The Metabolic Theory of Cancer

Back in the 1920’s, German scientist Otto Warburg (winner of the most Nobel prizes in history), discovered that cancer feeds on glucose – that is, sugar from our diet. That includes all forms of sugar and carbohydrates.

Therefore, in the past few decades some have proposed consumption of any and all sugars and carbohydrates is the root cause of cancer.

Their solution? Going on a ketogenic diet. That’s eating NO carbohydrates at all, just protein and fat.

Our bodies can use protein and fat, in the form of ketones, for energy. You can also buy ketone products to supplement whatever fat is in your diet.

However, ALL of our cells feed on sugar. 

And avoiding all carbohydrates does not appear to “starve” tumors. Cancer can use ketones for energy as well.

Studies have found ketones fuel growth of breast cancer, and drive metastasis.

Your liver is the organ that converts ingested fat into ketones, so that may explain so why breast cancer cells metastasize to the liver.

Researchers not only do NOT see ketones as a way to starve cancer, they’re looking for drugs to BLOCK production of ketones in cancer patients. That is what would actually starve cancer cells.

Marketers selling you on a ketogenic diet have anecdotes, but not one scientific study has found measurable benefit for cancer patients on a ketogenic diet.

That doesn’t mean you should gorge yourself on candy or other processed carbohydrates. Consumption of excess, empty (nonnutritional) calories, especially sugar, is not healthy.

It does mean you shouldn’t be afraid to eat plenty of healthy carbohydrate-rich foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

And consuming extra ketones may well be risky, given that we all do constantly have cancer cells.

The Lesson the Otto Warburg Effect Teaches

He found that cells become cancerous when they lose 60% of their needed oxygen.

Therefore, the action takeaway is:

*Keep all your cells well oxygenated.

That means do everything you can to keep your heart, lungs and entire circulatory system functioning at peak strength and efficiency.

* Eat a heart-healthy diet.

* Exercise.

* Breathe properly.

* Get plenty of sleep.

Those actions will also lower your body’s inflammation – which itself reduces cancer risk.

They also will help you lose weight or at least prevent obesity, which is itself highly correlated with cancer risk.