We all know, or should know by now, that high blood sugar is one of the most significant enemies of good health. It can lead to a number of chronic and debilitating health disorders, including kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes. But ongoing research in the United States and Europe is showing that elevated blood sugar levels in both men and women may pose an even greater health risk, and may be linked to an increased risk for a number of different types of cancer. The latest research, focusing on men and women between the ages of 18 and 50, has drawn a direct link between high blood sugar and the increased risk for colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and brain cancer.
Blood Glucose Levels and Cancer
Healthy cells convert glucose in the cellular cytoplasm into pyruvate, which is then passed to the mitochondria to be used as energy. This process is called glycolysis, and is a normal function of the body. Cancer cells also rely on glucose for fuel. However, because the cells are damaged or mutated, the mitochondria are removed from the equation, and the cancer cells use the glucose induced energy to survive and grow. This is called anaerobic glycolysis. Moreover, the waste product of anaerobic glycolysis is a type of lactic acid that is passed to the liver where it is broken down and turned into glucose, which then returns to the blood stream to further feed the cancerous cells. It becomes a vicious cycle that allows cancers to grow and thrive within the body.
High Blood Sugar and Cancer
As we begin to better understand how elevated blood sugar levels affect cancer cells, it becomes increasingly obvious that we must learn to lower and control our blood glucose levels. By denying cancer the food it needs to grow and to take root within the body, we can greatly reduce our risk for developing a wide variety of different types of cancer. The latest research is pointing the way, and it is up to us to follow.
Lowering Your Blood Sugar Naturally
There are many all natural techniques for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and they should be a standard part of every person’s anti-cancer lifestyle. These are proven techniques that get results, and that do not rely on the use of unwanted prescription drugs.
- Diet – The first step to lowering your blood sugar is by changing your diet. This means more than simply eliminating sweets. Sugars and complex carbohydrates can hide a wide variety of processed foods, so it is important to make the transition to a predominantly organic, vegan diet. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cabbage, are good for your heart, and will help you maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Seeds, nuts, garlic, and artichokes are also good for lowering blood sugar levels.
- Eat more raw plant fats – One of the best ways to balance your blood sugar is to turn on a fat burning metabolism. This can be done by eating raw plant fats like avocados, seeds, nuts and olive oil. These all have the most energy units and have zero sugar.
- Exercise – Studies have shown that regular exercise helps to lower blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes and heart disease. Thirty minutes a day, at least four days a week can have a significant effect on both your blood sugar levels and your overall health. It will also help you to maintain a healthy weight, which has been proven to help keep blood sugar levels in check.
- Supplements – Some all natural supplements can help to reduce and control blood sugar levels. Magnesium, Zinc, and Chromium have all been shown to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. Optimally, these should be obtained through a healthy diet, but when necessary they can be taken as dietary supplements.
People have long understood that high blood sugar poses a significant health risk, but new studies are showing that the risk goes far beyond diabetes and heart disease. The links between high blood sugar and cancer are becoming more clear, and to remain cancer free it is important to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
