Energy Drinks Will Fuel Your Cancer!!!
Here we go! Another medical person speaking outside of their area. This Physician’s Assistant is claiming taurine drives tumor growth & she cites a study that I PROMISE YOU SHE HAS NOT READ (PMID: 40369079). The study was NOT in humans & the study demonstrated that taurine GENERATED by tumor metabolism may provide fuel for tumor cells. This is NOT taurine from outside sources. This is taurine from the MICROENVIRONMENT of the tumor where leukemia may upregulate enzymes that increase taurine production in the tumor microenvironment (ie localized taurine production).
I am not honestly sure the clinical relevance of this as of yet. It was not in humans, it was mostly in vitro work. Additionally, what we know about tumors is they are VERY adaptable & able to recruit a variety of different fuel sources. They can use glucose, amino acids, & yes even fats and ketones in the case of some tumors (PMIDs: 29941933, 35868515, & 23082722). That’s right, it’s not just glucose & taurine. Tumors are extremely adaptable to various fuel sources & it’s one of the reasons cancer is such a difficult disease to treat.
But does she talk about any of that? Nope. She skips over it all & jumps straight to the fear mongering of “don’t drink energy drinks or it will fuel your cancer growth
Look do I think cancer patients should avoid energy drinks? I’m not sure. Maybe, but this is not strong evidence in any way shape or form.This is just another example of people wanting to get attention so they don’t read a study or offer any context or nuance & instead just put out hot-takes. I’m sick of it
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