CANCER

“A short-term fast appears to counteract increases in blood sugar caused by common cancer drugs, protecting healthy cells in mice from becoming too vulnerable to chemotherapy, according to a new study from USC researchers.”

– USC News, March 30, 2017

Nutrition and fasting-mimicking diet for Cancer Prevention

Clinical trials looking into fasting-mimicking diet, cancer prevention and treatment are ongoing. But if early results are of any indication, it could be a powerful new weapon in the arsenal to fight, and one day defeat, cancer.

Although the Longevity Diet can be generally applied for cancer prevention, it has the potential to be especially beneficial for people with certain genetic mutations—such as the BRCA genes—which put them at a greatly increased risk of cancer. Prophylactic mastectomies and other surgical procedures can reduce the incidence of genetically induced cancers, but nutrition and fasting-mimicking diet may also help. Dietary interventions additionally have the potential to reduce the chance of recurrence in previously diagnosed patients whose cancer is in remission. However, patients should not attempt to replace prophylactic mastectomies with nutritional interventions whose efficacy remains to be established.

IGF-1

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, Associated with Cancer and Aging, Is Reduced More Effectively, After Three Cycles of fasting-mimicking diet in Individuals at Risk for Cancer (>225, or with IGF-1 levels above 225 ng/mL at the beginning of the trial).

Dietary Recommendations for People at High Risk for Cancer

People affected by pathologies may not do the fasting-mimicking diet, unless they have the prior approval of their specialized doctor. In the case of serious or relatively serious illnesses (cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular, autoimmune, or neurodegenerative diseases), it is important to seek permission and approval from a disease specialist as well as from a dietitian with expertise in the fasting-mimicking diet or in therapeutic fasting. The use of the fasting-mimicking diet for disease treatment should for the moment be limited to clinical trials unless the doctor determines that there are no viable options and the patient cannot wait until the conclusion of appropriate clinical trials and FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), and similar agencies in other countries, approval.

  • FOLLOW THE LONGEVITY DIET
    Follow the Longevity Diet with protein intake reduced to the lower range of about 0.31 grams per pound of body weight per day.
  • LIMIT FISH
    Limit fish intake to one or two times a week; otherwise, stick to plant-based foods.</span
  • REDUCE SUGARS
    Reduce sugars to very low levels. Also minimize the consumption of pasta and breads. Keep blood-sugar levels as low as possible within the safe range.
  • HEALTHY WEIGHT
    Maintain a healthy weight and BMI.
  • EXERCISE
    Exercise regularly.
  • FIVE DAY FAST
    Undergo a five-day fasting-mimicking diet every one-to-three months, depending on your weight and health status (every three-to-six months if you are very healthy, with ideal weight and abdominal fat; once a month if you are overweight or obese and at high risk for cancer). In mice studies, fasting-mimicking diet was as effective as chemotherapy. Instead of damaging normal tissues and organs, it protected them.
  • VITAMINS
    Nourish yourself with essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), vitamins, and minerals from a variety of vegetables (broccoli, carrots, green peppers, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, lentils, peas, black beans, etc.) and fish (salmon, anchovies). Your immune system is one of the major defenses against cancer. The diet must be balanced to kill cancerous or precancerous cells without causing deficiencies in your immune system or hormonal changes that can make you frail.
  • VITAMIN C
    Discuss with your oncologist the option of taking 6 grams of vitamin C or Ester-C® daily for a few weeks every six months. Multiple studies have demonstrated vitamin C to possess cancer-fighting properties, although its effectiveness in preventing cancer is controversial. Taken at this level for a few weeks every six months, vitamin C is not known to have major side effects. The patient and doctor may also consider continuing high level vitamin C consumption for longer periods.
  • GOOD FATS
    Consume plenty of good fats from olive oil, nuts, and fish, but minimize saturated fats, even those that are vegetable-derived.
  • AVOID ALCOHOL
    Consume as little alcohol as possible.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

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