Scientists Discover Unexpected Link Between Diet and Lung Cancer Risk

When thinking about lung cancer risk, most people likely associate it with smoking or air pollution. However, recent research has uncovered a surprising connection between the disease and the quality of our diets.

Glycogen’s Role in Lung Cancer Development

Researchers from the University of Florida and the University of Kentucky have identified that glycogen, a molecule responsible for storing glucose, could potentially drive the development of certain types of lung cancer.

The team found higher levels of glycogen in human lung adenocarcinoma tissue samples, the form of cancer that causes 40 percent of global lung cancer cases. In experiments with mice, the researchers observed that increased glycogen levels accelerated tumor growth, while eliminating the molecule slowed down cancer progression.

This study utilized a technique known as spatial metabolomics, which helps scientists pinpoint the characteristics of small molecules in relation to their location within tissue. For their analysis, the team used a platform specifically designed for tissue evaluation.

“This platform provides a new perspective on diseases, allowing researchers to uncover molecular patterns and interactions with a level of detail that was previously unattainable,” said molecular biologist Ramon Sun from the University of Florida.

Glycogen: A Fuel Source for Cancer Cells

Although scientists have been exploring the role of glycogen in various cancers for some time, this study highlights its potential to serve as a fuel source for cancer cells, enabling rapid growth that could overwhelm the body’s immune defenses.

Glycogen, derived from the carbohydrates in our diet, is an important energy reserve in muscles, which our body taps into during exercise. It essentially stores glucose that is not immediately needed.

Interestingly, glycogen accumulates in response to a diet high in fat and carbohydrates. In this study, mice fed a high-fat, high-carb diet showed significantly more lung cancer growth compared to those on different diets.

While researchers need to conduct further studies to establish a direct link between diet and lung cancer in humans, they observe a correlation.

Shifting Focus in Cancer Prevention: A Call for Dietary Awareness

Our long-term approach to cancer prevention should reflect the success of anti-smoking campaigns—focusing more on public awareness and policy-driven strategies that encourage healthier dietary choices as a fundamental aspect of disease prevention, said Sun.

It’s important to note that researchers found elevated glycogen levels only in lung adenocarcinoma tissue, not in other types of lung cancer, such as lung squamous cell carcinoma. This difference warrants further exploration.

For now, this research serves as a reminder of the significant role our diets play in overall health.Just as red meat and alcohol link to certain types of cancer, researchers may soon add lung cancer to the list of diseases associated with a Western-style diet.

Sun says, People have never considered lung cancer a disease influenced by diet. Cancers like pancreatic or liver cancer are often discussed in this context, but the role of diet in lung cancer is rarely considered.

Read th original article on: Science Alert

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