Previous studies have shown that people who have difficulty
processing blood sugar are at risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Now new research suggests they may also be at increased risk of
dying from cancer.

A “pre-diabetic” is someone with impaired glucose tolerance. An
estimated 15% – 25% of the adult population has impaired glucose
tolerance, also known as insulin resistance or “Syndrome X”.

Impaired glucose tolerance is marked by elevated blood sugar
levels as a result of resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps
convert sugar from food into energy for the body’s cells. Because
glucose impairment (insulin resistance) often precedes type 2
diabetes, it is also called “pre-diabetes”.

In a study of 3,000 adults, the researchers found that people
with impaired glucose tolerance were nearly twice as likely to
die from any type of cancer than were those with normal blood
sugar levels. Their risk of dying from colon cancer,
specifically, was more than quadruple that of those without
impaired glucose tolerance.

Unless you get tested, you may be pre-diabetic and not know it. A
glycosolated hemoglobin test or glucose tolerance test will give
you a good indication of whether your have an insulin problem.
You can’t rely on the serum glucose measurement in a common blood
test, because serum glucose fluctuates so much. However, if you
did not eat any food for at least 5 hours before your blood test,
and your serum glucose was high, you may need further testing.

Exercise, weight loss, and healthy diet are critical for
controlling a pre-diabetic condition. There are a variety of
supplements that also help to control blood sugar and insulin
resistance.

The Connecrticut Center for Health specializes in treating people
with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. Our physicians have
many years of experience in successfully dealing with this
disorder.

Source: American Journal of Epidemiology, 2003;
157:1092-1100