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Excess Sugar Linked to Cancer

By on February 4, 2013

I’ve got some bad news for everyone who started off their morning with a big bowl of sugary cereal…or a couple of donuts…or cinnamon-raisin bagels…or a giant coffee shop muffin…or a high-cal-caffeine-sugar bomb from Starbucks.

In a new study, Dr. Custodia Garcia-Jimenez has discovered that “high sugar levels increases the activity of a gene widely implicated in cancer progression”.

de evolution of man Excess Sugar Linked to Cancer

Dr Garcia Jimenez’s research investigates “how cells in the intestine respond to sugars and signal to the pancreas to release insulin, the key hormone that controls blood sugar levels. Sugars in the intestine trigger cells to release a hormone called GIP that enhances insulin release by the pancreas.

His research showed “that the ability of the intestinal cells to secrete GIP is controlled by a protein called β-catenin, and that the activity of β-catenin is strictly dependent on sugar levels.

sugar diabetes cancer Excess Sugar Linked to Cancer

What Does This Mean To YOU?… 

  • Increased activity of β-catenin is known to be a major factor in the development of many cancers and can make normal cells immortal, a key step in early stages of cancer progression.
  • Dr Garcia Jimenez’s study tells us that high (but not normal) sugar levels induce nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and leads to cell proliferation.
  • Ergo…high sugar = increased activity of β-catenin = normal cells become cancerous

Which means…if you are eating the Standard American Diet (high in processed carbs & sugar)…not only are you increasing your odds of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes…you ARE increasing your odds of dying from pancreatic cancer or colon cancer.

If this bothers you, and you want to make a change, might I suggest you download my FREE eBook – A Paleo Diet for the 21st Century.

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Doug Robb is a personal trainer, a fitness blogger and author, a competitive athlete, and a student of nutrition and exercise science. Since 2008, Doug has expanded his impact by bringing his real-world experience online via his health & fitness blog, Health Habits. Read more posts by Doug at Hive Health Media.
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5 Comments

  1. John M.

    February 15, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    Thanks for the informative article. I just spoke with a personal trainer yesterday about the impact of sugar on our body and how harmful it is. It is amazing how blind our society is to health and wellness. Keep up the good work.

    Reply

    • healthhabits

      February 16, 2013 at 5:43 pm

      Thanks John

      Reply

  2. Shannon Burfor

    February 11, 2013 at 9:40 am

    A great post Doug. I see far to much obesity here in Perth, Australia, and feel I’m fighting an uphill battle as a naturopath. Those I consult on naturally healthy lifestyles will take in all I say, but when it comes to cutting out, or even down on sugar, it’s as if they suddenly go deaf. I hope that now that I’ll be able to point to a connection between sugar intake and cancer a few more will heed the warnings and ignore their sweet-tooth. Thanks for the heads up on Dr. Custodia Garcia-Jimenez’s study!

    Reply

  3. D. Dixon

    February 11, 2013 at 9:32 am

    Too much of anything is never a good thing. There are so many processed foods that it’s no wonder Bloomberg banned those 16oz drinks. I stick to brown sugar, and fruits and just let everyone else have the processed stuff everyday…it’s just not worth it. Thanks for the great post

    Reply

  4. Dora

    February 11, 2013 at 6:17 am

    Sugar is bad in so many ways, but unfortunately it’s hard to live without a lot of sugar. Sugar is contained in so many foods, which are not even sweet. It is sad to see that the industry is making us sick.

    Reply

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