High-Fructose Diets Fuel Cancer Growth,Study Finds
A groundbreaking study from Washington University in St. Louis has revealed a startling connection between high-fructose diets and the accelerated growth of cancerous tumors. While cancer cells can’t directly use fructose for energy, the research indicates that metabolic byproducts of fructose consumption act as a sort of “building material,” enabling faster tumor progress.
The research, published in Nature, involved feeding zebrafish and mice with cancerous tumors diets varying in fructose content.The results were clear: a diet high in fructose substantially sped up tumor growth. This is particularly alarming given the dramatic increase in fructose consumption in Westernized nations over the past few decades – an estimated 15-fold increase since the 1960s, coinciding with a rise in cancer diagnoses among younger populations.
“Food always contains more fructose. Although cancer cells cannot use this sugar as an energy source, they benefit indirectly from a diet rich in fructose through metabolic products that they use as “building material” and can therefore grow faster,” explains the research team. this finding challenges the long-held belief that fructose is a healthier alternative to glucose.
The study highlights the critical role of diet in cancer development, adding to existing knowledge that genetic and environmental factors aren’t the sole contributors. While fructose is naturally present in fruits, the widespread use of high-fructose corn syrup in processed foods has significantly increased overall fructose intake.This raises concerns about the potential impact on public health, particularly given the rising rates of cancer among younger adults.
The researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into the specific mechanisms by which fructose accelerates tumor growth.However, the findings underscore the importance of maintaining a balanced diet, limiting processed foods high in added sugars, and consulting with healthcare professionals for personalized dietary advice.
This research serves as a crucial reminder of the profound impact dietary choices can have on overall health and well-being. By making informed decisions about what we eat, we can take proactive steps to mitigate our risk of developing various health problems, including cancer.
Fructose Consumption Linked to Accelerated Cancer Growth: Study
A groundbreaking new study published in Nature has unveiled a surprising connection between fructose consumption and the growth of cancerous tumors. Researchers have discovered that while cancer cells themselves may not directly metabolize fructose, the liver’s processing of this sugar produces metabolites that fuel tumor growth.
The research involved animal models were fructose consumption led to a meaningful acceleration of tumor growth across various tissues. “In certain specific cases, the growth rate of the tumors accelerated by double or even more,” the researchers noted. Remarkably, this growth occurred without changes in overall body weight, blood glucose, or insulin levels, suggesting a direct effect of fructose metabolites rather than altered sugar metabolism.
Human Cancer Cells and fructose: A Different Story
Interestingly, when human cancer cells were directly exposed to fructose in laboratory settings, they did not exhibit accelerated growth. “In most cases, they grew almost as slowly as if we gave them no sugar at all,” the researchers reported. This discrepancy pointed towards an indirect mechanism, prompting further investigation.
The researchers hypothesized that fructose’s metabolic byproducts, generated in the liver, were responsible for the observed tumor growth.Subsequent experiments confirmed that a fructose-rich diet led to a significant increase in blood lipid molecules, specifically lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs).
Liver’s Role: Producing Fuel for Cancer
Further investigation revealed that liver cells metabolize fructose using the enzymes ketohexokinase (KHK) and aldolase B,releasing LPCs into the bloodstream. Crucially, these enzymes are absent in the tumor cells themselves. This means the cancer cells cannot directly utilize fructose for energy but rather leverage the LPCs produced by the liver.
The study demonstrated that cancer cells effectively use these LPCs as “building material,” converting them into phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and incorporating them into their cell membranes. This was confirmed in cell cultures where the addition of fructose significantly boosted cancer cell growth.
This research suggests a novel mechanism by which fructose indirectly promotes cancer growth. “When we think about tumors, we have so far focused on what food components they consume directly.But humans are complex. What we put into our bodies can be consumed by healthy tissue and then converted into something else that tumors use,” explained one of the researchers. This finding opens up the possibility of dietary interventions to combat cancer.
The researchers cautiously suggest that cancer patients might benefit from reducing their fructose intake. “If you’re unlucky enough to have cancer, you should probably think about avoiding fructose,” one researcher advised. However, they emphasize the need for further clinical trials to validate this approach.
Nature, doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08258-3
