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This story appeared on the news November 19, 2008.

It features the connection between LP’s in Ecuador who have a form of dwarfism call Laron Syndrome and 0% cancer and diabetes rate in these people.

Laron syndrome type I (LTD1) a rare genetic disorder, is caused by the body’s inability to use the growth hormone (GH) that it produces. The problem lies not in the production of growth hormone but rather in a defective GH-receptor gene. This defect prevents the proper binding of the GH molecule, leaving high levels of unbound growth hormone in the plasma.

Laron syndrome is characterized by short stature and delayed bone age, as well as high levels of circulating growth hormone.

A second form of the disorder known as Laron syndrome type II (LTD2) shows typical clinical features of the Laron syndrome but is due to a defect in the biochemical processing of growth hormone after the hormone has been bound on the cell surface.

“I start noticing that somehow in this area that we all know in Ecuador is an area with high rates of cancer, not one of these patients has ever died of cancer,” he says. “And I’m talking about a total of 135 names that I can think of. None of them has ever died of cancer. To me the possibility that that is a coincidence is almost none, because every single family in this case has at least one or two or three relatives that have died of cancer.”

To see a full 5 minute video, please click here.