Does The Ketogenic Diet Starve Cancer Cells?

Yes, several studies support the fact ketogenic diet can starve cancer cells.

No doubt, this question is the source of numerous debates and the reason behind the myriads of research on cancer treatment.

Scientists and researchers are all trying to create a better way of reducing the morbidity rate of this infection. However, the average death rate for cancer is on the high side with an average morbidity rate of 1,600 per day. Although cancer is treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, the chances of success are still on average.

So how can we reduce or inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the body?

Well, the answer lies in the all-too-popular ketogenic diet. Yes, so many studies allude to the fact that the low-carb diet might just be the solution for effective cancer treatment.

Want to know how this diet gets the job done? Then, let's explore the next section

Hold on! You must never skip conventional cancer treatment in favor of a ketogenic diet. In fact, consult your doctor before you attempt a change in diet during cancer treatment.

How Ketogenic Diet Starves Cancer Cells

Before we proceed, let's start with a brief overview of the Keto diet. This diet generally involves reducing your carb intake while increasing your high-fat diet. No doubt, this is to induce the body to get into a state of ketosis in which the body burns fat as its primary source of energy.

The ketogenic diet is able to starve cancer cells by reducing glucose levels in the body. Cancer cells via a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect are able to synthesize only glucose as their energy source. Whereas, normal dividing cells can adopt either glucose or ketone bodies as their energy source. What's more? Cancer cells have more insulin receptors than normal cells. Therefore, they are able to utilize more glucose, hence, growing at an abnormally fast rate.

No doubt, this is the reason why those with high sugar levels such as diabetics have a high chance of contracting cancer. Therefore, the ketogenic diet, which focuses on reducing overall carb intake, is used to alter the metabolic process of cancer cells.

Ketogenic Diet and Intermittent Fasting

Several studies support the fact ketogenic diet is effective when coupled with intermittent fasting. In fact, the body quickly enters a state of ketosis and produces more ketones during periods of intermittent fasting. A recent study observed the effects of a ketogenic diet coupled with intermittent fasting on a patient with brain tumors. She was placed on a ketogenic diet with water-only intermittent fasting, since it was difficult to implement standard radiation therapy on this type of brain tumor,  No tumor activity was detected in her brain after two months treatment coupled with this diet change.

Wrapping Up

It's no surprise that this low-carb diet is fast becoming popular in various quarters. It's the ability to weaken cancer cells while nourishing the body, which creates a fighting chance for those with cancer. Mind you, as noted before, this diet should never replace standard cancer treatments. More so, a high-protein diet is capable of feeding cancer cells. So, stick to the basic composition of 75 percent healthy fats, 20 percent protein, and 5 percent carbohydrate.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5842847/

https://cbd-international.net/ketogenic-dietary-plan-for-cancer-patients/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4215472/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20412570