Posted on:
Jul 19, 2018 05:54AM
- edited
Jul 19, 2018 05:54AM
by
Miza_73
M
Joined:
May 2018
Posts:
15
Latest activity:
Jan 25, 2022
Posted on:
Jul 19, 2018 05:54AM
- edited
Jul 19, 2018 05:54AM
by
Miza_73
Miza_73
wrote:
Hi everyone,
I really hope you can assist me with some of my queries.
I have come across many articles that promote carrots as a good source of cancer fighting food which is best consumed through juicing. Many testimonials of carrot juicing are also available on the web where those with terminal stage metastasis are able to control and recover from spread of their tumor.
The issue that I am faced with now are mainly on conflicting facts on the sugar effects to cancer. Primary understanding, cancer feeds on sugar. But the contradicting matter comes in where foods that are claimed to be anti-cancer are also heavy with sugar content.
I have been juicing carrots for my wife for several weeks now. Each day, she will consume 1 liter of carrot juice in the hope to manage and contain the spread of the disease. However, I came across some scary facts on carrots from a website called sugarstacks . It says there that 100g carrots contains 4.7g sugar. That is a lot of sugar, especially when in comparison, a 20 oz of Coca Cola has same sugar content of 1.4KG of carrots (1 Liter of juice is equivalent to 2.5KG of carrots).
Will you be able to share with me your thoughts on the effects of the sugar from the fruits and vegetables that we consume against manufactured sugar? Is there a difference? And is the sugar from fruits and vegetables feed cancer cells to an adverse effect?
I am getting very confused now with all these facts and really need some clarification on the matter.
I am a caregiver for my wife who is currently in treatment for her BC. She had undergone 6 chemo cycles and 30 radiation sessions.
Log in to post a reply
M
melissadallas
Joined:
Apr 2012
Posts:
7,153
Latest activity:
Mar 9, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Jul 19, 2018 08:38AM
melissadallas
wrote:
It is an over-simplification to say that "cancer feeds on sugar." All of our cells feed on carbohydrates. It has been shown to be beneficial to maintain a healthy weight and healthy blood glucose levels. Juicing is just mainlining tons of carbohydrates without any of the healthy fiber in whole fruits or vegetables to slow down the blood sugar spike. I don't understand how juicing is supposed to be healthy, when like you said, it can be the equivalent blood-sugar wise of drinking soft drinks.
LCIS, extensive sclerosing adenosis, TAH/BSO & partial omentectomy for mucinous borderline ovarian tumor.
Dx
5/20/2012, LCIS, Stage 0, 0/0 nodes
J
JaBoo
Joined:
Jun 2018
Posts:
516
Latest activity:
Feb 5, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Jul 19, 2018 10:27AM
JaBoo
wrote:
I agree with what is said above. I can't see anything healthy in juicing - you are removing the important and healthy part of the fruit/vegetable which is fibre. you are consuming large quantities of fructose in a very short time without the benefit of feeling full due to fibre. fructose goes directly to the liver and behaves exactly like alcohol (yes, alcohol). the only difference being it doesn't go into your head. the sugar spike from drinking such fructose amounts is overwhelming for your system.
theres nothing wrong with carrots, at least as far as I know. but I believe that removing the fibre creates just an oversweetened drink with some vitamins in it.
dx at 38
Dx
5/22/2018, IDC, Left, 2cm, Grade 3, 1/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+,
Surgery
6/14/2018 Lumpectomy: Left; Lymph node removal: Sentinel
Surgery
6/19/2018 Lumpectomy: Left
Hormonal Therapy
7/16/2018 Zoladex (goserelin)
Chemotherapy
7/16/2018 AC + T (Taxol)
Targeted Therapy
9/13/2018 Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
1/11/2019 Aromasin (exemestane)
Surgery
1/21/2019 Mastectomy: Left; Prophylactic mastectomy: Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Hormonal Therapy
6/27/2019 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Targeted Therapy
Nerlynx
M
moth
Joined:
Dec 2017
Posts:
4,720
Latest activity:
May 20, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Jul 19, 2018 10:55AM
moth
wrote:
I agree that the cancer feeds on sugar thing is an oversimplification because our bodies convert everything to glucose anyway.
I have two concerns about juicing:
a) it strips the fiber & thus alters the sugar/fiber ratio considerably. In addition to insoluble fiber being lost, I believe nutrients are lost as well in juicing versus making a smoothie or eating the vegetable. For those who like to drink their veg, a smoothie (made in a high power blender like a vitamix) is, in my opinion, a better option. See "Why smoothies are better than juicing" https://nutritionfacts.org/2016/06/09/juicing-remo...
I'm a big green smoothie fan (raw kale or spinach etc blended with blueberries, apples, lemon for example) but during chemo I've stopped having those because of point b .
b) if on chemotherapy, it is IMO important to be aware of your neutrophil levels. When I'm neutropenic on chemo, I stop eating raw veg - lightly steam or broil everything. The only raw fruit I consume is fruit that you peel such as oranges and bananas. Even though it's berry season here, no raw berries for me as my neutrophils are still barely hovering around 1 right now. Instead, I thoroughly wash gently heat the berries until they start to burst and softe and it makes like a chunky warm syrup/compote and then have them over my oats or just eat them with a spoon. I was hospitalized twice for febrile neutropenia and getting a GI infection is not something I wanted to risk. For more on neutropenic diets: http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/ca...
I take weekends off Initial dx at 50. Seriously?? “Sometimes the future changes quickly and completely and we’re left with only the choice of what to do next." blog: Never Tell Me the Odds
Dx
12/2017, IDC, Left, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-
Surgery
12/12/2017 Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Left); Lymph node removal
Chemotherapy
2/14/2018 AC + T (Taxol)
Radiation Therapy
8/13/2018 Whole breast: Breast
Dx
2/2020, IDC, Left, Stage IV, metastasized to liver/lungs, Grade 3, ER-/PR-, HER2-
Chemotherapy
3/18/2020 Taxol (paclitaxel)
Immunotherapy
3/19/2020 Tecentriq (atezolizumab)
Chemotherapy
11/26/2020 Abraxane (albumin-bound or nab-paclitaxel)
Radiation Therapy
12/9/2020 External
Hormonal Therapy
12/16/2020 Femara (letrozole)
Radiation Therapy
3/3/2021 External
Local Metastases
3/3/2021 Radiation therapy: Bone
Targeted Therapy
1/1/2022 Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
K
ksusan
Joined:
Feb 2015
Posts:
4,580
Latest activity:
Mar 14, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Jul 19, 2018 10:57AM
ksusan
wrote:
Tamoxifen is now being shown to promote type 2 diabetes, so people with ER+ cancers who do or might take it should be very careful about consuming that much sugar consistently.
Mutant uprising quashed.
Dx
1/2015, IDC, Right, Stage IIA, 1/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Dx
1/2015, DCIS, Left, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, HER2-
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Surgery
Lymph node removal; Mastectomy; Mastectomy (Left); Mastectomy (Right)
Radiation Therapy
Whole breast
Chemotherapy
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
M
Miza_73
Joined:
May 2018
Posts:
15
Latest activity:
Jan 25, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Jul 20, 2018 03:45AM
- edited
Jul 20, 2018 03:46AM
by
Miza_73
This Post was deleted by Miza_73.
M
Miza_73
Joined:
May 2018
Posts:
15
Latest activity:
Jan 25, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Jul 20, 2018 03:48AM
- edited
Jul 20, 2018 03:49AM
by
Miza_73
Thanks everyone for the input.
I am still new and trying to understand the whole concept of healthy diet and food intake. And as I learn, there are many contradicting facts discovered.
I am a caretaker for my wife and I am oblivious to many things about good food, carb intake and even blood sugar. I am only aware of these since she was diagnosed and I need to make her healthy again.
Thank you for your insights, I am learning more from all your comments.
And @Moth... now that you mentioned the tamoxifen effect, my wife's sugar level seems to be high these days. She started Tamoxifen a month ago, will keep a check on this too.
M
moth
Joined:
Dec 2017
Posts:
4,720
Latest activity:
May 20, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Jul 20, 2018 10:42AM
moth
wrote:
Miza - I would suggest for you to read through a thread called Diet and Lifestyle where several of us have been posting evidence based recommendations for improving outcomes. (the top of the first page of the thread is a bit messy as an old version of this thread got deleted so we're talking about that instead of the actual topic.... later pages have actual recommendations and suggestions.
This link will take you to my first post on that thread, on the single biggest lifestyle modification proven to improve outcomes : exercise
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topics...
best wishes to you & your wife ~
I take weekends off Initial dx at 50. Seriously?? “Sometimes the future changes quickly and completely and we’re left with only the choice of what to do next." blog: Never Tell Me the Odds
Dx
12/2017, IDC, Left, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-
Surgery
12/12/2017 Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Left); Lymph node removal
Chemotherapy
2/14/2018 AC + T (Taxol)
Radiation Therapy
8/13/2018 Whole breast: Breast
Dx
2/2020, IDC, Left, Stage IV, metastasized to liver/lungs, Grade 3, ER-/PR-, HER2-
Chemotherapy
3/18/2020 Taxol (paclitaxel)
Immunotherapy
3/19/2020 Tecentriq (atezolizumab)
Chemotherapy
11/26/2020 Abraxane (albumin-bound or nab-paclitaxel)
Radiation Therapy
12/9/2020 External
Hormonal Therapy
12/16/2020 Femara (letrozole)
Radiation Therapy
3/3/2021 External
Local Metastases
3/3/2021 Radiation therapy: Bone
Targeted Therapy
1/1/2022 Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
W
wc3
Joined:
Jun 2018
Posts:
1,487
Latest activity:
May 20, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Jul 20, 2018 11:01AM
- edited
Jul 20, 2018 11:03AM
by
wc3
I am by no means an expert on this but consuming a lot of fruit juice to combat cancer never made sense to me because it's a lot of sugar, mainly fructose, in a small period of time, which spikes blood sugar.
Modern orange carrots, while not a fruit, are a result of fairly modern selective breeding and were bred specifically for their high sugar content.
They also contain a lot if beta carotene, which might be beneficial, but I really couldn't say if any benefit out weighs the cons.
I have never heard any dietician or nutritionist recommend a lot of juicing. They are more likely to recommend eating fruit in moderation.
Pathologic complete response (pCR) to chemotherapy.
Dx
2018, IDC, Left, 3cm, Grade 3, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Chemotherapy
6/1/2018 Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Surgery
11/15/2018 Lymph node removal; Lymph node removal (Left): Sentinel; Mastectomy; Mastectomy (Left); Mastectomy (Right); Reconstruction (Left): Tissue Expander; Reconstruction (Right): Tissue Expander
Hormonal Therapy
Arimidex (anastrozole), Zoladex (goserelin)
Targeted Therapy
Perjeta (pertuzumab)
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Surgery
Reconstruction (Left): Silicone implant; Reconstruction (Right): Silicone implant
M
Miza_73
Joined:
May 2018
Posts:
15
Latest activity:
Jan 25, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Jul 24, 2018 05:58AM
Miza_73
wrote:
Hi Moth,
Thank you for your kind wish and the link.
I agree with you on exercising.
My wife, to my admiration.. is very strong willed. She had started exercising once she could raise her hand after the lymph node removal surgery. On a daily basis, she does 3 - 4 KM walk/jog. She was weak in the beginning, but over time had improved on strength - very positive outcome.
S
snowday123
Joined:
Jul 2017
Posts:
21
Latest activity:
May 11, 2022
Log in to post a reply
Nov 25, 2021 12:51PM
snowday123
wrote:
I’m currently doing 5-7 cups of unpeeled carrot juice daily after reading of the success of Ann Cameron using 5 cups of characters a day to cure colon cancer metastasized to her lungs.
She encourages people to write her with their success or failure and is adamant that while not foolproof it seems to help most people at least somewhat - occasionally there's a knock your socks off win which is what she (and Ralph Cole - metastatic squamous cell carcinoma) experienced. Don’t know if it translates to a breast cancer diagnosis
She wrote a book called carrots cure cancer - and the reviews are interesting. Also, research in mice found chemicals in carrot juice that seem to eliminate tumors. The research was only preliminary as obviously carrots are not a profitable treatment and will not elicit an expensive phase 3 clinical trial.
Lots of substances out there with anti-cancer activity that will just never be studied. I use a cheap juicer and plenty of pulp left to mitigate sugar spike. She can test her blood sugar after juicing if she’s concerned. Research flaxseed and flaxseed oil too! And muscadine grape extract. Easy, delicious additions to diet