Nutrition for cancer patients

Preventing starvation and lowering the energy levels of cancer cells.

WHAT IS KETOGENIC DIET?

A ketogenic diet consists of mainly fats, a moderate amount of protein and very few carbohydrates. In most cases, the body and especially cancer cells source energy from burning glucose, which is derived from carbohydrates. However, the ketogenic diet forces the body to burn fat in the form of ketone bodies instead, keeping the glucose levels and insulin levels low. The advantage is, that while most of the cancer cells are highly glucose or carbohydrate dependent, they cannot utilize fat or ketone bodies.

WHY ADOPT A KETOGENIC DIET?

There no such thing as a perfect anticancer diet. However, the ketogenic diet does allow us to deprive the cancer cells of energy without starving the healthy cells. This can then increase the cancer cells’ sensitivity to other anticancer approaches, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia. It can also slow down cancer progression, especially in brain cancer or brain metastasis as well as other solid cancers with sensitivity for IGF. In some cases, the ketone bodies are directly toxic for the cancer cells too. It has been shown that proper and healthy ketosis can also prevent or even reverse cachexia, which is a rather unique feature. Anyhow, establishing a proper state of ketosis and maintaining it in a healthy way can be tricky and it needs close monitoring and guidance. Therefore, our team of specialized dietitians and doctors is happy to support our patients in performing this nutritional approach.