Crossroads in Health

08/16/2025

The flu shot’s formula for 2025-2026 is the same one that the World Health Organization recommended for the northern hemisphere’s flu season, roughly October to May. Flu vaccines will be available this year and have been updated for the new season.
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08/10/2025

https://www.drstacysims.com/newsletters/articles/posts/longevity-healthspan-for-active-women

Discover how active women can improve longevity and healthspan through strength training, smart nutrition, recovery, and lifestyle habits tailored to female physiology.

08/07/2025

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Cancer does not just crave sugar and glutamine. Many tumors also develop a voracious appetite for fat.

Fatty acids, normally a healthy part of our biology, provide energy, build hormones, and support immune and brain function. But in cancer, these same fats can be hijacked. Tumor cells rewire how they use fats to build themselves faster, outmaneuver treatments, and hide from the immune system. This process, known as lipid metabolic reprogramming, is both a survival trick and a dangerous vulnerability.

Cancer cells adapt to burn fat when sugar is scarce. They also boost fat production, absorb more fat from the bloodstream, and manipulate fat-based signals to suppress immune attacks. This makes fat a fuel source, a shield, and a weapon. If we can understand this dependency, we may also be able to disrupt it.

🔵Why Some Fats Should Be Minimized in Cancer

Not all fats are created equal. A 2025 study in Nature Metabolism found that animal-derived saturated fats like butter, lard, and beef tallow helped tumors grow faster in mice.

These fats caused toxic fat byproducts, specifically long-chain acylcarnitines such as CAR18:0, to build up. These byproducts interfered with the powerhouses of immune cells (mitochondria), weakening their ability to destroy cancer.

Plant-based fats told a different story. Fats from olive oil, palm oil, and coconut oil did not cause the same immune suppression. In fact, they helped preserve the function of cytotoxic T cells—specialized immune cells that kill cancer cells—by maintaining levels of a protective protein called c-Myc.

What this means is simple: Tumors aren’t just using fats. They are using the wrong fats to help themselves and hurt us. By reducing harmful fats and emphasizing protective ones, we may be able to slow cancer and support our immune system.

Study 🔬 🔗 https://rdcu.be/ezItH

🔵Additional Nuance: Monounsaturated vs. Polyunsaturated Fats

Even among healthy fats, there are key differences. Monounsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil and avocados, are generally considered anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy. Polyunsaturated fats include both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. While some omega-6 fats can drive inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid, found in walnuts and milled flaxseed, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Omega-3 fats may also promote a specialized form of cancer cell death called ferroptosis. Ferroptosis occurs when iron within cells reacts with fats to create damaging molecules called lipid peroxides. These molecules destroy the membranes of cancer cells, leading to cell death. Encouraging this process through diet is still under investigation, but researchers are increasingly viewing omega-3 fats as a strategic part of anti-cancer nutrition.

Among the omega-3 fats, two of the most studied are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Some laboratory studies suggest DHA may be more effective than EPA in promoting oxidative stress and cell death in certain cancer types, such as colon and breast cancer. However, EPA also plays important roles by reducing inflammation and blocking new blood vessel growth that tumors need. Clinical studies typically use a combination of both, and there is no clear consensus that a high DHA-to-EPA ratio is better for all patients. Algal oil, which is a plant-based source of DHA, may be a sustainable option, particularly for those avoiding fish, but it is not proven to be superior to fish oil in cancer care outcomes.

I also recommend that my patients aim for an omega-3 index of 8 percent or higher. The omega-3 index is a blood test that measures the percentage of DHA and EPA in red blood cell membranes. Levels of 8 percent or more have been associated with reduced inflammation, better cardiovascular outcomes, and potentially improved cancer resilience. This test offers a simple, objective way to ensure patients are getting enough of these protective fats through diet or supplementation.

🔵Where Fatty Acid Metabolism Is Most Active

Certain cancers rely more heavily on fats:
📍Ovarian, prostate, breast, and liver cancers
📍Tumors with mutations in genes like KRAS, TP53, or MYC
📍Patients with obesity, insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome
📍Cancers that resist chemotherapy or have spread to other organs

These cancers are especially vulnerable to strategies that disrupt fat metabolism. But this does not mean all fats should be removed. The body still needs fat. The key is to shift the balance away from fats that cancer prefers.

🔵How to Shift the Balance

🌱 🚶Nutrition and Movement:
📍Favor omega-3 fatty acids from flax, chia, walnuts, sardines, and salmon. These help reduce inflammation and disrupt tumor membranes.
📍Limit saturated fats from red meat, butter, and full-fat dairy.
📍Avoid artificial trans fats and processed seed oils high in omega-6 fats.
📍Stay physically active to improve fat metabolism and protect muscle.

💊 Drugs and Supplements Being Studied for Support:
📍Hydroxycitric Acid: Found in Garcinia fruit. Blocks the enzyme that turns sugar into fat.
📍Berberine: A compound from goldenseal and other herbs. Lowers blood lipids and reduces tumor-supportive fat signaling.
📍Curcumin: From turmeric. Blocks enzymes that help cancer make fats.
📍Doxycycline: An antibiotic that may impair fat burning in mitochondria.
📍Fenofibrate: A cholesterol-lowering drug that alters fat metabolism through a receptor called PPAR-alpha.
📍Statins / Red Yeast Rice: Lower cholesterol and reduce cancer-promoting signals.
📍Omega-3s: Help disrupt membranes of tumor cells and reduce inflammation.
📍Artemisinin: Derived from sweet wormwood. May cause fat-based stress that triggers cancer cell death.
📍Orlistat: A weight-loss drug that blocks fat absorption and also inhibits fat-synthesizing enzymes in some tumors. 💩
📍EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate): A green tea compound shown to reduce fat synthesis and tumor-promoting inflammation.

These are not substitutes for treatment. They are potential allies, helping reshape the terrain in which cancer grows. Always review with your oncology team before adding any of these to your regimen.

🔵Who Might Benefit Most?

Cancers that depend on fats may reveal their weakness through genetic testing. This is where Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) comes in. It’s a type of testing that analyzes tumor DNA for mutations linked to metabolic dependencies.

Common fat-linked mutations include:
📍MYC: Speeds up fat burning.
📍TP53: Removes normal controls over fat production.
📍KRAS: Increases fat usage during stress, especially during chemotherapy.

If your tumor carries one of these mutations, dietary shifts and fat-targeting strategies may offer added support. Ask your oncologist whether NGS testing, offered by labs like FoundationOne, Tempus, or Guardant, is appropriate for your case.

🔵Final Thought: Starving the Fire Without Starving the Person

Cancer is smart. It adapts. But the very tricks it uses to survive—like stealing fat to fuel itself—can become its undoing.

By understanding which fats help cancer grow and which ones help the body fight back, we open a new front in cancer care. This does not replace conventional treatment. But it offers an additional layer of support, grounded in science, that may tip the balance.

Just as we would not throw gasoline on a fire, we should not feed cancer the fats it thrives on.

*Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace conventional cancer treatment or serve as medical advice. Always consult your oncology team before making any changes to your care plan.

08/05/2025

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For a long time, researchers have noticed something unusual about how cancer cells make energy. Unlike healthy cells, which mostly use oxygen to produce energy efficiently, cancer cells often rely heavily on glucose—the simplest form of sugar in the bloodstream—even when oxygen is available. This sugar-focused process is called aerobic glycolysis, also known as the Warburg effect.

While this way of making energy is less efficient, it gives cancer cells a few important advantages. It helps them grow and divide faster, survive under stress, and change their surroundings in ways that block the immune system. It also increases inflammation, which many tumors use to their benefit.

But this heavy dependence on sugar might also be a weakness.

Researchers are now asking a different question: Instead of trying to kill cancer cells directly with this knowledge, can we safely change how the body handles sugar to support treatment and make the internal environment less favorable to tumor growth?

That’s where metabolic support strategies come in. This article looks at how food, movement, body composition, and a few carefully studied compounds might play a role in that approach—not as a cure, but as a science-informed way to help the body during treatment.

Nutrition That Supports a Low-Sugar Environment:

One of the most practical ways to influence tumor metabolism is through food.

A diet with a low glycemic load helps reduce sharp spikes in blood sugar and the hormone insulin. Glycemic load reflects both the type and amount of carbohydrate in a food. When you keep it low, your blood sugar rises more slowly and less dramatically after meals.

This doesn’t mean cutting out all carbohydrates. It means choosing foods that are fiber-rich, protein-rich, and high in polyphenols and flavonoids—natural compounds that slow digestion, reduce inflammation, and improve how the body handles glucose. Good options include vegetables, legumes, berries, nuts, olive oil, fish, eggs, poultry, and herbs like turmeric and green tea.

It’s also important not to eat significantly more calories than your body needs, especially if you're not physically active. Overeating—even if the food is "healthy"—can lead to fat gain, higher insulin levels, and a metabolic state that may support tumor growth. This matters even more if you already have insulin resistance, which is common in people with metabolic syndrome or prediabetes.

The goal here is not restriction or extreme dieting. It’s smart, supportive nourishment that helps your biology work better while your body is under stress.

Why Movement Matters:

Exercise helps regulate blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, and supports mitochondrial health. It also helps preserve lean muscle, which is critical during cancer treatment. You don’t have to be an athlete to get the benefit. A mix of walking, stretching, and some light strength training can go a long way toward reducing fatigue and keeping your metabolism working more efficiently.

Fat Loss Without Extreme Dieting:

Visceral fat—the deep belly fat around your organs—is a major driver of inflammation and hormone shifts that can support cancer growth. You don’t need to lose a lot of weight to see benefits. Even small, steady reductions in body fat can help shift your internal environment in a better direction. The focus is on strength, resilience, and metabolic balance—not aggressive calorie cutting.

Compounds Being Studied to Disrupt Glucose Metabolism:

In addition to food and movement, researchers are studying a few compounds that may interfere with how cancer cells use sugar. These are not cancer treatments, and they are not approved for this purpose, but they are being tested in labs and in early-stage clinical trials.

--Metformin: A diabetes medication that lowers blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity. It’s being studied in multiple cancers, especially where metabolic risk is high.
--Berberine: A plant extract used in traditional medicine that activates the same energy-regulating pathways as metformin.
--Curcumin: The active ingredient in turmeric. It may block glucose transport and slow tumor-promoting signals, but needs to be in a bioavailable form.
--Resveratrol: Found in red grapes and berries. It may reduce inflammation and interfere with how tumors make energy.
--Doxycycline: An antibiotic that may stress cancer cell mitochondria, disrupting energy production in certain settings.
—Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: Diabetes drugs that help the body release sugar through urine. These are being studied in early cancer trials.
--Niclosamide: An old tapeworm medication that appears to interfere with stem-like cancer cells and energy production.

These compounds may be more relevant for tumors with certain mutations that make them more dependent on glucose metabolism.

How to Know if This Applies to Your Cancer:

Some cancers rely more heavily on sugar metabolism than others—especially when mutations are present in genes like KRAS, PIK3CA, MYC, or PTEN. These genes help control how cells grow and use energy. When they’re mutated, cancer cells often become more glucose-hungry.

To know if your tumor has any of these mutations, you need Next-Generation Sequencing, or NGS. This is a type of molecular testing that looks at the DNA of your tumor to identify mutations that may affect treatment or behavior. NGS can be done using a tissue sample (from a biopsy) or a liquid biopsy, which looks at cancer DNA floating in your blood.

NGS is now widely available at cancer centers and through commercial labs. Knowing your tumor’s mutation profile may help guide treatment and determine whether metabolic strategies like this are likely to be more relevant for your case.

Talk With Your Team Before Trying Anything:

Nothing in this article is meant to replace your cancer treatment. Food, exercise, and select compounds may help support your therapy, but they are not cures. Some supplements and repurposed drugs can interact with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other medications. Others may stress the liver, kidneys, or immune system if not used correctly.
Always talk to your oncology team before adding anything new. The science is promising, but still evolving. With the right support and supervision, targeting tumor metabolism may one day become a safe and personalized part of cancer care.

07/11/2025

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