These include lowering calories, reducing insulin levels, and increasing ketones. A large number of these animal studies have shown a ketogenic diet can reduce tumor growth and improve survival rates 11 , 12 , One study of mice with metastatic cancer tested a ketogenic diet with or without oxygen therapy.

When compared with a standard diet, the ketogenic diet resulted in a significant decrease in tumor growth The ketogenic diet also increased mean survival time by This number increased to Another study found that using a very low carb diet to restrict glucose levels prevented the growth of squamous cell carcinoma tumors in mice with lung cancer or esophageal cancer.

Study subjects received only 0. The diet was even more effective at preventing tumor growth when it was combined with the diabetes drug canagliflozin. However, combining these two methods was effective at helping to shrink tumors Some members of the same research team had previously determined that squamous cell cancers were more reliant on glucose for their energy needs than other cancers, such as adenocarcinomas In some cases, following the ketogenic diet made the anticancer drugs phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors PI3K inhibitors work more effectively.

This effect was partly attributed to the fact that the ketogenic diet reduces insulin levels Despite the promising evidence in animals, research in humans is only just emerging and largely limited to case studies. Currently, the limited research seems to show that a ketogenic diet may reduce tumor size and the progression rate of certain cancers Much of the research on cancer looks at glioblastomas , which are particularly aggressive brain tumors.

A case study marked the first time that research was published on the effects of treating a glioblastoma with a combination of standard therapy and a restricted ketogenic diet. The case study followed a year-old woman.

Following surgery, she received a very low calorie ketogenic diet. However, 10 weeks after returning to a normal diet, she experienced a significant increase in tumor growth Results from later research are also promising. Almost all of the later research has concluded that a ketogenic diet leads to reduced glucose levels.

In addition, the studies showed that a ketogenic diet is safe and may help to enhance the effects of traditional cancer treatments 18 , 19 , In another study, 3 out of 5 people with a glioma experienced complete remission after adopting a ketogenic diet combined with radiation or chemotherapy.

The other two participants, though, experienced a progression in the disease after they stopped the ketogenic diet Similar case reports from examined the reactions to a ketogenic diet in two girls who were undergoing treatment for advanced brain cancer.

One of the girls reported improved quality of life and remained on the diet for 12 months. During that time, her disease showed no further progression Following a ketogenic diet for 12 weeks significantly increased the physical function of women with ovarian or endometrial cancer.

Some participants in the study followed the high fiber, low fat American Cancer Society ACS diet instead. The women who followed the ketogenic diet were more likely to report that they could readily complete activities such as climbing stairs or moving a table 23 , The ketogenic diet may also help improve the body composition of people with various types of cancer.

In a study of 81 people, researchers observed benefits such as reduced fat mass in people with rectal or breast cancer and the preservation of skeletal muscle mass. Study participants experienced these benefits even though they were also undergoing radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of both.

These standard cancer treatments have been known to negatively affect body composition and appetite One quality-of-life study investigated the effects of a ketogenic diet in 16 people with advanced cancer.

Two people died early. Out of the 16 participants, 5 remained on the ketogenic diet for the entire 3-month study period. They reported improved emotional well-being and reduced insomnia, without any negative side effects caused by the diet. Some parameters, such as fatigue and pain, remained the same or worsened over time.

Because the study participants all had advanced disease, this outcome was expected Although the ketogenic diet showed benefits for quality of life, the relatively low compliance rate indicates that it may be hard to get people to stick with the diet.

A few small studies and case reports in humans suggest that a ketogenic diet may help slow the progression of cancer. However, a lot more research is needed. Some mechanisms suggest that a ketogenic diet may help prevent the development of cancer in the first place.

It also reduces programmed cell death. This hormone plays a role in the development and progression of cancer The ketogenic diet reduces IGF-1 levels, thereby decreasing the direct effects insulin has on cell growth This may reduce tumor growth and cancer risk over the long term Other evidence suggests that people with elevated blood sugar levels and diabetes have an increased risk of developing cancer 30 , Research shows that a ketogenic diet can be very effective at lowering blood sugar levels and managing diabetes, at least in the short term 32 , Some people may find it challenging to adhere to the diet over a long period of time, though.

More studies on the long-term safety of the diet are also needed. Obesity is also a risk factor for cancer Since a ketogenic diet is a powerful weight loss tool , it may also help reduce the risk of cancer by fighting obesity The ketogenic diet reduces IGF-1 levels, blood sugar levels, and the risk of diabetes and obesity.

These factors may lead to a reduced risk of developing cancer in the first place. For instance, the diet is very high in fat. In addition, many foods allowed on the diet, such as red meat , have been shown to increase the risk of some cancers The diet is very limiting in terms of foods known to prevent cancer , such as whole grains, fruits, and some vegetables.

It can also be challenging for those undergoing traditional cancer therapies to consume enough calories while on the diet. Low carb diets, such as ketogenic diets, often result in weight loss 16 , Compliance is poor, which makes the diet challenging for people with cancer. The restrictive nature of the diet can sometimes be too much for a person with cancer, especially when food can be a source of comfort 16 , A ketogenic diet provides many benefits for health.

According to animal studies and some preliminary research in humans, it may also help treat or prevent cancer. You should never, ever avoid conventional cancer treatment in favor of an alternative treatment like the ketogenic diet.

Your best bet is still to follow the advice of your oncologist. Mainstream medical treatments are very effective at treating many common types of cancer. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

However, to further elucidate the mechanisms of the ketogenic diet as a therapy and evaluate its application in clinical practice, more molecular studies as well as uniformly controlled clinical trials are needed.

Keywords: Adjuvant cancer therapy; Ketogenic diet; Tumor metabolism; Tumorigenesis. Copyright © The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.

Abstract Background: Cancer is one of the greatest public health challenges worldwide, and we still lack complementary approaches to significantly enhance the efficacy of standard anticancer therapies.

Publication types Research Support, Non-U.

The majority of preclinical and several clinical studies argue for the use of the ketogenic diet in combination with standard therapies based on its potential to enhance the antitumor effects of classic chemo- and radiotherapy, its overall good safety and tolerability and increase in quality of life.

However, to further elucidate the mechanisms of the ketogenic diet as a therapy and evaluate its application in clinical practice, more molecular studies as well as uniformly controlled clinical trials are needed. Keywords: Adjuvant cancer therapy; Ketogenic diet; Tumor metabolism; Tumorigenesis. Copyright © The Authors.

Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved. Abstract Background: Cancer is one of the greatest public health challenges worldwide, and we still lack complementary approaches to significantly enhance the efficacy of standard anticancer therapies.

Because the study participants all had advanced disease, this outcome was expected Although the ketogenic diet showed benefits for quality of life, the relatively low compliance rate indicates that it may be hard to get people to stick with the diet.

A few small studies and case reports in humans suggest that a ketogenic diet may help slow the progression of cancer. However, a lot more research is needed. Some mechanisms suggest that a ketogenic diet may help prevent the development of cancer in the first place.

It also reduces programmed cell death. This hormone plays a role in the development and progression of cancer The ketogenic diet reduces IGF-1 levels, thereby decreasing the direct effects insulin has on cell growth This may reduce tumor growth and cancer risk over the long term Other evidence suggests that people with elevated blood sugar levels and diabetes have an increased risk of developing cancer 30 , Research shows that a ketogenic diet can be very effective at lowering blood sugar levels and managing diabetes, at least in the short term 32 , Some people may find it challenging to adhere to the diet over a long period of time, though.

More studies on the long-term safety of the diet are also needed. Obesity is also a risk factor for cancer Since a ketogenic diet is a powerful weight loss tool , it may also help reduce the risk of cancer by fighting obesity The ketogenic diet reduces IGF-1 levels, blood sugar levels, and the risk of diabetes and obesity.

These factors may lead to a reduced risk of developing cancer in the first place. For instance, the diet is very high in fat. In addition, many foods allowed on the diet, such as red meat , have been shown to increase the risk of some cancers The diet is very limiting in terms of foods known to prevent cancer , such as whole grains, fruits, and some vegetables.

It can also be challenging for those undergoing traditional cancer therapies to consume enough calories while on the diet.

Low carb diets, such as ketogenic diets, often result in weight loss 16 , Compliance is poor, which makes the diet challenging for people with cancer. The restrictive nature of the diet can sometimes be too much for a person with cancer, especially when food can be a source of comfort 16 , A ketogenic diet provides many benefits for health.

According to animal studies and some preliminary research in humans, it may also help treat or prevent cancer. You should never, ever avoid conventional cancer treatment in favor of an alternative treatment like the ketogenic diet.

Your best bet is still to follow the advice of your oncologist. Mainstream medical treatments are very effective at treating many common types of cancer.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers. Growing evidence points to certain dietary habits increasing or decreasing cancer risk.

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A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based Can a Ketogenic Diet Help Fight Cancer? Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.

Share on Pinterest Photography by Aya Brackett. A brief overview of the ketogenic diet. The role of blood sugar in cancer. Other benefits of a ketogenic diet to treat cancer. The effects of a ketogenic diet on cancer in animals. The ketogenic diet and cancer in humans. The ketogenic diet and cancer prevention.

Possible disadvantages for people with cancer. The bottom line. Food Fix: Keto Basics. How we reviewed this article: History.

Jan 15, Written By Rudy Mawer. Medically Reviewed By Katherine Marengo, LDN, RD. Share this article. Evidence Based This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. related stories Dietary Habits That Can Impact Your Cancer Risk.

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