Robert Su, Pharm.B., M.D.
Full article:
Many studies have found the links between the risks of various cancers and hyperglycemia or excess consumption of carbohydrates. [1, 2, 3, 4] At the same time, there have been reports that discuss the possible etiology or cause(s) of cancers.
In the first quarter 1996 issue of Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Professor John T. A. Ely published an article, “Glycemic Modulation of Tumor Tolerance.” [5] He cited that neoplastic initiation continues inside the body (some cells resist the scheduled death or apoptosis) but is ablated by immune surveillance [6] with leukocytes, including granulocytes (or neutrophils), monocytes, and lymphocyrtes, which are cell mediated immunity (CMI). The function of CMI is suppressed by hyperglycemia and enhanced by hypoglycemia. Thus, in the environment of hyperglycemia, the cancer incidence is significantly increased, and vice versa.
Positive relationship between hyperglycemia and the incidence of congenital teratogenicity has also been observed. This is an important prenatal issue in the prevention of congenital malformations, diabetes mellitus, cancers, and other medical disorders, which have been often linked to genetic disorders. [7]
In March 2005, the journal of Integrarive Cancer Therapy included a study, “Controlling Hyperglycemia as an Adjunct to Cancer Therapy”, by Cheryl A. Krone and Professor Ely. [8] Krone and Ely cited the following studies: (1) E. Freund reported in 1885 that 62 out of 70 cancer patients had hyperglycemia; [9] (2) in a study of 950 consecutive cases, the prevalence of hyperglycemia over 200 mg% in the patients who had cancers was more than three times of that in the patients who had no cancer; [10] (3) a report cited in late 1970’s that the countries where consumed more sugars had a higher mortality of breast cancer; [11, 12] (4) underfed human and animal have little or no susceptibility to cancer; [13, 14, 15, 16, 17] (5) in a 1968 report, patients with pyschosis under Insulin Coma Therapy were free of large tumors at the end of the therapy; [18, 19] (6) protein and other nutrients (but carbohydrate?) in dietary alteration were not responsible for reducing the risk of cancer; (7) In a study of 24 tumor patients, only 5 of them whose glucose tolerance tests were improved achieved a sustainable remission from malignancy; (8) success of radiation therapy for cervical cancer was increased multifold when dietary sugar was prohibited from the patients. [20]
In this study by Krone and Ely, 45 patients with cancers were selected in sequence at the Northwest Oncology Clinic, Seattle, Washington. Thses patients provided information about their diets and vitamin supplements. They must take less than 2 grams of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) daily. These patients suffered from (1) Breast cancer (3 active disease and 5 remission) and melanoma (2 active disease and 7 remission); (2) colorectal, lung, and renal cell carcinoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; (3) sarcoma, urothelial and gynecological cancers. Their hemoglobin A1c was analysed.
The study concludes hyperglycemia is associated with risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease; cancer patients exhibit defects in immune competence that increases susceptibility to infection and disease progression. Oxidative response is a possible cause. Anti-oxidant, such as ascorbic acid, may be beneficial in cancer therapy; and glycemic control has been employed in the ICU and CCU that improves the outcome of the acutely ill. Glycemic control is probably a useful adjunct in cancer therapy.
On January 23, 2006, Shankar A. et al published a cohort study of 3,189 cancer patients, “Association between circulating white blood cell count and cancer mortality: a population-based cohort study”, in the Archives of Internal Medicine. [21] The study shows higher white blood cell count in all mortality cases. Also, cancer mortality is positively correlated to hyperglycemia even in those patients who are not diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (see below).
In addition, cancer mortality is decreased with the patients who took Aspirin. Interestingly, the latter finding reaffirms the role of inflammation in the development and progression of cancer. Keep in mind that hyperglycemia is both inflammatory and pro-inflammatory. [22]
In related to the report cited above by Krone and Ely that the patients with psychosis who underwent insulin coma therapy were free of large tumors at the end of the therapy, Dr. Donato Perez Garcia (1896-1971) reported using intravenous insulin along with a smaller dose of cancer agents (Insulin Potentiation Therapy or IPT) successfully treated cancers, particularly such as breast cancer, small-cell lung cancer, and protstate cancer. As expected, the patients undergoing IPT had a great risk of hypoglycemia during the treatment. [22]
On June 16, 2010, in A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Giovannucci E et al published “Daibetes and Cancer: A Consensus Report.” [23] The report discusses, “(1) the association between diabetes and cancer incidence or prognosis; (2) risk factors common to both diabetes and cancer; (3) possible biologic links between diabetes and cancer risk; and (4) whether diabetes treatments influence the risk of cancer or cancer prognosis.” As expected, it also lists unanswered questions for future researches.
This report does address the association between diet and cancer. However, it is still reluctant to recognize the direct correlation between carbohydrate consumption, postprandial hyperglycemia, inflammation, the development of diabetes mellitus and cancers. It states, “Low-carbohydrate diets (which often include a greater consumption of red meats and fat) have also been associated with weight loss and improvements in insulin sensitivity and glycemic control.” It further claims,”However, to the best of our knowledge, randomized controlled trial evidence of dietary interventions and diabetes prevention exists only for low-fat, low-calorie, plus/minus high-fiber diets.”
Disappointingly, this consensus report continues to reflect the general attitute of organized medicine, which is unwilling to look into the evidence that has been collected by experts outside its special interests. The evidence reveals the connection between carbohydrates, hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Organized medicine and governmental agencies are not interested in supporting studies that help find the cause(s), effective treatment(s), and prevention.
Nonetheless, with the continuing discovery and increasing knowledge in the link between carbohydrates and cancer, there is a hope that cancer will soon be no longer fatal, possiblely reversible, and even preventable with carbohydrate-restricted diet and without the need of expensive but often ineffective medical and surgical interventions.
2. Su RK. “Carbohydrates And Cancer: The Fact.” Carbohydrates Can Kill. October 25, 2010.
3. Su RK. “Carbohydrates And Cancer: The Link.” Carbohydrates Can Kill. November 1, 2010.
4. Su RK. “Carbohydrates And Cancer: More Links.” Carbohydrates Can Kill. November 8, 2010.
5. Ely JTA. “Glycemic Modulation of Tumor Tolerance,.” The Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 1996; Vol 11(1): 23-34.
6. Jeremy B. Swann and Mark J. Smyth. “Immune surveillance of tumors.” J Clin Invest. 2007;117(May 1):1137–1146
7. Mills JL. “Malformations in infants of diabetic mothers.” Teratology. Volume 25, Issue 3, pages 385–394, June 1982.
8. Cheryl A. Krone, PhD “Controlling Hyperglycemia as an Adjunct to Cancer Therapy.” Integrarive Cancer Therapy. March 2005 vol. 4 no. 1 25-31.
9. Freund E. “Zur diagnose des carcinoms.” Wien Med Bl. 1885;8:268.
10. Glicksman AS, Myers WPL, Rawson RW. “Diabetes mellitus and carbohydrate metabolism in patients with cancer.” Medical Clinic North America. 1956;40:887-900.
11. Carroll KK. “Dietary factors in hormone-dependent cancers.” Cancer Research. November 1975 35; 3374
12. Hems G. “The contributions of diet and childbearing to breast cancer rates.” British Journal of Cancer. 1978;37:974-982.
13. Michels KB & Ekbom A. “Caloric Restriction and Incidence of Breast Cancer.” Journal of American Medical Association. 2004;291:1226-1230.
14. White DB, White J, Mider GB, Kelly MG, Heston WE. “Effect of caloric restriction on mammary tumor formation in strain C3H mice and on the response of strain DBA to painting with methylcholanthrene.” Journal of National Cancer Institute. 1944;5:43-48.
15, Hochman G. “Prevention of cancer: restriction of nutritional energy intake (joules).”. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. 1988;91A:209-220.
16. Kritchevsky D. “Diet in heart disease and cancer.” Adv Exp Med Biol. 1995;369:201-241.
17. Zhu Z, Haegele A, Thompson H. “Effect of caloric restriction on pre-malignant and malignant stages of mammary carcinogenesis.” Carcinogenesis. 1997;18:1007-1012.
18. Koroljow S. “Insulin coma therapy.” Psychiatric Quarterly. 1962;36:261-270.
19. Bishop JS. & Marks PA, “STUDIES ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH NEOPLASTIC DISEASE. II. REPONSE TO INSULIN ADMINISTRATION.”
20. Cheraskin E, Ringedorf WM, Hutchins K, Setyaamadja ATSH, Wideman GL. “Effect of diet upon radiation response in cervical carcinoma of the uterus.” Acta Cytologica. 1968;12:433-438.
21. Shankar A et al. “Association between circulating white blood cell count and cancer mortality: a population-based cohort study.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006 Jan 23;166(2):188-94.
22. Su RK. “Carbohydrates Can Kill: Hyperglycemia is problematic but preventable by restricting carbohydrates. (1 of 3)” The Blog. Carbohydrates Can Kill.
23. American Cancer Society. “Insulin Potentiation Therapy.” Find Support & Treatment.
24. Giovannucci, E, et al. “Diabetes and Cancer: A Consensus Report .” CA Cancer J Clin 2010;60: 207-221.
In the first quarter 1996 issue of Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Professor John T. A. Ely published an article, “Glycemic Modulation of Tumor Tolerance.” [5] He cited that neoplastic initiation continues inside the body (some cells resist the scheduled death or apoptosis) but is ablated by immune surveillance [6] with leukocytes, including granulocytes (or neutrophils), monocytes, and lymphocyrtes, which are cell mediated immunity (CMI). The function of CMI is suppressed by hyperglycemia and enhanced by hypoglycemia. Thus, in the environment of hyperglycemia, the cancer incidence is significantly increased, and vice versa.
Positive relationship between hyperglycemia and the incidence of congenital teratogenicity has also been observed. This is an important prenatal issue in the prevention of congenital malformations, diabetes mellitus, cancers, and other medical disorders, which have been often linked to genetic disorders. [7]
In March 2005, the journal of Integrarive Cancer Therapy included a study, “Controlling Hyperglycemia as an Adjunct to Cancer Therapy”, by Cheryl A. Krone and Professor Ely. [8] Krone and Ely cited the following studies: (1) E. Freund reported in 1885 that 62 out of 70 cancer patients had hyperglycemia; [9] (2) in a study of 950 consecutive cases, the prevalence of hyperglycemia over 200 mg% in the patients who had cancers was more than three times of that in the patients who had no cancer; [10] (3) a report cited in late 1970’s that the countries where consumed more sugars had a higher mortality of breast cancer; [11, 12] (4) underfed human and animal have little or no susceptibility to cancer; [13, 14, 15, 16, 17] (5) in a 1968 report, patients with pyschosis under Insulin Coma Therapy were free of large tumors at the end of the therapy; [18, 19] (6) protein and other nutrients (but carbohydrate?) in dietary alteration were not responsible for reducing the risk of cancer; (7) In a study of 24 tumor patients, only 5 of them whose glucose tolerance tests were improved achieved a sustainable remission from malignancy; (8) success of radiation therapy for cervical cancer was increased multifold when dietary sugar was prohibited from the patients. [20]
In this study by Krone and Ely, 45 patients with cancers were selected in sequence at the Northwest Oncology Clinic, Seattle, Washington. Thses patients provided information about their diets and vitamin supplements. They must take less than 2 grams of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) daily. These patients suffered from (1) Breast cancer (3 active disease and 5 remission) and melanoma (2 active disease and 7 remission); (2) colorectal, lung, and renal cell carcinoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; (3) sarcoma, urothelial and gynecological cancers. Their hemoglobin A1c was analysed.
The study concludes hyperglycemia is associated with risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease; cancer patients exhibit defects in immune competence that increases susceptibility to infection and disease progression. Oxidative response is a possible cause. Anti-oxidant, such as ascorbic acid, may be beneficial in cancer therapy; and glycemic control has been employed in the ICU and CCU that improves the outcome of the acutely ill. Glycemic control is probably a useful adjunct in cancer therapy.
On January 23, 2006, Shankar A. et al published a cohort study of 3,189 cancer patients, “Association between circulating white blood cell count and cancer mortality: a population-based cohort study”, in the Archives of Internal Medicine. [21] The study shows higher white blood cell count in all mortality cases. Also, cancer mortality is positively correlated to hyperglycemia even in those patients who are not diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (see below).
In addition, cancer mortality is decreased with the patients who took Aspirin. Interestingly, the latter finding reaffirms the role of inflammation in the development and progression of cancer. Keep in mind that hyperglycemia is both inflammatory and pro-inflammatory. [22]
In related to the report cited above by Krone and Ely that the patients with psychosis who underwent insulin coma therapy were free of large tumors at the end of the therapy, Dr. Donato Perez Garcia (1896-1971) reported using intravenous insulin along with a smaller dose of cancer agents (Insulin Potentiation Therapy or IPT) successfully treated cancers, particularly such as breast cancer, small-cell lung cancer, and protstate cancer. As expected, the patients undergoing IPT had a great risk of hypoglycemia during the treatment. [22]
On June 16, 2010, in A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Giovannucci E et al published “Daibetes and Cancer: A Consensus Report.” [23] The report discusses, “(1) the association between diabetes and cancer incidence or prognosis; (2) risk factors common to both diabetes and cancer; (3) possible biologic links between diabetes and cancer risk; and (4) whether diabetes treatments influence the risk of cancer or cancer prognosis.” As expected, it also lists unanswered questions for future researches.
This report does address the association between diet and cancer. However, it is still reluctant to recognize the direct correlation between carbohydrate consumption, postprandial hyperglycemia, inflammation, the development of diabetes mellitus and cancers. It states, “Low-carbohydrate diets (which often include a greater consumption of red meats and fat) have also been associated with weight loss and improvements in insulin sensitivity and glycemic control.” It further claims,”However, to the best of our knowledge, randomized controlled trial evidence of dietary interventions and diabetes prevention exists only for low-fat, low-calorie, plus/minus high-fiber diets.”
Disappointingly, this consensus report continues to reflect the general attitute of organized medicine, which is unwilling to look into the evidence that has been collected by experts outside its special interests. The evidence reveals the connection between carbohydrates, hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Organized medicine and governmental agencies are not interested in supporting studies that help find the cause(s), effective treatment(s), and prevention.
Nonetheless, with the continuing discovery and increasing knowledge in the link between carbohydrates and cancer, there is a hope that cancer will soon be no longer fatal, possiblely reversible, and even preventable with carbohydrate-restricted diet and without the need of expensive but often ineffective medical and surgical interventions.
References:
1 Su RK. “Reading List: Cancer (889-1061).” Reading List To Carbohydrates Can Kill.” Carbohydrates Can Kill.2. Su RK. “Carbohydrates And Cancer: The Fact.” Carbohydrates Can Kill. October 25, 2010.
3. Su RK. “Carbohydrates And Cancer: The Link.” Carbohydrates Can Kill. November 1, 2010.
4. Su RK. “Carbohydrates And Cancer: More Links.” Carbohydrates Can Kill. November 8, 2010.
5. Ely JTA. “Glycemic Modulation of Tumor Tolerance,.” The Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 1996; Vol 11(1): 23-34.
6. Jeremy B. Swann and Mark J. Smyth. “Immune surveillance of tumors.” J Clin Invest. 2007;117(May 1):1137–1146
7. Mills JL. “Malformations in infants of diabetic mothers.” Teratology. Volume 25, Issue 3, pages 385–394, June 1982.
8. Cheryl A. Krone, PhD “Controlling Hyperglycemia as an Adjunct to Cancer Therapy.” Integrarive Cancer Therapy. March 2005 vol. 4 no. 1 25-31.
9. Freund E. “Zur diagnose des carcinoms.” Wien Med Bl. 1885;8:268.
10. Glicksman AS, Myers WPL, Rawson RW. “Diabetes mellitus and carbohydrate metabolism in patients with cancer.” Medical Clinic North America. 1956;40:887-900.
11. Carroll KK. “Dietary factors in hormone-dependent cancers.” Cancer Research. November 1975 35; 3374
12. Hems G. “The contributions of diet and childbearing to breast cancer rates.” British Journal of Cancer. 1978;37:974-982.
13. Michels KB & Ekbom A. “Caloric Restriction and Incidence of Breast Cancer.” Journal of American Medical Association. 2004;291:1226-1230.
14. White DB, White J, Mider GB, Kelly MG, Heston WE. “Effect of caloric restriction on mammary tumor formation in strain C3H mice and on the response of strain DBA to painting with methylcholanthrene.” Journal of National Cancer Institute. 1944;5:43-48.
15, Hochman G. “Prevention of cancer: restriction of nutritional energy intake (joules).”. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. 1988;91A:209-220.
16. Kritchevsky D. “Diet in heart disease and cancer.” Adv Exp Med Biol. 1995;369:201-241.
17. Zhu Z, Haegele A, Thompson H. “Effect of caloric restriction on pre-malignant and malignant stages of mammary carcinogenesis.” Carcinogenesis. 1997;18:1007-1012.
18. Koroljow S. “Insulin coma therapy.” Psychiatric Quarterly. 1962;36:261-270.
19. Bishop JS. & Marks PA, “STUDIES ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH NEOPLASTIC DISEASE. II. REPONSE TO INSULIN ADMINISTRATION.”
20. Cheraskin E, Ringedorf WM, Hutchins K, Setyaamadja ATSH, Wideman GL. “Effect of diet upon radiation response in cervical carcinoma of the uterus.” Acta Cytologica. 1968;12:433-438.
21. Shankar A et al. “Association between circulating white blood cell count and cancer mortality: a population-based cohort study.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006 Jan 23;166(2):188-94.
22. Su RK. “Carbohydrates Can Kill: Hyperglycemia is problematic but preventable by restricting carbohydrates. (1 of 3)” The Blog. Carbohydrates Can Kill.
23. American Cancer Society. “Insulin Potentiation Therapy.” Find Support & Treatment.
24. Giovannucci, E, et al. “Diabetes and Cancer: A Consensus Report .” CA Cancer J Clin 2010;60: 207-221.
