eating fresh fish can help protect against cancer, probably because of healthy fats that can reduce inflammation.

An extensive review of 41 studies found that regular consumption of fish reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 12% (73).

Dairy

The majority of evidence suggests that consumption of some dairy products may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (74, 75).

The type and quantity of dairy products consumed is important.

For example, moderate consumption of high quality dairy products, such as raw milk, fermented milk products and grass fed cows' milk, may have a protective effect.

This is probably due to higher levels of beneficial fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid and fat-soluble vitamins (76, 77, 78).

In addition, high consumption of mass-produced and processed dairy products is associated with an increased risk of certain diseases, including cancer (29, 30, 31).

The reasons behind these findings are not fully understood, but may be due to the hormones present in the pregnant cow's milk or IGF-1.

summary No food can protect against cancer. However, a diet rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, spices, healthy fats, fresh fish and high quality dairy products, can reduce the risk of cancer.

Increased consumption of herbal foods has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer.

Studies have shown that people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are at a lower risk of developing cancer or dying (79).

In fact, a large review of 96 studies found that vegetarians and vegans could be at least 8% and 15% less likely to be cancer (80).

However, these results are based on observational studies, which makes it difficult to identify possible reasons.

It is likely that vegans and vegetarians will eat more vegetables, fruits, soy and whole grains, which could protect against cancer (81, 82).

In addition, they are less likely to consume processed or overcooked foods, two factors associated with higher cancer risk (83, 84, 85).

summary People on a plant-based diet, such as vegetarians and vegans, may have a reduced risk of cancer. This is likely due to high consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as reduced consumption of processed foods.

Malnutrition and muscle loss are common in people with cancer and have a negative impact on health and survival (1).

Although no diet cures cancer, adequate nutrition is essential to supplement traditional cancer treatments, promote recovery, minimize unpleasant symptoms and improve quality of life.

Most people with cancer are invited to follow a healthy and balanced diet including lots of lean protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as a diet limiting sugar, caffeine , salt, processed foods and alcohol.

A diet high in protein and high quality calories can help reduce muscle atrophy (86).

Good sources of protein include lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds and dairy products.

The side effects of cancer and its treatment can sometimes make eating difficult. These include nausea, sickness, changes in taste, loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, diarrhea and constipation.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a registered dietitian or other health professional who can recommend how to manage these symptoms and ensure optimal nutrition.

In addition, people with cancer should avoid taking too much vitamins, as they act as antioxidants and may interfere with chemotherapy if taken in large doses.

summary Optimal nutrition can improve the quality of life and treatment of people with cancer and help prevent malnutrition. A healthy and balanced diet with enough protein and calories is best.

Animal studies and early human research suggest that a low-carbohydrate and high-fat ketogenic diet could help prevent and treat cancer.

High blood sugar and insulin levels are risk factors for cancer development.

A ketogenic diet lowers blood sugar and insulin levels, which can cause cancer cells to starve or grow slower (87, 88, 89).

In fact, research has shown that a ketogenic diet can reduce tumor growth and improve survival rates in both animals and specimens (90, 91, 92, 93).

Several pilot studies and case studies in humans have also shown some benefits of a ketogenic diet, including the absence of serious adverse side effects and, in some cases, the following. improved quality of life (94, 95, 96, 97).

There appears to be a trend towards improving cancer outcomes.

For example, a 14-day study of 27 people with cancer compared the effects of a glucose-based diet to those of a fat-based ketogenic diet.

Tumor growth increased by 32% in people on glucose-based diet but decreased by 24% in those on ketogenic diet. However, the evidence is not strong enough to prove the correlation (98).

A recent study on the role of a ketogenic diet in the management of brain tumors concluded that it could be effective in enhancing the effects of other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy (99) .

Yet, no clinical study currently shows the definitive benefits of a ketogenic diet in people with cancer.

It is important to note that a ketogenic diet should never replace a treatment recommended by health professionals.

If you decide to try a ketogenic diet along with other treatments, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian, as failure to adhere to strict dietary rules can result in malnutrition and have a negative impact. on health outcomes (100).

summary Early research suggests that a ketogenic diet can reduce the growth of cancerous tumors and improve quality of life without serious adverse side effects. However, additional research is needed.

Although there is no miracle superfood capable of preventing cancer, there is some evidence to suggest that dietary habits may offer protection.

A diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins can prevent cancer.

Conversely, processed meats, refined carbohydrates, salt and alcohol can increase your risk.

Although no diet has proven effective against cancer, herbal and keto diets can reduce your risk or benefit.

As a general rule, people with cancer are encouraged to follow a healthy and balanced diet in order to maintain their quality of life and promote an optimal outcome for their health.