If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may need to limit your sugar or make other lifestyle changes.
Sugar doesn’t directly cause or worsen cancer. However, most Americans consume more than the recommended limit, which can lead to health problems that make it harder to fight cancer.
“There is no strong evidence that directly links sugar to increased cancer risk.”
– American Institute for Cancer Research
Working with a cancer dietitian on a mesothelioma diet and nutrition plan can help you balance your sugar intake.
Below, our team answers 5 of the top questions about cancer and sugar.
1. Should Mesothelioma Patients Avoid Sugar?
No, mesothelioma patients don’t need to avoid sugar altogether. However, they should keep their intake within the daily recommended limits.
The American Heart Association suggests:
- Men: No more than 9 teaspoons (150 calories) per day
- Women: No more than 6 teaspoons (100 calories) per day
Most Americans consume much more than this — an average of 17 teaspoons per day, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
After a mesothelioma diagnosis, many patients work with a dietitian to start a cancer-fighting meal plan, which may include consuming less sugar.
Limiting sugar is one way to control your health after a mesothelioma diagnosis, but there are other steps you can take. Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide now for more information on how to improve your well-being.
2. Does Sugar Feed Cancer?
Yes, cancer cells feed off sugar, but not much more than healthy cells do. Mayo Clinic notes that every cell in your body needs glucose, or blood sugar, to function. More sugar won’t allow cancer cells to grow or spread faster.
However, a high-sugar diet can lead to health problems that may increase the odds of developing cancer later in life.
Excess sugar intake can lead to:
- Elevated blood sugar levels
- High levels of insulin
- Obesity
Each of these is a potential risk factor for cancer, according to the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health.
3. Does Sugar Cause Cancers Like Mesothelioma?
No, sugar doesn’t cause mesothelioma. This cancer has only one known cause: asbestos exposure. You or a loved one could develop mesothelioma 10-50 years after exposure to asbestos-containing products.
“If there’s no asbestos, there’s no mesothelioma, it’s that simple. If you have mesothelioma and you say, ‘Well, I’ve never been exposed to asbestos,’ you were exposed to it. You just don’t know where or when.”
While sugar doesn’t cause mesothelioma, consuming too much can contribute to other health issues like obesity, which has been linked to cancer. Doctors are continuing to study other potential connections between sugar and cancer risk.
For example, a recent report in Cancers notes that sugar leads to inflammation, metabolism changes, and immune modulation, which may all increase the chances of developing cancer.
4. Can You Starve Cancer by Not Eating Sugar?
No, you can’t starve cancer cells by avoiding sugar, according to Mayo Clinic. However, some emerging mesothelioma treatments can potentially help starve cancer cells and tumors.
New targeted therapies called angiogenesis inhibitors deprive mesothelioma cells of a protein called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), preventing them from making blood vessels. Using anti-VEGF medication with other treatments could allow patients to live longer.
Other dietary changes may also help manage cancer. Mesothelioma survivor Arthur “Art” Putt received a mix of asparagus, cottage cheese, and beetroot powder as part of an alternative treatment.
Art credits this nutrition plan with transforming his quality of life. He still enjoys sugar in moderation. Every night, he has an ice cream bar with his wife while watching TV.
Download our Free Mesothelioma Nutrition Guide for top diet tips and recommendations from our registered nurses.
5. What Can Mesothelioma Patients Have Instead of Sugar?
Mesothelioma patients can adjust their diet to satisfy their sweet tooth while avoiding sugary foods.
Great alternatives to sugar include:
- Fruits: All kinds of fruit contain natural sugars and are healthier options than processed foods with sugar, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Try eating fruit instead of sugary desserts.
- Sugar-free or low-sugar beverages: Sparkling water or seltzers can replace soda and soft drinks, which are packed with sugar.
- Whole grains: These have natural sugars and help you maintain a healthy weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol, according to Mayo Clinic.
You should also be mindful of artificial sweeteners. Leading organizations like the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have found that aspartame, a leading sugar substitute, may be a possible carcinogen.
With help from mesothelioma doctors and dietitians, you can start a cancer-fighting nutrition plan while still enjoying sugar on occasion.
Find the Right Nutrition Plan for Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Many mesothelioma patients can continue to have sugar following a diagnosis, provided they stick to the recommended daily values.
“Avoiding sugar completely isn’t necessary for most of us. The important thing is to make sure that we’re consuming it in the context of an overall balanced diet.”
– Bethany Edge, renal dietitian at DaVita Kidney Care
Here’s what to remember about sugar and cancer tumors:
- Limiting sugar may help after a cancer diagnosis.
- Only asbestos causes mesothelioma, not sugar.
- Sugar doesn’t make mesothelioma tumors grow.
- You can’t starve cancer tumors by avoiding sugar.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you explore nutrition plans and connect with top doctors near you.
Call (866) 608-8933 now to get started or learn more with our Free Mesothelioma Nutrition Guide.
