Cancer spread increases with higher bad ‘blood fat’ levels

People don’t die of cancer, the die from metastases – it’s spread. And a number of cancers, like breast and prostate cancer seem aided in their spread by higher LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) and triglyceride levels in the blood. Researchers in Spain have discovered ´why?´Not all cancer cells are equal. Certain types of cancer cells contain CD36, a receptor for fat uptake, and it is these cancer cells that spread in the body. This action, called metastasis, is what makes cancer a killer with 90 per cent of cancer deaths linked to metastases.

Researchers from Barcelona led by Salvador Aznar Benitah at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (Nature) are studying antibodies to block CD36.

But obviously, people with cancer can do a lot to help themselves by losing weight (which will lower triglyceride levels), and swapping their bad saturated fat consumption for the healthy fats of the Rainbow Diet – fats and oils like fish oils, extra virgin olive oil, walnut oil, avocado and seeds like pumpkin and sunflower.

Chris Woollams, former Oxford University Biochemist and a founder of CANCERactive commented, “A number of studies have shown that high levels of triglycerides and LDL in the blood are linked to lower survival times. We have covered research, for example, on the link between blood triglyceride levels and prostate cancer resurgence. Some oncologists in London have already been using low dose statins like atorvastatin to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood. We prefer lycopene, a natural compound from tomatoes, which has research supporting its statin-like effects without the side-effects.

One research study covered in Cancer Watch showed that cancer cell surfaces were highly inflamed and this encouraged bad fats to ‘stick’ to the surface forming a fatty coat and blocking the immune system ability to see the cancer cells. Scientists believe this is one reason why a small daily aspirin (75-81mg) can be so helpful because it reduces inflammation. Other studies have shown increased survival times when people take common antihistamines like Loratadine as cancer cells have histamine receptors which prompt inflammation. Quercitin (in apples and onions), vitamin C, basil, chamomile, parsley, fennel, mushrooms oregano and thyme are all natural antihistamines found in the colourful Mediterranean diet.

Another reason people can have high ‘bad’ blood fats is that their microbiome is compromised. Some good or commensal bacteria make short-chain esters which block the formation of ‘bad’ cholesterol the body. It’s a good idea to make sure your gut bacteria are healthy and you feed them well – they like soluble fibre like vegetables, pulses and nuts and seeds, all prominent foods in the Rainbow Diet”