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packman

(16,296 posts)
Thu Oct 19, 2017, 11:35 AM Oct 2017

Linkage between sugar and cancer found



Most non-cancerous cells in the body get their energy by aerobic respiration, a process that involves breaking down digested food into usable, energy-rich molecules through a series of chemical processes that requires oxygen, then releasing carbon dioxide as a byproduct. But not cancer cells. Even when ample oxygen is available to break down glucose and use it as fuel, cancer cells would rather get energy from fermenting sugar, which has a lower energy yield than the normal chemical reactions cells use. This phenomenon is called the 'Warburg effect'

Their findings suggest that the most common cancer-causing genes, called Ras proteins, fuel aggressive tumors with their sugar intake. In short, sugar “awakens” existing cancer cells, making them multiply and expand rapidly, according to these scientists.


“ The hyperactive sugar consumption of cancerous cells leads to a vicious cycle of continued stimulation of cancer development and growth” lead study author and Belgian molecular biologist Johan Thevelein, a professor at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, wrote in a press release.

http://www.businessinsider.com/cancer-sugar-tumor-growth-warburg-effect-2017-10
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lunasun

(21,646 posts)
2. I have been reading about this for years. People look at me sideways if I say it so thanks for
Thu Oct 19, 2017, 11:42 AM
Oct 2017

a link with research info.

sharp_stick

(14,400 posts)
3. Such a sensationalistic article
Thu Oct 19, 2017, 11:56 AM
Oct 2017

Publications are always doing this when an interesting paper is published.

Also to keep the actual work in context.

"Victoria Stevens, a cancer researcher with the American Cancer Society who was not involved in the study, said this research is great, but it comments only on "about one product made during the breakdown of glucose to produce energy." In other words, it's a small step in a long process.

"They are providing a potential way (the Warburg effect) could be a cause of cancer, but they are a long way away from saying this could actually happen," Stevens said."

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