A new study in the journal Neurology suggests that a modified ketogenic diet could one day be part of the treatment for people with brain cancer.

See the source image

Keto Combats Brain Cancer?

A new study in the journal Neurology suggests that a modified ketogenic diet could one day be part of the treatment for people with brain cancer, in particular a form known as astrocytomas.

“There are not a lot of effective treatments for these types of brain tumors, and survival rates are low, so any new advances are very welcome,” said study author Roy E. Strowd, MD, MS, MEd, of Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

DEMIGOD Sale Thin Banner

“These cancer cells rely on glucose, or sugar, to divide and grow. Since the ketogenic diet is low in sugar, the body changes what it uses for energy — instead of carbohydrates, it uses what are called ketones. Normal brain cells can survive on ketones, but the theory is that cancer cells cannot use ketones for energy.”

If you’re interested in ketogenic dieting, we suggest starting with our amazing primer the Keto Warrior, available now from Gumroad. You’ll learn everything you need to torch fat and build muscle without relying on carbs! The Keto Warrior is also part of our Ultimate Nutrition Bundle, which includes our amazing Herculean Book of Recipes and Dieting Done Right, the only dieting book you’ll ever need to buy!

The study involved 25 people with astrocytomas, all of whom had completed radiation treatment and chemotherapy. 

They followed a modified Atkins diet with intermittent fasting for a period of eight weeks. The participants ate foods such as bacon, eggs, heavy cream, butter, leafy green vegetables and fish. Participants met with a dietician at the start of the study and then every two weeks.

They followed this modified Atkins diet for five days a week. For the remaining two days, they fasted, eating up to 20% of their recommended daily calorie amount.

Even a short-term change to a ‘paleolithic’ diet can improve a number of important health markers, such as insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles.

The main goal of the study was to see if people were able to follow the diet with no serious side effects. A total of 21 people completed the study, and 48% followed the diet completely. Urine tests showed that 80% of the people reached the level where their body was primarily using fats and protein for fuel – ketosis – rather than carbohydrates.

The diet was well-tolerated. Two people had serious side effects during the study: one was unrelated to the diet and the other may have been related.

By the end of the study, changes in the metabolism in the body and the brain were seen. Hemoglobin A1c levels, insulin levels, and fat body mass all decreased. Lean body mass increased. Specialized brain scans that detect changes in brain metabolites showed an increase in concentrations of ketones and metabolic changes in the tumor.

Believe it or not: resistance exercises causes the muscles to send out instructions to the body fat cells, telling them to burn their fat stores. Click here to read all about a fascinating new study.

Test Kits Banner A

Further research is needed to see whether ketogenic diets can actually be used to treat cancer, but initial results were promising.

“Of course more studies are needed to determine whether this diet can prevent the growth of brain tumors and help people live longer, but these results show that the diet can be safe for people with brain tumors and successfully produce changes in the metabolism of the body and the brain,” Strowd said.

https://public-files.gumroad.com/variants/hg2p7c6cnxxrzhmg005fupidd5rr/3298c3eb001bbed90f1d616da66708480096a0a1b6e81bd4f8a2d6e9b831d301

We also have an exclusive new ‘remix’ of our hit programme Summer Superhero that is specifically tailored to the fat-burning effects of ketogenic dieting.

Don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected] for personalized coaching and a client questionnaire if you’d like DEDICATED tailor-made personal training on strength training, building muscle, losing fat, developing athleticism, and more — all to your liking, lifestyle, habits, and taste!

Otherwise, don’t forget to claim your FREE eBook detailing how to lose 20lb of fat while building muscle in 12 weeks! You can claim it here.

Alternatively, you can pick up a FREE eBook on fundamental strength principles offering an introductory workout program.