A Nutritional Perspective of Ketogenic Diet in Cancer: A Narrative Review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential of a ketogenic diet (KD) as a metabolic therapy for cancer treatment by targeting the Warburg effect and assessing its impact on nutritional status and prognosis.
Results Summary
The study found that KD shows potentially promising but inconsistent results in cancer treatment, with limited high-quality evidence due to variations in study design and characteristics. The positive influences justify further well-designed clinical trials to better understand its mechanisms and effects.
Population
Humans with diverse cancer types and stages.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ketogenic diet (KD) | no change | cancer treatment | humans with diverse cancer types and stages | - | shows potentially promising, but inconsistent, results | #1 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | increase | cancer treatment | - | - | may have on cancer treatment | #2 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | neutral | nutritional status | - | - | affects | #3 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | neutral | cancer prognosis | - | - | affects | #4 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | neutral | overall health | - | - | affects | #5 |
The predominant use of glucose anaerobically by cancer cells (Warburg effect) may be the most important characteristic the majority of these cells have in common and, therefore, a potential metabolic pathway to be targeted during cancer treatment. Because this effect relates to fuel oxidation, dietary manipulation has been hypothesized as an important strategy during cancer treatment. As such, the concept of a ketogenic diet (KD) in cancer emerged as a metabolic therapy (ie, targeting cancer cell metabolism) rather than a dietary approach. The therapeutic mechanisms of action of this high-fat, moderate-to-low protein, and very-low-carbohydrate diet may potentially influence cancer treatment and prognosis. Considering the lack of a dietetics-focused narrative review on this topic, we compiled the evidence related to the use of this diet in humans with diverse cancer types and stages, also focusing on the nutrition and health perspective. The use of KD in cancer shows potentially promising, but inconsistent, results. The limited number of studies and differences in study design and characteristics contribute to overall poor quality evidence, limiting the ability to draw evidence-based conclusions. However, the potential positive influences a KD may have on cancer treatment justify the need for well-designed clinical trials to better elucidate the mechanisms by which this dietary approach affects nutritional status, cancer prognosis, and overall health. The role of registered dietitian nutritionists is demonstrated to be crucial in planning and implementing KD protocols in oncology research settings, while also ensuring patients' adherence and optimal nutritional status.