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Sugar feeds cancer
I might have posted this before...is it really true that sugar feeds cancer, and that protein starves it? That cancer needs easily accessible energy (like sugar) to grow and protein takes to long to break down into energy?
I have a sweet tooth...I love chocolate. I am now torn between not wanting to feed the beast and at the same time comforting my soul every once in a while. Not easy. I eat a very healthy diet but whenever I do eat sweet I can't help feeling guilty not only for eating sweet but also for feeling guilty about it. Maybe I am still to freaked out about the whole cancer thing.
How do you handle the nutritional aspect of cancer?
I have a sweet tooth...I love chocolate. I am now torn between not wanting to feed the beast and at the same time comforting my soul every once in a while. Not easy. I eat a very healthy diet but whenever I do eat sweet I can't help feeling guilty not only for eating sweet but also for feeling guilty about it. Maybe I am still to freaked out about the whole cancer thing.
How do you handle the nutritional aspect of cancer?
It is not that sugar "feeds" cancer but rather that sugar is known to reduce the function of the immune system. It is the immune system that keeps free radical cells in check so that either cancers do not form or form slowly. A number of studies have shown this to be the case. Also adversely affecting the immune system is an imbalanced diet, lack of exercise, and stress. In other words, everyday life in our world!
I personally have concluded that if I could live on a semi-deserted island, have a retinue of attendants to provide me with perfectly balanced meals, assist me with a regular exercise program, and take care of life's annoyances for me, then I would live to be 200 years old. But would I really want to live that long if I could not have chocolate??!!
I personally have concluded that if I could live on a semi-deserted island, have a retinue of attendants to provide me with perfectly balanced meals, assist me with a regular exercise program, and take care of life's annoyances for me, then I would live to be 200 years old. But would I really want to live that long if I could not have chocolate??!!
I also thought the fruit issue was difficult because of fructose etc but when you think about it lots of vegetables have natural sugar too. I have a juicer and was OK using it with carrot etc, but the doc suggested I add something like flaxseed to mop up the fructose I guess. He's keener on blended fruits and veg so you get all the pulp too, but it's not so palatable with some things as juices. The Gerson regime has people drinking 12 or 13 glasses of juice a day at least half of them containing carrot and apple, so it can't be so bad, not like refined sugar. I would like to use honey (just a little bit!) in my porridge. My doc has me eating raspberries, blueberries, pineapple daily - all blended if possible, plus pink grapefruit, pith and all. The last one is not so nice! I'd really love to eat normally at some point! Vegetarianism isn't very attractive to me but I've cut down mainly to the occasional white fish and will really try out more veggie recipes. Cheers, Jenny
Thanks for your input. tellme, yes, I think it also includes fruits although I won't stop there, I eat them. If you follow a very strict macrobiotic diet you will find that it limits the intake of fruits and fruit juices. I have no problem cutting the juice but I need my blueberries etc and really do not believe they do much harm. The culprit for me is chocolate. I have reduced it considerably but still crave it. Will keep working on it.
Be careful not to become anemic though... I get so weak when I try to do vegetarian...I know you can eat spinach, iron rich veg, etc. but it is difficult to get enough iron.
Thanks Vixen and Barney for your kind words.
Talking about sugar, does that include freshly squeezed carrot juice, apple juice etc. and does that include all fruit?. I do take sweeteners with my bowl of porridge in the morning and also with my only cup of tea in the day.
What about complex carbs?
I need to find out as I am very careful with my diet - turned veggie with no fish even. I remember once going 20yrs ago to a macrobiotic expert who put together a eating plan for me and BOY WAS IT HARD!! Maybe I could revisit it.
Any advice would be brill.
Talking about sugar, does that include freshly squeezed carrot juice, apple juice etc. and does that include all fruit?. I do take sweeteners with my bowl of porridge in the morning and also with my only cup of tea in the day.
What about complex carbs?
I need to find out as I am very careful with my diet - turned veggie with no fish even. I remember once going 20yrs ago to a macrobiotic expert who put together a eating plan for me and BOY WAS IT HARD!! Maybe I could revisit it.
Any advice would be brill.
I'll chime in here and say that my nutritionist has told me to avoid all sugar because it creates the perfect enviornment for tumor growth. For me it was hard because I lost so much weight after my surgery and chemo that I've had a difficult time putting it back on because of my dietary restrictions. She also told me that dairy is off limits because of the milk sugar, galactose. Once in awhile I will have some dark chocolate but for all intents and purposes, I've given up sugar. It's not as hard as you'd think--after awhile, you don't miss it.
So glad to hear from you tellme! The prospect of the surgery must loom large. I hope you can enjoy the time beforehand a bit and do pleasurable things. We'll be thinking of you on the 24th and sending our best hopes to you.
Re the sugar - yes I've been told this firmly by the naturopathic doctor I'm seeing - avoid it! Not as easy as it sounds given how many foods do contain sugar in some form, let alone the chocs etc! I'm getting more used to it now and not craving it as I was before - certainly understand that! The bonus seems to be that I've lost a few pounds which were starting to creep on - but as a writer here recently said 'only in the 21st century would women rejoice about losing weight when they have cancer - mad!'
Re the sugar - yes I've been told this firmly by the naturopathic doctor I'm seeing - avoid it! Not as easy as it sounds given how many foods do contain sugar in some form, let alone the chocs etc! I'm getting more used to it now and not craving it as I was before - certainly understand that! The bonus seems to be that I've lost a few pounds which were starting to creep on - but as a writer here recently said 'only in the 21st century would women rejoice about losing weight when they have cancer - mad!'
So pleased that you're back! I have been thinking of you too along with everyone else here! Good luck for your surgery on the 24th.
Well, you sound like you are getting a handle on all of it.
Many here will be so glad to hear from you, and we are sure wishing you all the best...
Lots of love and prayers, Katie (in western Canada)
Many here will be so glad to hear from you, and we are sure wishing you all the best...
Lots of love and prayers, Katie (in western Canada)
Hi there Katie! So lovely to have been missed...I think the last time I was here was when I had just got back from the consultation and was feelin abit 'downish'. Lots to take in..and lots to mentally prepare for...getting there. Thanks for asking. Will be having my surgery on the 24th. Got my third Ca125 yesterday and it was 118. So probability of 'highly unlikely'of being cancer is highly unlikely.
HI!!!!!!!!!! So glad to see you! You have been on my mind!
How are you?
Love, Katie
How are you?
Love, Katie
Hmmm...what a dilemma, as I munch my way through some chocolate raisins...everything in moderation is what I say! Apparently dark chocolate has anti-oxidant properties that help to fight free radicals in the blood. I've also read that sugar feeds cancer, but you're quite right - we need to 'treat' ourselves now and again!
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