Questions from membership
Answers from Kathryn A. Allen, MA, RD, LD/N, CSO
Director, Nutrition Therapy
H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
12902 Usf Magnolia Drive Tampa, FL 33612

***Please note that these are general answers and are not specific to your individual case.
See your own specialist with any concerns.***

Question: Can an anti-angiogenesis diet help to stop the growth of benign brain tumors?

Answer: Some foods have been shown to naturally contain substances that inhibit angiogenesis in a test tube. These foods are primarily plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and grains. Eating a wide variety of plant foods is beneficial for overall health and weight management; however, there is a lack of scientific evidence that eating a large amount of these foods can actually inhibit angiogenesis in humans.

Question: I’ve read that sugar feeds on cancer and makes it grow. Does sugar work the same way with a benign brain tumor, specifically a meningioma?

Answer: The belief that sugar feeds cancer and makes it grow is actually somewhat of a distortion of the facts. While it is true that cancer cells use glucose as fuel, so do all the other cells in our bodies. All carbohydrates in the foods we consume get converted to glucose through the digestive process and then enter the blood stream to be used as fuel by our cells. This is true for all types of carbohydrate – complex carbohydrates also known as starches and simple carbohydrates also known as sugars. Foods that are high in sugar and low in fiber and water tend to be higher in calories and may cause weight gain if eaten in large amounts. Being overweight can increase risk for some cancers but not brain cancer. This means that sugar does not “cause” cancer cells to grow, nor does it “cause” benign tumors to grow.

Question: I've read that pregnancy can accelerate the growth of meningiomas. Does that mean that all hormones can affect tumor growth? Would soy products or other food-based hormones affect the growth of these benign brain tumors? I'll be heading into menopause, and wonder if herbal treatments like black cohosh or other natural HRT supplements would cause regrowth of my brain tumor?

Answer: There are some foods that contain substances called isoflavones and lignans that get converted to an estrogen like substance through the digestive process. These are referred to as “phytoestrogens” or plant estrogens because they have a very weak estrogenic effect and are structurally somewhat similar to estrogen. These phytoestrogens are now believed to be protective against estrogen sensitive cancers and are considered to be safe if eaten in moderate amounts up to three servings per day in the form of soy foods or flaxseed. Black cohosh has been shown, in some studies to be helpful in reducing menopausal symptoms but does not contain these phytoestrogens. The mechanism of action is still poorly understood.

Question: I have read that there is an increase in younger women with benign brain tumors. Is the contraceptive pill part of this problem? I am scared of re-growth and refuse all the treatments that I fear will accelerate the growth of my tumor.

Answer:  (This is more of a medical question than a nutrition question—best to check with MD)

Question: What are your thoughts regarding the hormone issue in foods, such as soy foods and the use of growth hormones in cows?

Answer: Hormones are used in animals to increase muscle mass and increase milk production; however, these hormones do not end up in our food. Just as a lactating female produces hormones that cause her body to produce breast milk but these hormones do not end up in the breast milk consumed by the infant. 

Question: What is the final word on coffee? I have heard that it could be a benefit for alertness/concentration, and that it actually works to speed up the metabolism, etc. I have also heard that it can cause a counter-effect with anti-convulsants, making someone on these meds lack concentration and feel foggy. What is the best answer for someone looking to feel energized, but also is on anti-convulsants? I am concerned because I also have endocrine issues.

Answer: Coffee has been found to have many benefits. It has been associated with increased mental alertness and ability to concentrate; however, there have been some studies that demonstrate an inhibitory effect of caffeine on anticonvulsive therapy. This was true with some anticonvulsants and not others. In other words, caffeine intake could make some anticonvulsants less effective. If you enjoy drinking caffeinated beverages, it is important to check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether caffeine can interfere with your specific anticonvulsive therapy. Caffeine is a know central nervous system stimulant but has not shown a systemic effect of increasing metabolism. The best way to increase energy level is to increase physical activity. However; once again, it is important to check with your doctor before embarking on a regular exercise routine.

Question: Is there anything that would make me feel less foggy, while I’m on anti-convulsants?

Answer: (This is more of a medical question than a nutrition question—best to check with MD)

Question: I have endocrine issues. What are the effects of coffee on my metabolism?

Answer: As mentioned earlier, caffeine acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system but has not been shown to demonstrate an impact on overall metabolism. Regular physical activity increases metabolic rate through increased energy expenditure and also increasing the amount of metabolically active lean body mass.

Question: Can you comment on how B vitamins work together and how a deficiency of one B vitamin may actually be a deficiency in a different B vitamin (ex. B12 and folate)?

Answer: In certain types of anemia supplementation with folic acid may actually mask a deficiency of B12, making the diagnosis and cause of anemia more difficult. All B vitamins have different functions in our bodies. It is best to follow your doctor’s advice based on specific blood tests before starting to supplement with individual vitamins.

Question: Do you have any comments about what proponents of raw or biologically derived vitamins state?

Answer: Vitamins are formed in nature through a combination of chemicals. Our bodies use these chemicals the same way regardless of the source. It makes no difference whether they were derived from a raw source, biologically derived or mechanically synthesized.

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