DURHAM, N.C. -- A diet low in carbohydrates may help stunt the growth of prostate tumors, according to a new study led by Duke Prostate Center researchers. The study, in mice, suggests that a reduction in insulin production possibly caused by fewer carbohydrates may stall tumor growth.
“This study showed that cutting carbohydrates may slow tumor growth, at least in mice,” said Stephen Freedland, M.D., a urologist at Duke University Medical Center and lead researcher on the study. “If this is ultimately confirmed in human clinical trials, it has huge implications for prostate cancer therapy through something that all of us can control, our diets.”
The reason a low carb diet "stalls" tumor growth is because fungus feeds on carbs. Tumors in the prostate are fungus. You can read about it at Doug Kaufmann's website:
It's a possibility but so far, it's just one of many theories out there. The study offers other potential mechanisms for this effect (in an animal model).
Keep in mind that Dr. Dean Ornish also found success combating prostate cancer with a low-fat diet (high-carb ... fungus-inducing) and plenty of soy.
In my experience, things aren't quite so simple as a single cause for such a disease.
Here's another study, by another group of researchers, that supports the findings of the previous study (in this thread).
Quote:
High Carb Diet Linked to Prostate Tumor Growth
ScienceDaily (Nov. 27, 2007) — A diet high in refined carbohydrates, like white rice or white bread, is associated with increased prostate tumor growth in mice.
Having too much insulin in the blood, a condition called hyperinsulinemia, is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with prostate cancer. Vasundara Venkateswaran, Ph.D., of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto and colleagues investigated whether high insulin levels caused by eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates would lead to more rapid growth of prostate tumors in mice.
Forty mice were randomly assigned to either a high carbohydrate-high fat diet or a low carbohydrate-high fat one for nine weeks. The researchers measured the animals' weight, tumor size, and insulin levels weekly. Mice on the high carbohydrate diet gained more weight, had faster growing tumors, and had higher insulin levels than mice on the low carbohydrate diet.
"Our results provide support for the concept that diets associated with a reduction in insulin level may have benefits for prostate cancer patients, particularly for the subset of patients who are hyperinsulinemic," the authors write.
Adapted from materials provided by Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2007, November 27). High Carb Diet Linked to Prostate Tumor Growth.
Low-Carb Diet May Help Slow Prostate Cancer
Fungus feeds on carbs!
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