Long-term Ketogenic Diet Boosts Survival Rates In Advanced Cancer Patients
In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers explore the potential long-term effects of a ketogenic diet in cancer patients.
Long-term Ketogenic Diet Boosts Survival Rates In Advanced Cancer Patients
Study: Long-Term Effects of a Ketogenic Diet for Cancer. Image Credit: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock.com
Long-term Ketogenic Diet Boosts Survival Rates In Advanced Cancer Patients
The health benefits of the keto diet
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet that has been used as a dietary treatment for certain central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as refractory seizure syndrome. Previously, researchers have assessed the effects of the ketogenic diet on malignant tumors, with animal studies on mouse models revealing that this diet can improve survival outcomes.
Long-term Ketogenic Diet Boosts Survival Rates In Advanced Cancer Patients
Furthermore, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in humans with ovarian and endometrial cancer have shown that the ketogenic diet can improve their physical quality of life, as well as reduce both fat mass and blood insulin levels.However, despitee these observations, the potential association between the ketogenic diet and improved overall survival (OS) outcomes in cancer patients has remained controversial due to variations in the study design or lack of generalizability.
Long-term Ketogenic Diet Boosts Survival Rates In Advanced Cancer Patients
About the study
Osaka University Hospital conducted a case-series study to examine the impact of the ketogenic diet on patients with advanced cancer between February 2013 and December 2018. The study involved patients diagnosed with stage IV cancer through histology or cytology, with a performance status of two or less, and were able to consume food orally.
Long-term Ketogenic Diet Boosts Survival Rates In Advanced Cancer Patients
During the first week of the study, study participants followed a very strict carbohydrate restriction of less than 10 grams each day. Carbohydrate intake was limited to 20 g/day for three months starting from the second week.
Patients who wanted to continue the ketogenic diet limited their carbohydrate intake to 30 g/day or less after three months. The patients’ progress was continuously observed during and after their adherence to the ketogenic diet. Patient follow-up continued until March 2023.
The primary study outcomes were OS and tumor size three months after following a ketogenic diet using positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT)…