Keto Diet And Pancreatic Cancer: Is There A Link?

The ketogenic diet has been a topic of interest for scientists researching treatments for pancreatic cancer. Studies have shown that the keto diet can slow the growth of pancreatic tumours in mice, but it is not yet known if it has the same effect on humans. The keto diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, which causes the body to break down fat and form molecules called ketones, which can be used as an energy source. This process may help to starve cancer cells of the glucose they need to survive and may also make them more vulnerable to existing cancer drugs. However, more research is needed to determine if the keto diet is an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer in humans.

Ketogenic diets may help block the development of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and while improvements have been made in chemotherapy, survival rates remain low. Dietary manipulation is an under-researched strategy to improve cancer therapy.

Ketogenic diets are high-fat, low-carbohydrate meal plans that trick the body into burning its own fat. They have been shown to slow the growth of tumours in mice with pancreatic cancer, starving them of the glucose they need to survive.

A study by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, found that a ketogenic diet can interact with certain cancer therapies to block the development of pancreatic cancer in mice. The researchers combined a new treatment still in clinical trials with the diet, starving the cancer cells and shrinking the tumours.

The study's senior author, Davide Ruggero, PhD, said:

> "Our findings open a point of vulnerability that we can treat with a clinical inhibitor that we already know is safe in humans. We now have firm evidence of one way in which diet might be used alongside pre-existing cancer therapies to precisely eliminate a cancer."

The findings suggest that a diet-drug combination could be used to treat other cancers. However, experts say that more research on humans is needed. Melanie Murphy Richter, a registered dietitian nutritionist, said:

> "What works in mice doesn’t always translate directly to humans, and the human body is complex. Sticking to such a strict diet, especially when someone is already dealing with the rigors of cancer treatment, isn’t easy. [...] A strict diet can be difficult to maintain, especially for those already dealing with the physical and emotional burdens of cancer."

The keto diet can starve pancreatic cancer cells and shrink tumours

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and compared to other cancers, little progress has been made in improving survival rates. However, recent studies on mice have shown that a ketogenic diet, when combined with certain cancer therapies, may offer a promising new treatment approach.

Cancer cells need fuel to survive and thrive, and they typically get their energy from glucose in the blood. A ketogenic diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, causing the body to break down fat and form ketones, which can serve as the body's main energy source when glucose is scarce. By limiting glucose availability, the keto diet can help starve cancer cells.

In the case of pancreatic cancer, researchers found that a ketogenic diet, when combined with an experimental anti-cancer drug called eFT508 (or tomivosertib) was particularly effective in starving the cancer cells and shrinking tumours. This drug blocks the protein eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF4E), which is often hijacked by cancer cells and plays a key role in coordinating the body's metabolic response to fasting or a ketogenic diet.

The Benefits of Combining the Keto Diet with Cancer Therapy

The keto diet, when combined with cancer therapy, has been shown to block fat metabolism in mice with pancreatic cancer. This prevents the cancer from getting the fuel it needs to continue growing. As a result, the tumours stop growing as long as the mice remain on the ketogenic diet. This combination of diet and drug therapy provides a new approach to treating cancer by targeting the cancer cells' metabolic vulnerabilities.

Potential Drawbacks and Future Research

While the keto diet shows promise in treating pancreatic cancer, it is important to note that it may also have negative effects. In mice with pancreatic cancer, the keto diet accelerated a lethal wasting disease called cachexia, which is characterised by extreme weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, and immune suppression. Researchers are now working on combining the keto diet with other drugs, such as corticosteroids, to prevent these negative side effects and increase survival rates.

Experts agree that more research is needed, especially in humans, to fully understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of the keto diet in cancer treatment. The complexity of the human body and the challenges of sticking to a strict diet, especially during cancer treatment, must be carefully considered.

Keto diets can slow the growth of tumours by a process called ferroptosis

Keto Diets and Pancreatic Cancer

Keto diets, which are high-fat and low-carbohydrate meal plans, can be used to slow the growth of tumours and even shrink them. This is achieved by starving the cancer cells of the glucose they need to survive. However, it is important to note that this approach may also promote cachexia, a wasting disease associated with late-stage cancer.

Keto Diets and Ferroptosis

A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that a ketogenic diet combined with an experimental anti-cancer drug was effective in starving pancreatic tumours in mice. The drug, called eFT508, blocks the protein eIF4E, which is often hijacked by cancer cells. When the drug was administered while the mice were on a ketogenic diet, the cancer cells no longer had access to glucose or fat for energy, causing them to starve and the tumours to shrink.

Another study by researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory also found that keto diets slowed the growth of tumours in mice with pancreatic and colorectal cancer by inducing ferroptosis. However, they also found that the keto diet accelerated cachexia, leading to extreme weight loss, fatigue, and immune suppression in the mice. To counteract this, the researchers paired the keto diet with corticosteroids, which prevented cachexia and increased survival.

While keto diets have shown promise in slowing the growth of tumours and enhancing the effects of cancer drugs, more research is needed to fully understand their impact on cancer patients. The potential benefits of keto diets in cancer treatment must be carefully weighed against the risks of cachexia and other possible side effects.

The ketogenic diet can add stress, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and strain on the kidneys or liver

The Ketogenic Diet and Potential Health Risks

The ketogenic diet has become a popular approach to weight loss, but it is important to consider how it may impact overall health. The diet involves restricting carbohydrates and increasing healthy fats, which the body then burns for energy. While this can lead to weight loss, there are some potential drawbacks and health risks associated with the ketogenic diet.

Stress and Inflammation

The ketogenic diet has been linked to reduced stress and improved mental well-being. A study found that a ketogenic diet may be associated with better mood and mental health in the general population. However, during the initial transition to the diet, some people may experience symptoms similar to depression, such as lethargy and irritability, which usually subside within a few days to a couple of weeks.

The ketogenic diet has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for certain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The reduction in insulin levels and the synthesis of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a ketone body, are thought to contribute to these anti-inflammatory effects. BHB suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activates receptors that inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to reduced inflammation.

Nutrient Deficiencies

One of the main concerns with the ketogenic diet is the potential for nutrient deficiencies. By eliminating or significantly reducing certain food groups, individuals may not get all the essential vitamins and minerals their bodies need. Whole grains, for example, are often eliminated on a keto diet, which can lead to lower fiber intake and constipation. Additionally, a keto diet may be lower in certain vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. It is important to be aware of any existing nutrient deficiencies before starting the diet, as they may be exacerbated by the restricted food choices.

Strain on the Kidneys and Liver

There is a common misconception that a ketogenic diet can put a strain on the kidneys due to increased protein intake. However, a well-formulated ketogenic diet includes moderate protein intake, and for individuals with normal kidney function, this is generally not an issue. In fact, by improving blood sugar control in people with diabetes, a ketogenic diet may even protect the kidneys from damage.

While there is limited research on the long-term effects of a ketogenic diet on the liver, one potential concern is the increase in ketone production. The liver plays a crucial role in converting fats into ketones, and this increased workload could potentially strain the liver. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the impact of a ketogenic diet on liver health.

The keto diet can be used alongside chemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer

The Keto Diet as a Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can be used to treat pancreatic cancer. In mice, the keto diet has been shown to slow the growth of pancreatic tumours by starving the cancer cells of the glucose they need to survive. This process is known as ferroptosis, which kills cancer cells by causing a lethal buildup of toxic fatty molecules.

Keto and Chemotherapy

When used alongside chemotherapy, the keto diet can be even more effective in treating pancreatic cancer. Chemotherapy blocks fat metabolism, which is the cancer's only source of fuel for as long as the patient remains on the keto diet, and the tumours stop growing. This combination treatment has been found to triple the survival benefits of chemotherapy alone.

Clinical Trials

The potential of the keto diet in cancer treatment has been recognised by researchers, and clinical trials are now underway to test the benefits in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The keto diet may be a powerful tool in cancer treatment, but more research is needed to fully understand its effects and how it can be optimally combined with existing therapies.

Potential Side Effects

While the keto diet has shown promise in treating pancreatic cancer, it may also have unintended side effects. In mice, the keto diet has been found to accelerate cachexia, a lethal wasting disease characterised by extreme weight loss, fatigue, and immune suppression. However, researchers are working to mitigate these side effects by pairing the keto diet with corticosteroids, which have been found to prevent cachexia and increase survival in mice.

The keto diet has the potential to be a powerful tool in the treatment of pancreatic cancer when used alongside chemotherapy. By starving cancer cells of their fuel source and sensitising tumours to cytotoxic chemotherapy, the keto diet may improve patient outcomes and increase survival rates. Further clinical research is needed to optimise this treatment approach and fully understand its benefits and potential side effects.

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