Cancer – HIV – Sugar

The Role of Carbohydrate Restriction in Cancer was first brought to my attention by a guy on the 52DC who had been diagnosed with some significant skin cancer.  I thought he was out in left field until I checked it out.  Yes – Cancer needs glucose to thrive.

In cancer cells, glucose starvation activates a metabolic and signaling feedback loop leading to cell death. Glucose starvation induces generation of reactive oxygen species generation (ROS), thereby inhibiting phosphatases and activating tyrosine kinases, which in turn generate additional ROS. This glucose starvation-induced positive feedback loop amplifies ROS levels until cells undergo ROS-mediated cell death.

 

 

Now scientists are saying that killing HIV’s sugar intake kills its growth.

A groundbreaking study reveals that starving HIV of sugar prevents it from reproducing.

Scientists at Northwestern Medicine and Vanderbilt University say that after the virus invades an activated immune cell, it craves sugar and nutrients from the cell to replicate and fuel its growth throughout the body.

Edit: 6-1-15:

This similarity between the two divergent diseases is amazing.  Check out this Article.

This discovery may have a connection for treatment of cancer, which has also a huge appetite for sugar and other nutrients located in the cell, which it feeds on to grow and spread.

So many diseases thrive on glucose.  Let’s starve them.

Blood Sugar Levels, Diabetes and Alzheimer

A recent Article in Medical X press stated that Scientists have found a new link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s:  The research is published in the May 4, 2015 The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

While many earlier studies have pointed to diabetes as a possible contributor to Alzheimer’s, the new study – in mice – shows that elevated glucose in the blood can rapidly increase levels of amyloid beta, a key component of brain plaques in Alzheimer’s patients. The buildup of plaques is thought to be an early driver of the complex set of changes that Alzheimer’s causes in the brain.

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The researchers also are investigating how changes caused by increased glucose levels affect the ability of brain regions to network with each other and complete cognitive tasks.

Meanwhile another Article in Medical X press found that “Low sugar uptake in brain appears to exacerbate Alzheimer’s disease.”

A deficiency in the protein responsible for moving glucose across the brain’s protective blood-brain barrier appears to intensify the neurodegenerative effects of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new mouse study from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC).

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Glucose is the brain’s main energy source, and GLUT1 helps move it across the blood-brain barrier, a cellular layer that prevents entry of blood and pathogens into the brain. Previous research has shown diminished glucose uptake in the brain among individuals at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, with a positive family history, and/or who develop the disease but show mild or no cognitive impairment. {Emphasis added.}

Are we confused yet?  Too much glucose can exacerbate the build up of plaque while the inability of delivering glucose to the brain intensifies the degenerative effects of Alzheimer;s disease.

Sounds like a double edge sword which can be blunted by a Ketogenic diet.  Then you reduce the bodies dependency on and reaction to glucose, while Ketones provide an alternate source of energy for the brain.  A win-win situation.

Healthy Tan – Yeah – Right!

We are in the midst of a significant Snow Storm.  I’m stuck in the house and if the electricity doesn’t go off – I’ll be able to get this posted today.

With the depths of winter upon us – my gym – Retro Fitness – is constantly hawking its tanning membership.  For just a few extra dollars a month – you can have unlimited tanning sessions.  Cheaper than a Caribbean vacation.

CVS has announced that is going to stop selling poison – cigarettes.  Are the tanning machines any less a cancer risk?  When will the fitness industry focus on health and not just money?

Why am I focusing on this – well – as I type, a friend is checking into the hospital for day surgery.  He is going to have a Stage 2 Melanoma removed.  I received this email from him last week:

I am going back to a strict ketogenic diet and may stay there.  My routine dermatology screening on Monday ended with removal of an interesting spot on my back which he told me was probably nothing…that changed with a call from the doctor on my cell phone Thursday – an early stage 2 melanoma.   He was as shocked as I was because it was not textbook.  Surgery next Thursday to cut more out and the first associated lymph nodes.   Less glucose in system,  less chance of cancer spreading, especially via blood according to some sources.  At least I feel like I’m trying to do something about it myself too.  I’ll be OK.

Wow – that is a slap up side the head – especially since he is a guy who works out and eats right – growing much of his own food.

The comment about going strictly ketogenic – and the reference to glucose and cancer surprised me.  Googled it and found a slew of Articles including this One.  You can read the article – but here is a quick take away:

1. People with the highest levels of blood glucose develop more cancers.

2. People with cancer, who also have the highest blood levels of glucose, survive least.

3. Cancer cells need supplies of common glucose to grow.

4. The choices – fasting or a ketogenic diet along with exercise which burns away excess glucose.

Years ago, I had a Basal Cell carcinoma removed from the bridge of my nose. So many hours laying out in the Sunday – getting a Healthy Tan – came back to haunt me.  Today – I revel in my un-tanned skin and have a wardrobe of hats for every season and every event.

Still – as I hunker down to wait out this snow storm – My thoughts and prayers are with my friend.

Edit: 2/14/14:

Yesterday they surgically removed a non typical stage 2 melanoma from my back.  They then removed 3 lymph nodes associated with the area and put in a drain tube.  They were under my arm.  All 3 lymph nodes will be sent for testing.   Hopefully they come back clean.

Here is a further link: to a National Institutes of Health report.