Table of Contents
- Understanding Insulin and Cancer
- My Journey with Insulin Management
- Implementing Insulin Management Strategies
- Daily Routine for Insulin Management
- What My Typical Day Looked Like
- Benefits of Insulin Management During Cancer Treatment
- Improved Energy Levels and Reduced Cancer-Related Fatigue
- Stabilized Blood Sugar Levels and Overall Better Metabolic Health
- Potential Reduction in Tumor Growth and Better Response to Treatment
- Overcoming Challenges with Insulin Management
- How Did I Overcome These Challenges?
- Using Technology to Support Insulin Management
- Using a Ketone Meter to Track Ketone Levels and Ensure Low Insulin Levels
- Using the Oura Ring to Monitor Sleep, Recovery, and Overall Health
- Regular Blood Glucose Monitoring to Keep Track of Insulin Response
- Key Takeaways from My Insulin Management Experience
- What Important Lessons Did I Learn?
- Advice for Others Considering Insulin Management During Cancer Treatment
- Consult with Healthcare Professionals Before Making Significant Dietary Changes
- Start by Reducing Sugar and Refined Carb Intake
- Monitor Blood Glucose and Ketone Levels Regularly to Track Progress
- How Insulin Management Can Support Cancer Treatment
- References
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Managing insulin levels is crucial in cancer treatment because elevated insulin levels can fuel cancer cells and increase the risk of cancer progression. After being diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer, multiple tumor recurrences led to extensive research on insulin resistance and cancer. Studies show that insulin and cancer are closely linked, with high insulin secretion and insulin like growth factor promoting tumor cell proliferation.
Conditions like diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and obesity-associated cancers increase the risk of cancer, including breast cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer. Understanding glucose metabolism, glucose uptake, and insulin receptor signaling helped shape my approach to reducing cancer incidence and improving my cancer treatment strategy.
Understanding Insulin and Cancer
Insulin is a hormone that regulates glucose metabolism, helping the body convert sugar into energy. It plays a key role in glucose homeostasis by allowing skeletal muscle, liver cells, and fat cells to absorb glucose uptake from the bloodstream. Insulin secretion is essential for maintaining stable blood sugar levels, but elevated insulin levels can lead to insulin resistance, common in diabetic patients and those with metabolic dysfunction. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic disease, and diabetes mellitus often result in impaired insulin sensitivity, increasing the need for glucose lowering therapies such as long-acting insulin analogs and other diabetes treatments.
High circulating insulin levels are linked to increased cancer risk because insulin receptors on tumor cells stimulate cell proliferation. Studies show that insulin receptor isoform A, commonly found in cancer cells, drives tumor glucose uptake, promoting tumor cell proliferation. Insulin signaling also affects sex hormone binding globulin, leading to hormone imbalances that may increase breast cancer incidence and colorectal cancer risk. Insulin resistance and cancer go hand in hand, as excess insulin creates an environment that supports cancer development and fuels aggressive cancer progression in breast cancers, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancers, and liver cancer.
My Journey with Insulin Management
During my cancer treatment, I followed medical advice to maintain body weight by eating calorie-dense foods. Over time, cancer incidence continued despite multiple surgeries and chemotherapy. Research into insulin and cancer revealed that high plasma insulin and exogenous insulin use in diabetic patients were linked to increased cancer risk. Studies showed that insulin analogues and human insulin could activate insulin receptors on tumor cells, increasing cancer mortality.
Cancer a systematic review found that conditions like insulin dependent diabetes and diabetes treated with certain medications were associated with higher rates of breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. Learning that insulin signaling could influence fetal and cancer cells, I knew I had to control glucose metabolism to help reduce my risk factors and improve my cancer treatment outcomes.
Implementing Insulin Management Strategies
Reducing elevated insulin levels became a priority in my cancer treatment strategy. Lowering glucose uptake in tumor cells required major lifestyle changes, especially in diet.
Steps I Took to Control Insulin Levels
- Eliminated sugary foods and refined carbs to lower glucose metabolism in cancer cells.
- Adopted a low-carb diet to avoid insulin spikes and reduce tumor glucose uptake.
- Practiced intermittent fasting and extended fasting to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin secretion.
- Incorporated high-quality fats and proteins to stabilize blood sugar and support cellular and molecular physiology.
- Monitored insulin levels using a ketone meter to track my body's response to dietary changes.
- Engaged in regular Zone 2 endurance training to enhance skeletal muscle insulin efficiency and control glucose uptake.
Switching to a very low-carb diet and fasting dramatically improved my insulin resistance and overall metabolic function. Cutting out foods that caused glucose metabolism dysregulation, such as processed carbs, sugars, and starches, helped me avoid promoting cell proliferation in tumor cells. Managing insulin receptors and keeping intracellular insulin levels low became a crucial part of my plan to reduce cancer development and improve long-term survival.
Daily Routine for Insulin Management
Maintaining stable insulin levels required a structured daily routine focused on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and nutrient timing. Following a low-carb diet, incorporating healthy fats, and using fasting strategies helped regulate plasma insulin and avoid tumor glucose uptake. Each part of my day was carefully planned to balance insulin secretion, support cell survival, and improve overall metabolic health.
What My Typical Day Looked Like
Time | Routine |
10:00 AM | Morning supplements and making 1000cc of green tea to support glucose homeostasis. |
10:30 AM | Half cup of kefir for gut health and insulin sensitivity. |
10:50 AM | Black coffee with 10cc MCT C8 oil and organic grass-fed butter to maintain ketosis and avoid insulin spikes. |
12:00 PM (Lunch) | 30cc olive oil with supplements and a low-carb meal, including sauerkraut, to support metabolic function. |
4:00 PM (Afternoon Exercise) | Zone 2 endurance training to enhance insulin receptor function and improve skeletal muscle insulin efficiency. |
7:00 PM (Dinner) | 30cc olive oil with supplements and another low-carb meal to prevent post-meal glucose uptake. |
11:00 PM | Evening supplements to support cellular and molecular physiology and overall metabolic function. |
Benefits of Insulin Management During Cancer Treatment
Regulating insulin secretion and maintaining insulin sensitivity had a significant impact on my cancer treatment and overall well-being. Managing circulating insulin levels improved my energy and recovery and helped optimize tumor cell metabolism.
Improved Energy Levels and Reduced Cancer-Related Fatigue
Switching to a low-carb diet stabilized my glucose metabolism, preventing blood sugar crashes that caused extreme fatigue. Zone 2 exercise improved insulin receptor function, allowing my body to use fat as fuel instead of relying on glucose uptake. In the morning, black coffee with MCT oil also helped maintain mental clarity and energy throughout the day.
Stabilized Blood Sugar Levels and Overall Better Metabolic Health
Removing processed carbohydrates and consuming healthy fats eliminated insulin resistance, reducing my risk of cancer recurrence. Monitoring fasting insulin and using intermittent fasting improved my body's ability to regulate plasma insulin, which is often disrupted in diabetic patients and those with metabolic dysfunction.
Potential Reduction in Tumor Growth and Better Response to Treatment
Lower insulin receptor activation meant less tumor glucose uptake, potentially slowing tumor cell proliferation. Extended fasting cycles before treatment improved my response to chemotherapy by protecting healthy cells while making cancer cells more vulnerable. Scientific studies linking insulin resistance and cancer reinforced my belief that controlling insulin levels could play a role in reducing cancer progression.
Overcoming Challenges with Insulin Management
Adjusting to a strict low-carb diet was difficult, especially after years of eating a high-carbohydrate diet. Cravings for sugary foods and adjusting to low insulin levels caused temporary fatigue and mood changes. Avoiding processed carbohydrates while ensuring adequate nutrient intake was another challenge.
Diabetes treatments often focus on glucose lowering therapies, but maintaining balanced nutrition without spiking plasma insulin requires careful planning.
How Did I Overcome These Challenges?
Finding satisfying low-carb alternatives helped me stay committed to the diet. Replacing refined carbs with nutrient-dense foods like omega-3-rich fish, fermented vegetables, and high-quality fats allowed me to feel full while keeping insulin secretion low. Working with healthcare professionals ensured that I met my nutritional needs while controlling glucose metabolism.
Tracking insulin sensitivity and making adjustments based on metabolic responses helped me stay on track. Insulin management became a key part of my cancer treatment, supporting both tumor control and overall health.
Using Technology to Support Insulin Management
Tracking insulin levels and glucose metabolism was essential in managing my cancer treatment. Using wearable devices and blood glucose monitors helped me make real-time adjustments to my diet, fasting, and exercise routine. Monitoring insulin resistance and glucose uptake gave me better control over my metabolic function and overall health.
Using a Ketone Meter to Track Ketone Levels and Ensure Low Insulin Levels
A ketone meter helped measure my ketone levels, showing if my body was burning fat instead of relying on glucose metabolism. Higher ketone levels indicated lower circulating insulin levels, which reduced tumor glucose uptake and improved insulin sensitivity.
Using the Oura Ring to Monitor Sleep, Recovery, and Overall Health
The Oura Ring tracked my heart rate variability (HRV), sleep patterns, and recovery status. Poor sleep or high stress can increase insulin secretion and impact glucose homeostasis, so I used the data to adjust my routine.
Regular Blood Glucose Monitoring to Keep Track of Insulin Response
Monitoring blood glucose levels helped me understand how different foods and fasting affected plasma insulin. Keeping fasting blood sugar low ensured that my insulin receptors were functioning correctly and that my body wasn’t promoting tumor cell proliferation.
Key Takeaways from My Insulin Management Experience
Controlling insulin levels played a critical role in my cancer treatment and overall metabolic health. Making intentional dietary changes and using technology to track progress helped improve my energy, recovery, and treatment response.
What Important Lessons Did I Learn?
- Managing insulin resistance is essential—high insulin secretion can increase cancer risk and fuel tumor cells.
- Consistency is key—long-term control over insulin levels requires discipline in diet, fasting, and exercise.
- A low-carb diet reduces insulin spikes—cutting out refined carbs and sugars lowered plasma insulin and improved my glucose metabolism.
- Combining insulin management with fasting helped—extended fasting before surgery coincided with reduced visible tumor cells.
- Tracking insulin sensitivity gave valuable insights—monitoring glucose uptake, ketone levels, and HRV helped refine my strategy.
Advice for Others Considering Insulin Management During Cancer Treatment
Making changes to insulin regulation can help improve cancer treatment outcomes, but it’s crucial to approach it carefully. Managing insulin resistance and cancer requires a combination of diet, exercise, and consistent monitoring.
Consult with Healthcare Professionals Before Making Significant Dietary Changes
Lowering insulin levels through fasting or diet should be done under medical supervision, especially for diabetic patients or those on glucose-lowering therapies.
Start by Reducing Sugar and Refined Carb Intake
Cutting out processed sugars and starchy foods helps stabilize glucose metabolism and prevent insulin receptor activation in tumor cells.
Monitor Blood Glucose and Ketone Levels Regularly to Track Progress
Using a ketone meter and blood glucose monitor provides real-time insights into how the body is responding to insulin management strategies. Keeping glucose uptake low while maintaining proper nutrition supports long-term cancer treatment success.
How Insulin Management Can Support Cancer Treatment
Controlling insulin levels was crucial in my cancer treatment, helping reduce tumor glucose uptake, stabilize glucose metabolism, and improve insulin sensitivity. Research shows that insulin resistance and cancer are closely linked, with elevated insulin levels increasing the risk of cancer progression in breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer.
A low-carb diet, fasting, and regular health tracking helped regulate my insulin receptors, potentially reducing tumor cell proliferation and improving my body’s response to treatment. Managing insulin secretion is not just about diabetes treatments—it may also be a key factor in reducing cancer mortality and supporting overall metabolic health.
References
- de Cabo, R., & Mattson, M. P. (2019). Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease. The New England journal of medicine, 381(26), 2541–2551. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1905136
- Frasca, F., Pandini, G., Scalia, P., Sciacca, L., Mineo, R., Costantino, A., Goldfine, I. D., Belfiore, A., & Vigneri, R. (1999). Insulin receptor isoform A, a newly recognized, high-affinity insulin-like growth factor II receptor in fetal and cancer cells. Molecular and cellular biology, 19(5), 3278–3288. https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.19.5.3278
- Karlstad, O., Starup-Linde, J., Vestergaard, P., Hjellvik, V., Bazelier, M. T., Schmidt, M. K., Andersen, M., Auvinen, A., Haukka, J., Furu, K., de Vries, F., & De Bruin, M. L. (2013). Use of insulin and insulin analogs and risk of cancer - systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Current drug safety, 8(5), 333–348. https://doi.org/10.2174/15680266113136660067
- Nencioni, A., Caffa, I., Cortellino, S., & Longo, V. D. (2018). Fasting and cancer: molecular mechanisms and clinical application. Nature reviews. Cancer, 18(11), 707–719. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41568-018-0061-0
- Poff, A. M., Ari, C., Seyfried, T. N., & D'Agostino, D. P. (2013). The ketogenic diet and hyperbaric oxygen therapy prolong survival in mice with systemic metastatic cancer. PloS one, 8(6), e65522. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0065522
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