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Sugar abstinence for prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Aug 19 3:16pm | Replies (46)

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There's no direct evidence that sugar directly causes prostate cancer or fuels its growth, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center.

BUT

High blood sugar levels can trigger the body to produce more insulin. Some cancers, including prostate cancer, may utilize insulin as a growth factor, potentially accelerating their growth.

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Replies to "There's no direct evidence that sugar directly causes prostate cancer or fuels its growth, according to..."

During the nearly 4 years since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, my research and resulting life style changes (in diet, exercise and sleep) have been fueled by both prostate specific mortality data (and the things that contribute to it), but just as importantly, all cause mortality data (and the things that contribute to that). There is little conclusive data backed by hard science on the impact that specific foods have on prostate cancer recurrance and thus prostate cancer specific mortality. However there is a great deal of data backed by science on what dietary and activity changes will have a positive effect on all cause mortality, not to mention quality of life.

For many of us our diagnosis indicates that we will likely need additional therapies. Some of those essential theraputic options will only be available to us or survivable by us if we have done our best to take the best possible care of ourselves each day going forward. I make my dietary decisions based on whether or not a food will contribute to maintaining or improving my health going forward. With regard to foods with added sugars, I avoid them to the greatest extent possible, but will have a dessert on special occassions. Avoiding added sugars (start reading labels and do the math) has pretty much eliminated cravings for sweets and contributes to maintaining healthy insulin and BMI levels (keep that PCP happy). As @Northofthe border and many others have suggested, moderation in everything including moderation. I will admit that while I no longer crave sweets, desserts still taste spectacular when I chose to indulge!