At present, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of a ketogenic diet as a treatment in cancer of any type. In in vitro studies on cancer cells, the ketogenic diet slowed tumor growth, delayed the initiation of new tumors, and in some cases sensitized the cancer cells to chemotherapy. However, this was not the case for all types of cancer. In a mouse study of melanoma, the ketogenic diet actually increased the growth of the cancer cells,[1] and in some types of cancer, the diet had no impact on the cancer at all. Some case reports in humans have shown positive results when the ketogenic diet is combined with standard treatments. Before the ketogenic diet could be recommended as an adjunct to cancer treatments, studies will need to focus on each type of cancer individually, and randomized controlled trials will need to support the claims made by anecdotal evidence.[2]
It could, however, be a safe dietary pattern for people with cancer who also have obesity or overweight and are trying to lose weight.[3]
References
- ^Ascierto PA, Kirkwood JM, Grob JJ, Simeone E, Grimaldi AM, Maio M, Palmieri G, Testori A, Marincola FM, Mozzillo NThe role of BRAF V600 mutation in melanoma.J Transl Med.(2012 Jul 9)
- ^Daniela D Weber, Sepideh Aminzadeh-Gohari, Julia Tulipan, Luca Catalano, René G Feichtinger, Barbara KoflerKetogenic diet in the treatment of cancer - Where do we stand?Mol Metab.(2020 Mar)
- ^Zhao H, Jin H, Xian J, Zhang Z, Shi J, Bai XEffect of Ketogenic Diets on Body Composition and Metabolic Parameters of Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutrients.(2022-Oct-08)