Recent research has shown that the food we consume speaks to our genes in a sense, and their messages can turn our immune system off and on. It has become louder in scientific circles that a diet high in carbohydrates or sugar increases the risk of cancer.
Epigenetic variables such as environment, exercise, stress, meditation, spirituality and diet can cause external changes in DNA. In particular, the issue of sugar and glucose, which feeds cancer indirectly, if not directly, continues to be discussed very intensely. The hormone insulin is a kind of companion that allows glucose and sugar to enter the cells. When there is sugar in the blood, insulin is produced, allowing the sugar to enter the cell and be used for energy production in the mitochondria. Too much sugar raises blood sugar and insulin levels. Over time, normal healthy cells cannot take in more sugar than they need. Insulin receptors in the cell’s membrane become unresponsive to insulin and no longer respond. In this case, insulin resistance develops. Insulin resistance is also associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and cancer.
Cancer cells are like an old-style engine that gives bad performance (energy) despite consuming a lot of fuel (sugar). Cancer cells are surrounded by insulin receptors because they need more fuel, and they take in tens of times more sugar than a healthy cell. Therefore, even when insulin resistance occurs in healthy cells, cancer cells continue to take in sugar. Insulin releases sugar into the cancer cell, and this causes the genes that enable the cancer cell to multiply. Scientists describe this effect as “like a foot on the gas pedal”, which triggers the growth of cancer cells.
Well, “if the foods we eat can turn off cancer genes and turn on tumor suppressor genes, what should we eat?” . The answer to this question is; It is the consumption of plenty of vegetables of different colors such as the rainbow. Vegetables are rich in phytochemicals, which protect plants from the environment, stressors, sun, toxins, and more. Humans need phytochemicals to be healthy. They affect our genes, strengthen immunity, provide detoxification, have a positive effect on heart health, ensure a healthy estrogen metabolism, prevent inflammation and feed the beneficial bacteria in our intestines.
Other components of a healthy diet are fats and proteins. The healthy choice in this regard is to consume foods containing fat such as avocado, fish, oil seeds (hazelnuts, walnuts), seeds, hazelnut oil and organic butter. In addition, olive oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil-milk, and avocado oil are other good choices.
Protein sources are eggs, fish, red meat, chicken, turkey. Unprocessed dairy milk, yogurt and cheese are other sources of protein. Cereals also contain protein. Animal protein sources should be preferred over free-range and organic ones.
People need to give importance to nutrition, which they underestimate, and get help from the right source to raise awareness on this issue. Developing the right nutritional strategies in cancer, avoiding foods and plants that may interfere with medical treatment, while including those who will help in the program may be beneficial.
Prof Dr Canfeza Sezgin
Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology Specialist
