Elevated Blood Sugar and Cancer - a connection?

I received this a while back from a friend I respect. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I share it with you...

"You put on a few extra pounds - especially around the middle. Your blood sugar goes up a bit. Is that a big deal? What's the worst that could happen?

Try cancer for starters!

When your blood sugar levels go up, your body produces more insulin and a protein called insulin-like growth factor to try and keep your blood sugar levels under
control. And both of those hormones stimulate the growth of cancer cells.

This has been known for years, but scientists have argued as to whether this was a real concern or just of theoretical interest.

Two recent studies - one in Korea and one in Sweden - have shown that this is a very real concern.

The Swedish study, published in the December 2009 issue of PLoS Medicine, followed 550,000 residents of Sweden, Norway and Austria for 10 years. It showed that high blood sugar levels increased the risk of cancer by 11% for women and 5% for men.

The cancers most affected by high blood sugar levels were cancers of the pancreas, gallbladder, liver and bladder - although the incidence of most other cancers was increased as well.

Interestingly, prostate cancer - the most common form of cancer in men - was not affected by high blood sugar levels. That explains why the effect of high blood
sugar on cancer incidence was lower in men than in women.

So what can you do if your blood sugar levels are starting to creep up? You probably know the answer already!

Weight control and exercise are the most important keys to keeping your blood sugar levels under control - although proper diet and appropriate supplementation are also important.

To Your Health!
Dr. S. G. Chaney"

Time to drop those extra pounds and get some exercise -- it's a recipe for good health for all of us.

Best of Health,
Susan