Does insulin play a role in prostate cancer?

[shueswim]

blog.designsforhealth.com/n...

I came across this article recently and wondered if anyone had an opinion?

[shueswim]

I’m all eyes and ears 😀

[cashlessclay in reply to shueswim]

Using dietary means to slow/stop prostate cancer is a complex subject.

I have been experimenting with carefully measured and strictly enforced

diet modifications for eight years. I have over 50 ultrasensitive PSA readings

used to determine which foods and food preparation techniques work and

which do not.

As for insulin, I found it to be an absolute diet killer when not contained.

Breakfast is the most important meal to contain insulin response. For example,

I have oatmeal for breakfast. If I use the wrong oatmeal, if I presoak the oatmeal,

if I cook it with too much water, if I add too much milk, if I have it with too many

berries . . . each one of these, by itself, can and have destroyed my diet.

The complexity of the cancer/diet relationship is profound. Why anyone would

make simple dietary changes, such as the amount of vegetables one eats, and

expect results, is inconsistent with my eight years of experimenting.

erc.bioscientifica.com/view...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ec.bioscientifica.com/view/...

erc.bioscientifica.com/view...

[dhccpa in reply to cashlessclay]

Still at it after eight years?

[Tall_Allen]

Probably not. IGF inhibitors and metformin have so far proved ineffective:

prostatecancer.news/2019/11...

[Ahk1 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I am not diabetic. I couldn’t get any doctor to give me metformin so I used Berberine for 3 months. It failed to stop or slow my rising PSA. This is just my own personal experience.

[Tall_Allen]

Almost all clinical trials fail to show a benefit. That's why they are done. "Positive anecdotes" depend on whom you talk to and what you want to hear. Peer-reviewed publications in recognized journals is all you or anyone else should be paying attention to.

[kaptank in reply to Tall_Allen]

Treatment for PCa predisposes us toward metabolic syndrome much more than the general population. Some of us may not be over the line, but we all have elevated insulin and blood sugar. We don't need another co-morbidity. On top of that there is plenty of evidence that such a body state is not be good for PCa patients. I take metformin not because of its effect on PCa. I take it because it does what it says on the packet: control insulin and blood sugar to more normal levels.

[Tall_Allen in reply to kaptank]

It is definitely a good drug to take for what it is intended.

[Jalbom49 in reply to kaptank]

Me too. I redeveloped hyperglycemia on ADT after I had reversed it previously and was off all drug. Using a ketogenic diet and time restricted eating I have returned my A1C to normal, back on metformin. Took 9 months.

Incidentally metformin lowers testosterone.

[LearnAll]

Metabolic syndrome is an established risk factor for PCa and even mortality from Covid19.

[Zhyravlik]

Hi! I think it is!Father has been taking metformin for over 3 years. But he doesn't follow the diet. Therefore, sugar could not stay within the normal range. In April he was transferred to insulin injections. And in May he started having back pain and PSA began to grow rapidly. Coincidence? I don't think so...

🤔

[Cooolone]

Well, let's see. Anecdotal I guess because my blood wasn't taken weekly, monthly or whatever and examined. But with the onset of PCa diagnosis and concurrent identification of increased blood sugars, I did some homework. I didn't want to add another drug to everything that was going on (Metformin)... So I began Milk Thistle and Berberine consumption, and yes, along with some dietary changes. My blood sugar after a few months was at borderline normal. Then a few months later, normal. Of course there were discussions with my doctor regarding this, but primarily dismissed and associated more with dietary changes he assured me. I'm not so sure, wasn't then, and not now either am I convinced it didn't help. How or why? Well with the reemergence or actual persistence of my PCa and new diagnosis to Stg.IV this past summer/fall, I stopped all supplemental dieting and just returned to normal, regular food and no add-ons. As a result, my blood sugar has shot up, and of course through the recent holidays, was even higher. Anecdotal? Or real...? Well... In a few weeks I have a follow up with my Integrative Medicine Doctor in regard to this all, ie, dieting and supplements, especially in regard to upcoming Chemo. So we shall see because I want to reintroduce what I was doing and add another one of two things. And before the naysayers jump in, yeah, I know and I'm fully cognizant of the fact that any diet or supplementation is complementary and not in any way expecting anything to impact my PCa, but if it impacts my blood levels and allows me to enjoy meals and eating what I want, then it's worth it!

Anyways, lots of good information provided here. Thanks!

[noahware in reply to Cooolone]

As you are probably already aware, even if it can't be proven that dietary change might slow PC progression, there are many studies on how diet might either improve the effectiveness of, or reduce side effects of, therapies like chemo and radiation. These include intermittent fasting, carb restriction, and protein (methionine) restriction. Investigate, and good luck with the chemo!

[pjoshea13]

Various sites foster the "sugar feeds cancer" myth. This is particularly incorrect for PCa. High levels of glucose appear not to affect the rate of PCa growth. So why would associated glucose spikes be a concern?

It's common in our society for men in our age group to have lost insulin sensitivity. The body reacts by secreting higher levels. There is one group that has "solved" the insulin problem. Diabetics suffer a burn-out of the beta cells that produce insulin. Within 12 months of a diabetes diagnosis, they have a reduced risk for PCa. This is the only cancer where diabetics have a reduced cancer risk.

My feeling is that PCa is almost a symptom of the metabolic syndrome. A key issue is the accumulation of visceral fat - particularly periprostactic fat.

For me, the case against diet as a PCa risk, does not involve saturated fat or fat itself, but meals that cause insulin to spike. The food pyramids that have carbohydrates at the base contribute to this - as do food products labeled as "fat-free" or "LO-FAT.

-Patrick

[Blueslover]

Hi Gene - hope you are doing well

[shueswim in reply to Blueslover]

I’m doing well Hugh, I hope you are as well.

[Blueslover in reply to shueswim]

Yes, pretty good thanks. On both Lupron and Daralutamide now and 'In remission' so he says. No complaints.Be well!

[bluesnjazz]

There is ample research evidence to show that not only glucose, but insulin also feeds cancer cells. Google it.