Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and Cancer

Abstract

It is found that there is inadequate and unbalanced diet in the basis of most chronical diseases that have increased in recent years. Modern diet beside its facilities causes to increase consumption of prepared and processed foods. Processed carbohydrate sources are rich of GI (Glycemic index) and GL (Glycemic load). Given the fact that high GI and GL diets increase the incidence of chronical diseases such as diabetes, hence the number of studies investigating their relationship with cancer has also increased consequently. As the diets of high GI and GL triggers insulin secretion it increases the level of IGF-1 and it is considered to be a risk for some types of cancer. Although there are lots of studies searching for the results are not clear. The studies that investigate the effect of GI and GL values of cancer patients’ diets on prognosis are quite limited. It should not be forgotten that high GI and GL diets trigger the risk of obesity, diabetes and cancer by increasing weight gain, so the consumption of the foods with high GI and GL should be reduced.