A recent study has shown that the Western diet, often loaded with salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. While poor dietary habits have been associated with liver and pancreas cancer for a long time, this research suggests that what we eat can also play an important role in the development of lung cancer.

How diet affects lung cancer risk

According to Professor Ramon Sun, the director of the University of Advanced Spatial Biomolecule Research, Florida, lung cancer is not traditionally not associated with dietary factors. Diseases like pancreatic or liver cancer, yes. However, when it comes to lung cancer, the idea that the diet can play a role, rarely discussed, explained.

Published in Nature Metabolism Journal, focused on glycogen accumulation, a storage molecule composed of glucose. Previous research has shown that excessive glycogen accumulation can promote tumor growth in various cancers. Researchers found that in cases of lung cancer, glycogen acts as a powerful oncogenic metabolite, essentially served as a huge lollipop for the sweet tooth of cancer.

When mice were fed a high fat, high-fructose western diet, their blood glycogen levels increased, and lung tumors increased more aggressively. Conversely, when the level of glycogen decreased, the growth of the tumor slowed significantly. This suggests that additional glycogen provides fuel for lung cancer cells, which helps them grow rapidly and more aggressively.

Glycogen is an extraordinary good prophet of the development of tumors and survival rates in lung cancer patients, the sun emphasized.

What can be done

Given the increasing prevalence of processed and fast food in Western diets, researchers are urging more public awareness about links between nutrition and lung cancer. Professor Sun called on policy strategies similar to anti-smoking campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of high-fed, high-sugar diet.

But beyond government policies, personal lifestyle changes can play an important role in reducing the risk of dietary cancer.

Lifestyle changes to keep your health in mind

If the Western diet contributes to the risk of lung cancer, transfer to a healthy lifestyle can help reduce it. What experts recommend here

Adopt a complete food diet – choose fiber, antioxidant and lean protein -rich, complete, discovered foods. Include a lot of vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds in your food.

Cut on sugar and processed carbs – contribute to high fructose intake and processed foods glycogen accumulation from soda. Exchange sugar for water, herbal tea, or fresh juice.

For healthy fats, change saturated fat from fried foods such as opt-avocados, nuts, olive oil and fatty fish, which provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

Stay active – Regular physical activity helps regulate blood sugar levels, reduces additional glycogen storage that can fuel the development of tumors. Target for moderate exercise of at least 150 minutes per week.

Limit alcohol consumption – Alcohol has been linked to many cancers including lung cancer. Reducing intake can support overall health and reduce risk factors.

Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke – while diet plays a role, smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. Smoking-free life connecting a healthy diet is the best way to protect the health of the lungs.

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