Madeleine Hull
The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that has been rumoured to cure cancer. The diet was first devised in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy and has since been explored for its potential benefits in treating cancer. Studies in animals have shown that the keto diet can slow the growth of some tumours, but human studies are still inconclusive. While there is some evidence to suggest that the keto diet may be beneficial as an adjunctive cancer therapy, especially for brain cancers, it is important to note that there is no one food that can cure cancer, and more research is needed to understand the role of diet in cancer treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancer types | Pancreatic, colorectal, glioblastoma, triple-negative breast cancer, brain cancer |
| Ketogenic diet composition | 65-70% fat, 5-10% carbs, 20-25% protein |
| Ketogenic diet effect on cancer | Slows growth of tumors, induces ferroptosis, inhibits insulin/IGF and downstream intracellular signaling pathways, amplifies adenosine monophosphate, inhibits aerobic glycolysis, suppresses tumor proliferation, invasion, and migration |
| Ketogenic diet side effects | Induces cachexia, a lethal wasting disease |
| Ketogenic diet effect on chemotherapy | Reduces drug toxicity |
| Ketogenic diet effect on patients | Improved mood, weight loss |
| Limitations of ketogenic diet | Contradictory findings in human clinical trials, challenging to implement due to high discipline requirement |
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What You'll Learn
Ketogenic diets and cancer therapy
The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that was first devised in the 1920s by Dr. Russell Wilder at the Mayo Clinic as a treatment for epilepsy. The diet typically consists of 65-70% fat, 5-10% carbohydrates, and 20-25% protein.
The idea of using the keto diet as a potential treatment for cancer stems from the understanding that cancer cells have a strong preference for glucose (sugar) compared to healthy cells. Ketogenic diets mimic the fasting state, wherein the body responds to the lack of glucose by producing ketones for energy. This process, called ketosis, usually begins three to four days after eliminating carbs from the diet. By starving the body of glucose, the keto diet aims to slow the growth of cancerous tumors.
Research in mice has shown that keto diets can slow the growth of certain tumors, such as pancreatic and colorectal cancer, by starving them of the glucose they need to survive. Additionally, in mouse models of metastatic cancer, exogenous ketones have been found to have direct cytotoxic effects on tumor viability. However, it is important to note that the keto diet has also been found to speed up the development of cachexia, a lethal wasting disease that is responsible for up to 30% of cancer-related deaths. To combat this, researchers have paired the keto diet with corticosteroids, which have been shown to increase survival rates in mice.
While studies in animals show promise, human studies on the effectiveness of the keto diet in treating cancer have yielded inconclusive results. Some studies in humans with certain types of brain tumors have shown potential benefits, and there is some evidence that the keto diet may be beneficial as an adjunctive therapy to chemotherapy, reducing some drug toxicities. However, it is important to note that there is no one food or diet that can cure cancer, and more research is needed to understand the role that the keto diet may play in cancer treatment.
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The ketogenic diet and insulin levels
The ketogenic diet has been around since the 1920s when it was developed as a treatment for epilepsy. The diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, with fat accounting for 65-70% of calories and carbohydrates only 5-10%. This ratio of high fat to low carbs mimics the metabolic effects of starvation, and the body responds by producing ketones for energy.
The ketogenic diet has been shown to be effective for weight loss and glycemic control. It has also been found to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance, which is important for managing type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that a ketogenic diet can decrease insulin requirements from the pancreas and lower insulin levels. For example, one study found that just 6 days of a low-carb ketogenic diet decreased fasting serum glucose and insulin by 13% and 53%, respectively.
The diet has also been suggested as a possible treatment for cancer. The idea is that cancer cells have a strong preference for sugar compared to healthy cells and are unable to use ketones for energy, so they starve. Studies in mice have shown that keto diets can slow the growth of pancreatic and colorectal tumors by starving them of glucose. However, the diet has also been found to accelerate the development of cachexia, a lethal wasting disease that is responsible for up to 30% of cancer-related deaths.
While the ketogenic diet has shown some promising results in cancer treatment, human studies are still inconclusive. Some patients undergoing chemotherapy have opted to try the diet and have done well, but more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of the diet in cancer treatment.
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Tumour shrinkage in mice
The ketogenic diet has been shown to have anti-tumour effects in mice. In mice with pancreatic and colorectal cancer, keto diets slow the growth of tumours and even shrink them by starving them of the glucose they need to survive. This is done through a process called ferroptosis, which kills cancer cells by causing a lethal buildup of toxic fatty molecules.
In one study, mice were injected with gastric tumour cells and then randomly divided into two feeding groups: one fed a ketogenic diet and the other a standard diet. The mice in the ketogenic diet group had significantly reduced tumour growth and increased mean survival time compared to the standard diet group.
Another study found that a ketogenic diet enhanced survival and slowed tumour growth in brain tumour-bearing mice. After being implanted with tumour cells, the mice were fed a standard diet for three days and then randomised to either continue the standard diet or switch to a ketogenic diet. The mice on the ketogenic diet had slower tumour growth and enhanced survival compared to the control group.
However, it is important to note that some studies have found no significant differences in tumour volumes and overall survival between mice fed a ketogenic diet and those fed a standard diet. One study found that while a ketogenic diet slowed tumour growth in mice with lung cancer compared to a control group, there were no significant differences in tumour volumes between the groups.
While ketogenic diets have shown promise in treating cancer in mice, more research is needed to fully understand their effectiveness and potential side effects.
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Ketogenic diets and fasting
The ketogenic diet, or keto for short, is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. The standard ketogenic diet consists of 65-70% fat, 5-10% carbohydrates, and 20-25% protein. In the 1920s, Dr. Russell Wilder at the Mayo Clinic developed the keto diet as a treatment for epilepsy, and it is still used today.
The keto diet switches the body's metabolism from glucose to fats, which lowers glucose levels in the blood. Cancer cells have a strong preference for sugar compared to healthy cells and are unable to use ketones for energy, so the idea is that a ketogenic diet can starve cancer cells of the glucose they need to survive.
Studies in mice with cancer have shown that keto diets can slow the growth of tumors by a process called ferroptosis, which kills cancer cells by causing a lethal buildup of toxic fatty molecules. However, keto diets have also been shown to speed up the development of cachexia, a lethal wasting disease.
Human studies on the effects of ketogenic diets on cancer are still inconclusive. Some patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy who have opted to try the keto diet have done well with it, and no adverse effects have been observed. However, there is a lack of rigorous research on the effectiveness of ketogenic diets for treating cancer.
Intermittent fasting is the consumption of food and drink within a defined time. Combining intermittent fasting with a ketogenic diet has gained popularity, as it may help with weight loss and is thought to have beneficial effects on inflammatory conditions. However, there is a lack of rigorous research on this combined approach, and it may not be appropriate for everyone.
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Ketogenic diets and human studies
The ketogenic diet, or KD, is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and adequate-protein diet regimen that induces a state of ketosis, where the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy. This diet has been studied for its potential benefits in treating various diseases, including epilepsy, obesity, and cancer.
The use of the ketogenic diet as an adjuvant to cancer therapy has gained interest due to its potential to selectively starve cancer cells of glucose, their primary energy source. Cancer cells have dysfunctional mitochondria and are heavily dependent on glycolysis for energy production. By reducing carbohydrate intake, ketogenic diets lower serum insulin levels and enhance fat catabolism, thereby reducing blood lipids and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Studies in mice with pancreatic and colorectal cancer have shown that keto diets can slow tumor growth and induce ferroptosis, a process that kills cancer cells by causing a lethal buildup of toxic fatty molecules.
However, human studies on the effectiveness of ketogenic diets in cancer treatment are still inconclusive. While some patients undergoing chemotherapy have reported doing well with the ketogenic diet, showing improved mood and reduced glucose uptake in tumor sites, the long-term benefits and potential risks of this diet in humans remain to be fully elucidated. A 2020 meta-analysis of 38 studies with 6,499 participants found that low-carbohydrate diets led to only a small amount of weight loss compared to low-fat diets.
Additionally, ketogenic diets can be challenging to adhere to due to limited food choices and adverse effects. Micronutrient supplementation is often required, and there are potential health risks associated with long-term use. It is important to note that the ketogenic diet is contraindicated for individuals with certain medical conditions, such as pancreatitis, liver failure, and disorders of fat metabolism.
While the ketogenic diet may hold promise as a potential adjuvant therapy for cancer, more large-scale and long-term human studies are needed to establish its effectiveness and safety. As of now, it is recommended that individuals interested in trying this diet work with a registered dietitian to ensure they are meeting their nutrient needs and maintaining their health.
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Frequently asked questions
No single food can cure cancer, and there is no evidence that a ketogenic diet can cure cancer. However, some studies suggest that a ketogenic diet may slow the growth of some types of tumors in mice.
A ketogenic diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates. The diet forces the body to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose. Cancer cells are rewired to get most of their energy from glucose, so the theory is that a ketogenic diet starves the cancer cells of the glucose they need to survive.
There is no evidence that anyone has been cured of cancer from a ketogenic diet alone. However, some patients undergoing chemotherapy have opted to try a ketogenic diet, and they have done well with it. Some studies in humans with certain types of brain tumors have also shown promise.
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