Energy production in our Cells and to fight cancer eat less carbohydrates
Written by Dr harold Gunatillake-health writer
Every cell in our body produces energy for survival. In each cell there is a structure called mitochondrion. In addition to supplying cellular energy mitochondria are involved in other tasks such as signalling cellular differentiation and cell death. Our red blood cells have no mitochondria, whilst the liver cell can have more than 2000. Each cell is composed of a cytoplasm which forms the main cell component, and a central nucleus. Mitochondria are found in the cytoplasm. The nucleus contains the DNA material.
Our cells produce energy in two ways: in the presence of oxygen then we call it aerobically or anaerobically in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic energy production by the mitochondria generates lactic acid which is considered toxic to the body. So we need to breathe in atmospheric air containing oxygen right through life to prevent lactic acid formation…
We all have cancer cells floating in our body controlled by the immune system. These cancer cells over-produce lactic acid in the presence of oxygen-aerobically. Now that would be the difference between our normal body cells and cancer cell metabolism.
In 1931 Dr Otto Warburg won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for this discovery. Today we call it “The Warburg Effect”- i.e. the production of lactic acid by the cancer cells in an aerobic environment.
On the other hand mitochondria in normal cells generate 18 times more energy aerobically in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is considered by biologists to be the energy currency of life. It is the high-energy molecule that stores the energy we need to do just about everything we do.
Warburg pointed out that the prime cause of cancer was the reversion of energy from aerobic energy generation to a more primitive form of energy production through anaerobic fermentation. That mechanism over-produces the toxic lactic acid.
Warburg believed that to reverse cancer you need to disrupt the energy production- i.e. aerobic energy generation through anaerobic fermentation.
This theory though not believed during his life time recently published article in The New York Times- Warburg’s theories are becoming more accepted.
Another theory Warburg believed was that cancer cells gets their energy to grow by burning sugar anaerobically (absence of oxygen molecule). What this means is that cancer cells thrive in the presence of sugar both aerobically and un-aerobically. By reducing the blood sugar to its lowest levels therapeutically seem to help to stop energy production in cancer cells. It has been found that metformin a drug given to diabetics to decrease serum glucose has anti-cancer effects because cancer cannot survive in a low-glucose environment.
So, to fight cancer eats less carbs and eat more fat and proteins. When we refer to fats, it is important to consume mono and polyunsaturated fats and less saturated fat.
It has been observed that diabetics who take metformin seem to have a less chance of dying from cancer.
To fight cancer you should eat less carbs. This needs further explanation. Most carbs are composed of carbs with added fibre- referred to as good carbs. Carbs without fibre is referred to as net carbs. Excellent sources of fibre carbs are seeds, berries, crucifers like cauliflowers and broccolis and Brussel sprouts.
Processed foods contain net carbs which should be reduced to about 40 grams per day.
In conclusion- to prevent cancer cells growing in your body consume less net carbs, more carbs with high fibre, poly and monounsaturated fats, and reduce saturated fats.
Sure cancer cells will be starved to death.
Some ref: to Dr Mercola’s book on “Fat for Fuel”
