DIET plays a vital role in reducing cancer risk.
High red meat intake has been linked to increased risk of bowel cancer, while alcohol, even in moderate amounts, has been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.
Risk of lung cancer may be impacted by poor diet choices[/caption]
Now, a new study has suggested risk of another cancer may be affected by poor diet choices – lung cancer.
The study, led by University of Florida researchers and published in Nature Metabolism, has shown an association between a high-fat, high-sugar diets and the most common cause of cancer death in the UK.
This deadly duo triggers the buildup of glycogen, the stored form of glucose, in lung tissue, creating what researchers call a “giant lollipop for cancer’s sweet tooth”.
“Lung cancer has not traditionally been thought of as a dietary-related disease,” said Ramon Sun, an associate professor and director of the UF Center for Advanced Spatial Biomolecule Research, who worked on the study.
“Diseases like pancreatic cancer or liver cancer, yes. However, when it comes to lung cancer, the idea that diet could play a role is rarely discussed.”
The research team first analysed tissue samples from cancer patients.
Lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that starts in the glands that line the lungs, accounts for 40 per cent of lung cancer diagnoses worldwide.
They found lung adenocarcinoma tumours contained significantly higher levels of glycogen compared to both normal lung tissue and other types of lung cancer.
Higher glycogen levels in these tumours were linked to more advanced cancer and poorer survival rates.
The team conducted experiments using mice with altered genetics to directly control glycogen metabolism.
By breeding mice lacking a key glycogen-regulating enzyme called laforin, they created animals that accumulated more glycogen.
For two weeks the mice were fed either water or high-fructose corn syrup, corn oil, or a combination of both.
Only the combination diet was shown to dramatically increase lung glycogen levels.
The mice on this diet developed more numerous and higher-grade tumours.
When the researchers removed the gene for glycogen synthase, which shuts the body’s ability to produce glycogen, tumour growth was shown to be dramatically reduced.
This was strong evidence that glycogen production is essential for lung adenocarcinoma tumour development.
The ‘Western diet’ was shown to fuel lung tumour growth[/caption]
The ‘Western diet’ is a modern dietary pattern characterised by high intakes of processed foods, refined grains, red meat, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats, while being low in fruits, vegetables, and fibre.
Looking at the results of the study, this may create conditions that make lung tissue more vulnerable to aggressive cancer growth.
“In the long term, our approach to cancer prevention should mirror the success of the anti-smoking campaign — placing greater emphasis on public awareness and policy-driven strategies that promote healthier dietary choices as a fundamental component of disease prevention,” Sun said.
Another benefit of focusing on glycogen is the variety of treatment options available.
Currently, three types of drugs target glycogen levels, study collaborator Matthew Gentry, a professor and chair of biochemistry and molecular biology at the UF College of Medicine said.
“Prioritising a nutrient-rich diet, maintaining an active lifestyle and minimising alcohol intake are foundational strategies for long-term health,” he added.
“Fostering better dietary habits can be a powerful tool in lung cancer prevention.”
Best ways to reduce your cancer risk
Making some simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer.
The NHS recommends doing the following:
