Synopsis
A recent study indicates that a traditional Western diet high in salt, sugar, and fat may significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. This research highlights the importance of dietary choices in the prevention of such diseases.Key Takeaways
- Western diet linked to lung cancer risk.
- Glycogen serves as an oncogenic metabolite.
- Higher glycogen correlates with worse tumor growth.
- Public awareness is crucial for healthier diets.
- A nutrient-rich diet is essential for long-term health.
New Delhi, March 14 (NationPress) A study has revealed that the Western diet, which is frequently rich in salt, sugar, and fat, may elevate the risk of lung cancer. Past studies have established a connection between unhealthy diets and cancers affecting organs such as the liver and pancreas, highlighting the extensive research on the long-term effects of diet.
“Traditionally, lung cancer has not been associated with dietary factors,” stated Ramon Sun, an Associate Professor and the director of the University of Florida’s Center for Advanced Spatial Biomolecule Research.
“Diseases like pancreatic or liver cancer are linked to diet. However, the notion that diet could influence lung cancer remains largely unexamined,” Sun added.
The research, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, focused on glycogen accumulation—a storage molecule derived from glucose, which is a simple sugar. Elevated levels of glycogen have been observed in various cancers and other diseases.
Utilizing laboratory models and computer-driven simulations of glycogen stores in the lungs, the research team demonstrated that in cases of lung cancer, glycogen functions as an oncogenic metabolite, likening it to a “giant lollipop for cancer's sweet tooth.”
The presence of glycogen in cancer cells correlates with increased tumor size and severity.
Experiments on mice fed a high-fat, high-fructose Western diet that resulted in elevated glycogen levels in the blood showed enhanced growth of lung tumors. Conversely, when glycogen levels were reduced, tumor growth also diminished.
In summary, the typical Western diet raises glycogen levels, which in turn nourishes lung cancer tumors by supplying essential growth components, according to the researchers.
Glycogen serves as an “exceptional predictor” of tumor progression and mortality in patients with lung cancer, stated Sun.
Sun stressed the importance of increasing public awareness and implementing policy-driven approaches to encourage healthier dietary choices, similar to anti-smoking initiatives.
“Focusing on a nutrient-rich diet, leading an active lifestyle, and reducing alcohol consumption are key strategies for long-term health,” the team concluded.
