In other words, glycogen, in excessive quantities, seems to act as real “food” for cancer cells. And this overproduction would not be due to chance, but directly influenced by our lifestyle.
Western Diet: A Breeding Ground for Disease
To test this connection, the researchers conducted a series of experiments on mice. Some of them were fed a Western diet , rich in fast-acting sugars and saturated fats. As a result, their glycogen levels increased significantly, and tumors grew much faster than in the others.
This finding is worrying. It shows that ultra-processed foods , typical of modern eating habits, not only harm metabolism or the heart. They could also promote cancer , by creating an environment conducive to the proliferation of cancer cells.
Conversely, by reducing glycogen levels – particularly through a more balanced diet – tumor growth slowed. This discovery therefore opens a new avenue in the prevention of lung cancer .
A path to better prevention… and better treatment
Beyond its role in prevention, glycogen could also become a valuable medical tool . By monitoring its presence in lung tissue, doctors could better assess cancer progression in certain patients.
Read Pancreatic Cancer: Scientists Accuse a Culprit Everyone Uses
This potential biomarker could help refine treatments , better monitor responses to therapies, or anticipate recurrences. It would thus offer additional leverage to improve the care of people with lung cancer .
But before that, a crucial step is needed: raising public awareness . While health campaigns have long emphasized the dangers of tobacco, few messages warn of the harmful effects of diet on this type of cancer. And yet, the facts are there.
