Why Controlling Your Carb Intake Will Reduce Your Chance of Cancer
Studies increasingly confirm the link between eating carbohydrates and cancer.
There are also two types of carbs: simple and complex. The easiest way to remember which is which, is that for the most part, simple carbs are processed and created by man. Complex carbs grew out of the earth naturally.
Different types of carbs deliver different amounts of sugar and the time it takes the body to break down that sugar varies. Low-glycemic load carbs break down slowly in the body, releasing nutrients at a consistent rate. High-glycemic load carbs deliver a large amount of sugar and the sugar breaks down almost immediately. These foods deliver what is commonly known as a “sugar rush.” The studies involved in this blog looked at foods that have both a low-glycemic load and high-glycemic load in relation to cancer.
The foods most related to the increased cancer risk are high-glycemic load foods, which are mostly manufactured. The notable exceptions are certain fruits which also carry a high-glycemic load.
Dr. Oz
I was going to write about this topic in a couple of months but just last week watched an episode on Dr. Oz and really wanted to share the information as soon as possible. The episode really rattled me and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It addressed a recent study which found high-glycemic foods may be a major risk factor for lung cancer and a number of other cancers, including, breast, prostate and colon.
Dr. Mark Hyman was Dr. Oz’s guest and is one of the leading researchers on this topic. You can watch the episode at: www.doctoroz.com/article/high-and-low-glycemic-foods.Given the number of hyperglycemics and diabetics in recovery, some studies have the number as high as 93% in early recovery, this information is critically important. I myself am fully familiar with the carb-heavy diets at rehab facilities and in the diets of so many people I know and love, both in and out, of recovery. The fact that the study focused on lung cancer also gives it extra relevance to people in recovery given the disproportionate number of smokers.
For people in recovery, it is almost always the case that they come with a history of poor nutrition, abuse of other substances, including prescription medications, and often a history of smoking. Those folks, like me, come with an already increased risk factor for heart disease, lung disease and other serious illness, including cancer.
By arming ourselves with knowledge on how to develop a present positive lifestyle, we can mitigate damage arising from past bad habits, lowering our risk factor for disease.
It is not an understatement to say that this knowledge may just save your life.
Background
Everyone, including me, has cancer cells in our body right now. The question is not do we have them, but whether they activate and begin to grow in an uncontrollable manner. To grow, cancer cells need glucose or sugar or in other words, carbs. They cannot grow without this and the growth hormone released by the body when carbs are eaten. That growth hormone is insulin.
By eating large amounts of simple carbs, notably sugary soft drinks and candies, we spike our blood sugar and the body then releases insulin. Those consistently eating diets rich in simple carbs and whose blood sugar is constantly spiking up and down, release substantial amounts of insulin. Some people will lose the ability to produce insulin naturally over time based upon diet and/or genes. To compensate, those folks will begin to inject it.
In a nutshell, the study found insulin provides the cancer cells with the energy needed to activate and grow. In other words, a diet high in high glycemic load carbs creates an environment that permits cancer to grow and spread.
That’s the bad news.
So what’s the good news: You Can Reduce Your Risk Immediately
Like so many things, diet can mitigate risk factors and help undo some of the damage caused to the body from past lifestyle choices. By modifying diet, you can avoid so many of the diseases that are reaching epidemic numbers in society generally, and even more so in recovery.
On his website, Dr. Oz recommends eating, and avoiding, the following foods:
EAT THESE OFTEN
Low-Glycemic Foods:
Sweet Potatoes
Vegetables
Steel-cut Oatmeal
Farrow
Quinoa
Legumes
Ezekiel Bread
Skim Milk
Reduced-fat yogurt
Sesame seed, peanuts, flax seeds
AVOID OR EAT IN MODERATION
High-Glycemic Foods:
Refined Sugar
Flour
White Rice
Bananas, grapes, cherries, watermelon
Raisins
Many breakfast cereals
White potatoes
Bread
Soda
Cookies and Crackers
So there you have it. When I looked at the study I was surprised just how well documented the link between carbs and certain cancers is. Knowledge is power, and the good news is we can mitigate our risk just by making changes to our diet.
No one is saying we cannot have foods we like that may have a high-glycemic index. Moderation is key. As Buddha would say, take the middle path. I know for me, I cannot have one Dorito, I will eat the whole bag. The same is true of chocolate, Reese’s peanut butter cups and Oreo cookies. I will finish the whole thing. Sugar was my first addiction and that remains true.
That’s why I have made the decision to avoid almost all the high-glycemic foods almost entirely. The only exception is fruit and in moderation.
That was the best decision for me. You need to think about what is best for you.
Share Your Feedback or Experience With Us
What do you think? Do you have any experience or opinion about the issues in this blog or any others posted at Spiritual Adrenaline. If so, I would love to hear from you.
Email me at tom@spiritualadrenaline.me.