Beat the Sugar Out of Breast Cancer to Improve Results
Sugar is everywhere. Even if the labels on food packaging don’t explicitly say “sugar,” there are a dozen other forms that it takes that cause the same effects on your body. These include the notorious high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, brown sugar, malt syrup, agave nectar and honey. When you see these, just think “sugar.” What does all of this have to do with breast cancer? Quite a bit, both directly and indirectly.
Direct Effects of Sugar and its Substitutes on Breast Cancer
A recent study showed that the amount of sugar sweetened beverages a breast cancer patient drank directly caused a higher death rate from breast cancer. This is compared to those who either did not drink these beverages, or those who drank only artificial sweetener beverages. And this didn’t have to do with the patient being overweight or obese or other significant health issues. This was a “direct” effect.
Indirect Effects of Sugar and its Substitutes on Breast Cancer
Eating and drinking too much sugar leads to higher insulin levels which leads to higher levels of inflammation in the body and fat storage that leads to obesity. Inflammation and obesity, independently as well as in combination, lead to higher levels of hormones such as estrogen and chemicals that cause damage to cells which becomes cancer. The inflammation and hormones from too much sugar also makes the breast cancer grow and increases the chance of it spreading, called metastases.
Ways to eat and drink less sugar
Stop or cut down on eating fast food and processed foods, stop eating cereal or drinking sugar sweetened beverages, it’s all very addicting and bad for you.
Yes this is easier said than done for a lot of people in a lot of the country. You may have to treat this like an addiction and change your lifestyle around eating for a while.
If your friends and family can’t help you make changes to cut this out of your life, then focus on the whole foods when you eat at these types of restaurants. Or go and don’t eat and find good food later.
It’ll be super tempting to eat this food but remember, these dietary changes are meant to save your life.
Prioritize cooking at home as much as possible. There are lots of simple fast easy whole food recipes online.
Make meal plans for the week as organization makes for fewer impulsive food purchases. I know it does for me.
Don’t buy sugary foods. They are harder to eat if don’t have them in your home.
Drink more water, eat more foods w/ good fats
Surround yourself with those who support you in doing this, often easier said than done.
Cutting back on sugar can only help you. It will especially help you if you have breast cancer. If you can arrange to cut back on sugar when the diagnosis of breast cancer is made or the surgery is scheduled, you’ll be amazed how you feel once you make the change and take charge of your health outcomes.
The transition to cutting out sugar takes time and effort, no doubt. Give yourself some serious self-compassion while moving through these changes, as well as the health problems you are encountering. For ideas on the self-compassion you’ll need to cut out sugar, read my blog on that exact topic.
