Why the Deadly Love Affair Between Sugar and Cancer?

The association between sugar and the development of cancer has long been debated. The relationship between sugar metabolism and the ability of cancer cells to survive without the regulation by growth factor signaling systems has been established in laboratory studies, and it has been hypothesized that there may be a link between the two in vivo. In the following article, I will discuss the possible mechanisms that may explain the deadly love affair between these two organisms.

High consumption of sugary carbohydrates, such as sugar-sweetened beverages and foods, has been associated with increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers, including breast cancer. During the past decade, intensive efforts have been undertaken to understand the linkage between diet and disease. Perhaps most noticeably, researchers have discovered a genetic variation in a gene, pancreatic cancer gene (PANCA), which has a significant contribution to the risk of developing pancreatic and gastric malignancies.

In contrast to healthy cells, cancer cells utilize Akt to maintain their glucose utilization. This causes further glucose utilization and promotes cancer cell growth. Additionally, the lack of growth factors leads to less insulin secretion, resulting in both sugar levels dropping and, therefore, decreasing the effectiveness of cellular signaling pathways. Consequently, sugars supplement deficiencies and disturbances in signaling at critical times. As a result, some anti-cancer therapies include drugs that target pathways influenced by this phenomenon. For instance, 5-FU can inhibit the activity of P-glycoprotein, which effectively decreases the level of chemotherapeutic drugs in the cancer cells.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the negative effects of sugar consumption on health and may not appreciate the importance of eliminating it from their diet. Sometimes, indulging in different options may seem delicious, but they may cause deterioration to overall health. Therefore, developing awareness of some of these harmful consequences is essential to establish effective sugar intake limits. Monitoring blood sugar concentrations is another approach to prevent high glucose levels. Moreover, consuming wholesome, nutrient-dense foods is advised to bolster the immune system's response against cancerous cells. Despite the negative aspects, there are still alternative sources of energy that do not place tremendous stress on our bodies and are important for normal functionality throughout life.