Insulin can make breast cancer grow faster
By naturopath Margaret Jasinska
Insulin is an important and necessary hormone in the human body. The problem is, a lot of people make too much of it. That’s known as hyperinsulinaemia and can have dangerous health consequences.
New research has shown that human breast cancer cells have more than 6 times the number of insulin receptors than healthy breast cells. This enables glucose to bind to the cancerous cells and speed their growth. Breast cancer is a frightening disease and it’s becoming far too common. Approximately 1 in 7 women in Australia will develop invasive breast cancer in their life. Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are due to a strong family history or a known genetic mutation.
Many women are under the impression they can’t do anything to protect themselves against breast cancer; certainly in the media the emphasis is on early detection via mammograms. Breast cancer is a complex illness with several different risk factors and the disease behaves differently in different women. One thing is certain though, insulin and sugar can cause breast cancer to be more aggressive and spread more quickly.
A new study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation measured the quantity of insulin receptors on breast cancer cells. We have known for some time that the growth of breast cancer cells is under the regulation of hormones, growth factors and their receptors.
Researchers tested 159 breast cancer tissue specimens for insulin receptor content. What they found was quite startling; the number was more than sixfold higher than the mean value found in 27 normal breast tissues obtained from women who had a total mastectomy as well as the six normal specimens obtained from women receiving breast reduction surgery. The insulin receptor content in breast cancer tissues was also higher than in any normal tissue tested, including the liver which is supposed to be high in insulin receptors. Additionally, testing revealed that the insulin receptor content of the tumours correlated positively with tumour size, tumour grading, and the oestrogen receptor content. In summary, breast cancer cells with more insulin receptors are harder to treat and more life-threatening.
It is important to remember that insulin is a growth-promoting hormone. Your blood level of insulin spikes during puberty, when your body needs to grow rapidly. As an adult, you don’t require high levels of insulin. It can encourage the growth of tumours, fibroids, nodules, polyps, cysts, as well as excess body fat. The insulin receptors on the breast cancer cells bind with glucose. Glucose is then allowed to enter the cancer cells where it speeds up their growth. Sugar also raises inflammation in the body, and inflammation speeds cancer growth.
If you are wanting to prevent cancer or maximize your chances of survival if you currently have cancer, it is vital to keep your blood insulin level low. How would you know if your blood insulin level is elevated? There is a fasting insulin blood test that your doctor can order for you. A good clue is your waist circumference. People with a slim waist almost always have low-normal insulin levels.
Here are my recommendations on how to fix hyperinsulinaemia
Keep your carbohydrate intake low
Many people cannot handle common levels of carbohydrate in their diet. They oversecrete insulin in response to eating carbs and they are less likely to feel satisfied after a meal, therefore tend to overeat. That means carbohydrate needs to be restricted in the diet. It is best to get your carbohydrate from vegetables, along with small amounts of fruit, nuts, and seeds. There are easy to follow low carbohydrate eating plans in the books, I Can’t Lose Weight and I Don’t Know Why and Diabetes type 2, You Can Reverse It Naturally.
Protein
Protein is the most important nutrient for those wanting to reduce their blood insulin level. It is critical to eat protein at every meal because it is extremely satiating. It will help to make you feel more full and satisfied after a meal, and keep you feeling satisfied for longer. This way sticking to a healthy diet won’t be so much of a struggle. Examples of protein include eggs, seafood, poultry, and red meat. Dairy products, nuts, and seeds contain smaller levels of protein. Protein powders can be extremely helpful for those wanting to lose weight because they provide a quick, tasty and easy meal option for busy days. A protein powder smoothie can also make a delicious and filling snack mid-morning or in the afternoon, when you might be struggling with sugar cravings.
Don’t eat all day
It is best to eat 3 meals and avoid snacking. Fasting helps to lower blood insulin levels and it has many other health benefits. Fasting isn’t appropriate for everyone though. Fasting between meals will give you similar benefits.
Exercise lowers insulin
Ideally, you would do something you like and do it consistently. The more muscle you have on your body, the more insulin sensitive your cells will be, thus your blood level of this hormone should drop.
Herbs and nutrients
There are herbs and nutrients that can help to reduce elevated blood insulin levels. You may require the help of a naturopath or nutritionist.
Improve the health of your liver
A healthy liver is very important for blood sugar and insulin control. If you have a fatty liver it means you are insulin resistant. Clearing the fat from your liver is essential but can be hard. The suggestions above should help, along with the information in the book Fatty Liver: You Can Reverse It.
For more lifesaving information about cancer, see the book Cancer Survival Strategies.
i have fixed the fatty liver isse ( says my gp after scans and blood tests ) but i still follow the diet thought it might help my breast cancer , I found out that Tumeric is a no go for those on hormone treatement for cancer , are there any other foods /supplements of the liver diet that i should avoid?
Hi Julie,
Foods are fine but it is important to check with your doctor before taking any herbs while receiving treatment for cancer.
Kind regards,
Margaret