Understanding the Favorable Environment for Cancer Growth
Barbara O’Neill emphasizes that cancer thrives in specific conditions, including high glucose levels, low oxygen, and acidity:
High blood sugar levels: A study in Cell Metabolism (2020) found that cancer cells absorb glucose 15 times faster than normal cells to fuel their growth (Pavlova & Thompson, 2020). This explains why a low-sugar diet may help reduce cancer risk.
Lack of oxygen: The “Warburg Effect,” described by Dr. Otto Warburg (1931), demonstrates that cancer cells primarily rely on glucose fermentation instead of aerobic respiration. A 2019 report in Science Translational Medicine also highlighted that a low-oxygen environment promotes cancer invasion (Semenza, 2019).
Acidic environment: Lactic acid buildup from glucose fermentation creates a favorable environment for tumors. A 2021 study in Cancer Research found that tumor acidity suppresses the immune system (Fischer et al., 2021).
