Ketogenic diet & cancer
Care # 32
Tl;Dr
The ketogenic diet starves cancer cells by limiting glucose, their primary fuel source, potentially slowing tumor growth.
Ketosis can reduce inflammation, enhance recovery, and potentially work synergistically with conventional treatments like chemotherapy.
Addressing mitochondrial health and the body’s signaling systems is crucial in understanding cancer’s complexities and potential treatment strategies.
Embracing a holistic approach, including diet, sleep, and emotional well-being, may offer new hope in cancer care.
Cancer cells rely heavily on glucose for growth, while their ability to utilize ketones is limited. The ketogenic diet, by restricting carbohydrate intake and promoting ketone production, aims to starve cancer cells of their preferred energy source.
Connections to diet, shift work, light, fasting and mitochondria
Diet & Treatment: The ketogenic diet, by reducing glucose availability, can potentially hinder tumor growth and reduce inflammation and angiogenesis. Its effects on cellular energy centers (AMPK) and hormone pathways further support its role in cancer care.
Mechanisms & Benefits: Ketosis impacts multiple pathways related to cancer growth, including insulin and oxidative stress. The diet is particularly recommended for cancer prevention and as an adjunct therapy due to its safety record and potential benefits.
Sleep, Light & Mitochondria: Sleep, light exposure, and mitochondrial function play crucial roles in cancer prevention and management. Practices like regulating circadian rhythms and reducing blue light exposure can support optimal mitochondrial function. The World Health Organization classifies shift work or irregular sleep patterns as a probable carcinogen.
Growth Reduction: Fasting may help reduce cancer risk by suppressing growth-promoting factors like mTOR and IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor), enhancing autophagy to eliminate damaged cells, promoting new stem cell growth to strengthen the immune system, and lowering inflammation associated with cancer spread.
Holistic Approach: Addressing cancer requires a comprehensive approach beyond just targeting the tumor. Functional medicine integrates the interconnectedness of the body's systems, including hormones, emotions, and energy, for more effective management.
Discover other connections: Functional Medicine Functioning | The real spice, girl! | Preventing Alzheimer’s with lifestyle choices | Take 11 minutes a day to postpone death | The healthy hungry age better | Your energy source
ACCELERATE CARE 🏎️
Go Keto: Consult with your healthcare team about integrating a ketogenic diet into your cancer care plan to potentially reduce tumor growth and enhance recovery.
Think Holistic: Focus on emotional well-being, sleep, and light exposure to support overall health and potentially impact cancer progression.
Optimize Mitochondria: Include antioxidant-rich foods, exercise, and targeted supplements to support mitochondrial function and protect cells from damage.
Fast: Incorporate intermittent fasting in your daily practices. Start narrowing your feeding window to 8 hours.
Self-Care 👀
What do your small habits say about your overall health style?
Sources
Dave Asprey - Cancer’s Ketogenic Kryptonite with Patricia Daly
The Root Cause Of Autoimmune Disease & The 10 Steps To Help Reverse It | Dr. Mark Hyman
Dr Eric Berg - The MOST Important Cancer Prevention