Plant-Based Diet: Cancer's Natural Remedy

The link between nutrition and health has been a topic of interest for a long time. Scientific research has revealed the relationship between diet and cancer, including how food can affect the risk of developing the disease, the treatment of cancer, and living well after cancer. Research has shown that a plant-based diet may be one of the most powerful tools in cancer prevention. A plant-based diet can help improve several risk factors that promote the development of cancer, such as insulin resistance, hormone/growth factor dysregulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, carcinogen exposure, and an unhealthy gut microbiome.

High-fibre foods and cancer

A plant-based diet is recommended for cancer patients by organisations such as the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society. A plant-based diet can help cancer patients better manage treatment-related side effects and aid recovery.

High-fibre foods are an important part of a plant-based diet. Fibre is found in certain plant foods, including legumes or beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and nuts and seeds. It is important to note that there are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre attracts water and turns to gel during digestion, helping to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Insoluble fibre does not dissolve in the stomach but helps move food through the digestive system more quickly.

High-fibre foods include:

• Bran or whole-grain cereals
• Cooked dried or canned peas and beans, such as lentils or pinto, black, red, or kidney beans
• Peanut butter and other nut butters
• Soups with vegetables and beans, such as lentil and split pea
• Whole-grain cereals, such as oatmeal and shredded wheat
• Fruits and vegetables, including berries, dried fruit, green leafy vegetables, and seeds

The benefits of a high-fibre diet include:

• Lower cholesterol: Fibre helps prevent fat and cholesterol absorption, leading to lower cholesterol levels over time.
• Stabilised blood sugar levels: Fibre slows down how quickly sugar enters the bloodstream, which can be especially beneficial for diabetics or those at risk of becoming diabetic.
• Bowel management: Adding fibre to the diet can help protect the intestinal lining and improve bowel movements.
• Weight control: High-fibre foods are often low in calories and packed with nutrients, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight, which is a crucial factor in reducing cancer risk.
• Feeling full for longer: Fibre includes a form of carbohydrate that cannot be digested, so it slows down how quickly food leaves the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness that lasts longer after meals or snacks.

It is important to increase fibre intake gradually, as adding large amounts of fibre too quickly can cause discomfort or gas. It is also essential to stay hydrated, as drinking plenty of water ensures that the additional fibre does not cause stomach problems.

The role of vitamins and minerals in cancer prevention

Vitamins and minerals are essential for the body to function properly. They are involved in various processes, including immune function, DNA repair, and cell growth. A healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds can provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A and its precursor, beta-carotene, are antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and singlet oxygen. They improve the activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Vitamin A also plays a crucial role in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. It is involved in skin and bone growth through retinoic acid and regulates intracellular retinol levels through cytoplasmic binding proteins like CRBP-1. Restoring CRBP-1 levels can enhance retinol sensitivity and reduce ovarian cancer cell viability, potentially guiding personalized retinoid therapy for cancer patients.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and toxins, reducing oxidative damage and inflammatory responses. It also plays a role in collagen synthesis and the regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), impacting extracellular matrix remodeling and cancer spread. Vitamin C affects various biochemical reactions in cells and can inhibit cancer cell glycolysis and enhance cancer immunotherapy when combined with anti-PD-L1 therapy. It also has a role in genomic stability, making it relevant in cancer prevention and the treatment of hematological malignancies.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that belongs to the group of steroidal hormones. It is synthesized in the skin through exposure to sunlight and can also be obtained from food sources like fatty fish and fortified dairy products. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in preventing early neoplastic processes through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, DNA repair, and cell regulation mechanisms. It also influences the intestinal microbiota, which is linked to inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer. Vitamin D has shown promise in preventing and improving outcomes in colorectal cancer by influencing immune modulation and microbial composition in the colonic mucosa.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a group of compounds that includes tocopherols and tocotrienols. It has strong antioxidant properties due to its chromanol ring, which can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevent oxidative damage to cells and tissues. Vitamin E helps maintain the integrity of biological membranes and has been linked to a reduced risk of skin and gastrointestinal cancers. It can activate the Nrf2-Keap1 antioxidant pathway and improve nephropathy in diabetic animal models. Vitamin E also modulates oxidative stress parameters by reducing nitric oxide (NO) and increasing glutathione (GSH) expression and total antioxidant capacity.

Minerals

Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc also play a role in cancer prevention. Calcium is essential for bone health and can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by inhibiting the replication of precancerous cells. Magnesium is involved in ATP production, bone health, and the modulation of potassium-calcium channels in the heart muscle. Zinc is a co-factor for many enzymes and plays a role in cell proliferation, immune function, DNA repair, and antioxidant functions. It has been linked to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer due to its ability to reduce the incidence of polyps in the colon.

The benefits of a plant-based diet during cancer treatment

A plant-based diet is recommended for cancer patients as it has many proven health benefits. A plant-based diet is high in fibre and includes a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. This diet is promoted by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society.

Reducing cancer risk

Research has shown that a plant-based diet is better than a ketogenic diet for reducing cancer risk and improving health after cancer treatment. A review of studies by experts at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that a plant-based diet is superior to a ketogenic diet in reducing the risk of cancer. The review also found that a plant-based diet is better for healthy living after cancer treatment, as it can help reduce the risk of metabolic disorders that can occur as a result of cancer treatment, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

Improving treatment outcomes

A plant-based diet can also help make some cancer treatments more effective and reduce side effects. For example, studies have shown that a plant-based diet can help with gastrointestinal toxicity from chemotherapy and joint pain from hormonal treatments for breast cancer. Additionally, a high intake of whole grains and fibre has been linked to improved prognosis in colorectal cancer survivors, while a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and fibre has been associated with beneficial outcomes in breast cancer survivors.

Replacing nutrients

For cancer patients, it is important to ensure that any changes to their diet provide the necessary nutrients. A plant-based diet can provide the required nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. Legumes, such as beans, lentils, and peas, are a good source of protein and fibre. Soy foods, such as tofu, edamame, and soy milk, may also reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer. However, it is important to note that these conclusions are based on observational studies rather than rigorous clinical trials.

Weight management

A plant-based diet can also help with weight management, which is important as carrying extra weight or obesity increases the risk of 13 types of cancer. A plant-based diet provides a healthier alternative to the Standard American Diet, which is often high in calories, red meat, high-fat dairy products, and processed foods. By focusing on whole foods, a plant-based diet can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

Cancer prevention

In addition to the benefits during cancer treatment, a plant-based diet can also help prevent cancer. The nutrients found in plant-based foods, including vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fibre, have been shown to reduce the risk of several types of cancer. For example, eating 6 ounces of whole-grain foods each day may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer by 21%.

How a plant-based diet can help fight specific cancers

A plant-based diet is recommended for cancer prevention and can also be used to complement cancer treatment. Research shows that a plant-based diet is better than a ketogenic diet for reducing cancer risk and improving health after cancer treatment.

Colorectal cancer

Eating 6 oz of whole grain foods each day may decrease your risk of colorectal cancer by 21%. A high intake of whole grains and fibre has been linked to improved prognosis in colorectal cancer survivors.

Breast cancer

There is limited and mixed evidence that a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of breast cancer. However, studies have shown that plant-based diets can help with gastrointestinal toxicity from chemotherapy and joint pain from hormonal treatments for breast cancer.

Prostate cancer

A higher vegetable fat intake has been linked to an improved prognosis in prostate cancer survivors.

Melanoma

A high-fibre, plant-based diet has been linked to improved outcomes in melanoma patients. One patient with metastatic stage 4 melanoma reported that he had no cancer visibly present in his body after adopting a plant-based, whole-food, high-fibre diet, along with immunotherapy.

Obesity-related cancers

A plant-based diet can help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, reducing the risk of 13 cancers associated with obesity.

The advantages of a plant-based diet over a ketogenic diet

The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan. It involves reducing daily carbohydrate consumption to less than 50 grams, which is significantly less than the recommended daily intake of 200-300 grams. The keto diet is intended to induce a metabolic state called "ketosis", where the body, starved of glucose-producing carbohydrates, is forced to turn stored fat into organic compounds called "ketones" for energy.

A plant-based diet, on the other hand, is one that minimises animal products and focuses on fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, and plant-based oils. While there are different types of plant-based diets, from strict vegan to "plant-forward", the common thread is that plants comprise most or all of the diet.

Health benefits

Plant-based diets are considered far healthier than keto diets. Most nutritionists recommend a plant-based diet as the single best plan to follow for overall health, weight control, and longevity. Plant-based diets can provide adequate nutrition and may offer health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.

In contrast, the keto diet carries many risks and potential problems. Many people experience flu-like symptoms when starting the diet, and its restrictiveness makes it difficult to maintain. The keto diet also lacks nutrients like fibre, folate, and potassium, and its long-term cardiovascular health effects are unknown. The high-fat intake of the keto diet is controversial among healthcare professionals, and it has been shown to alter the gut microbiome in unfavourable ways, creating a profile of dietary patterns associated with an increased risk of digestive system cancers.

Sustainability

Keto diets are not designed to be sustainable in the long term. They are temporary, and followers often regain weight after returning to their regular eating habits. In contrast, a plant-based diet can be a sustainable way of eating that provides adequate nutrition and helps maintain a healthy weight.

Food variety

Plant-based diets offer a wider variety of food options, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. In contrast, the keto diet is very restrictive and eliminates many food groups, including grains, starches, most fruits, beans, legumes, and processed low-fat and sugar-free products.

Gut health

Plant-based diets are rich in dietary fibre, which aids in digestive health and increases feelings of fullness. In contrast, the keto diet is very low in fibre, which can lead to constipation and other gastrointestinal issues.

Environmental impact

Industrial animal agriculture is responsible for 14.5% of human-caused global greenhouse gas emissions. A plant-forward diet puts significantly less strain on the planet and is a more sustainable option for the environment.

Frequently asked questions