Share on PinterestA fish oil-enriched keto diet appeared to help prevent lung cancer nodules in a mouse study. Image credit: Marcel/Getty Images.Ketogenic diets are being studied for their potential role in cancer prevention.New research in mice suggests the types of fat consumed can significantly impact the effectiveness of a diet associated with a lower risk of cancer.Experts recommend following established dietary guidelines for lowering cancer risk.
The ketogenic (keto) diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet that aims to trigger ketosis, a metabolic state where the body uses fat for energy instead of glucose.
This diet has been studied for its potential benefits in managing epilepsy, diabetes, and obesity.
Researchers are also investigating the possible advantages of carbohydrate restriction in treating other chronic conditions, like cancer, as it may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
A recent study by BC Cancer and the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute in British Columbia, Canada, which appears in Scientific Reports, has provided new evidence that may supports the anti-cancer effects of keto diets.
The study, conducted in mice, emphasizes the importance of selecting healthy fats, as the type of fats consumed in a keto diet could significantly impact cancer prevention outcomes.
Researchers evaluated the impact of seven different fat-enriched keto diets on the development of lung nodules in mice, which were induced by nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK).
They compared the effects of these diets to a standard Western diet (50% carbohydrates) and a control diet that contained 15% carbohydrates (amylose). The fats included in the study were Western-type fats (standard keto), medium-chain triglycerides, milk fat, palm oil, olive oil, corn oil, and fish oil.
The purpose was to determine how each specific fat type influenced cancer prevention efficacy when incorporated into a keto diet framework.
Mice were fed their respective diets for 2 weeks prior to NNK injections and for 5 months thereafter.
The study evaluated key health metrics, including nighttime blood glucose levels, plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase levels,…