I think few would disagree that pancreatic cancer is one of the more devastating cancers someone can be diagnosed with. 5 year survival rates are virtually unheard of. Because treatment is so dismal, prevention becomes critical.
The research continues to support the relationship between pro-diabetic lifestyles and pancreatic cancer. This particular study further supports this relationship, but looks at it a little more in depth.
A diet that is full of refined carbs (high fructose corn syrup, enriched wheat flour, sugar) is known to increase the body’s insulin response. This is very consistent with a pro-diabetic lifestyle.
The researchers looked at the insulin load of the diets of the study subjects combined with the caloric intake, creating what they called the insulin index. The insulin index was not related to pancreatic cancer at first look.
However, when they looked at the patients who were both obese and inactive, the insulin index now doubled the risk of pancreatic cancer. Doubled as a result of the lifestyles that these patients had adopted. Given that the rates of pancreatic cancer have been increasing with the Westernized lifestyle, any increase in risk is a bad thing.
Bottom line is to adopt an anti-diabetic lifestyle without refined carbs, hydrogenated oils, processed foods and environmental chemicals (like phthalates, BPA and flame retardants) while increasing our activity levels as well as our intake of fruits and veggies, omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains in the context of a high phytonutrient, low calorie diet.