The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate approach to eating. Its main premise is to encourage the body to burn ketones, which are produced from fat in the liver, instead of carbohydrates. This diet has gained popularity, with an estimated 23 million people in the US alone following it, according to the International Food Information Council.
Supporters of the ketogenic diet claim that it offers various health benefits, ranging from weight loss to reducing “brain fog.” Additionally, recent research suggests that the diet could be used as an adjuvant therapy to enhance the sensitivity of cancer patients to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, new studies from the UK, US, and Singapore have uncovered a potential downside to the diet’s cancer-fighting effects.
The idea behind using ketogenic diets to enhance cancer therapy stems from the belief that cancer cells thrive on sugar. By limiting carbohydrates through the keto diet, it is thought that tumors can be starved of their energy source, leading to improved clinical outcomes. In a recent study published in Cell Metabolism, researchers demonstrated in two different experimental models that the keto diet could indeed slow down cancer growth.
However, the study also revealed a concerning finding. The keto diet accelerated a condition called cachexia, which causes wasting syndrome and worsens prognosis. While the tumor growth was delayed in mice fed a ketogenic diet, cachexia onset accelerated and shortened their survival. Co-author Prof Venkitaraman, director of the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, stated that these results raise questions about the use of high-fat or starvation diets in cancer treatment, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the benefits and risks associated with these dietary approaches.
Fortunately, the researchers discovered a potential solution to mitigate the onset of cachexia. Administering dexamethasone, a potent glucocorticoid that improves appetite and increases glucose production, delayed cachexia onset and extended survival in tumor-bearing mice following a keto diet. This finding suggests that such drugs might suppress tumor growth without triggering the wasting syndrome.
While the study contributes to the growing body of scientific research on the positive and negative health impacts of the keto diet, it is essential to consider other studies as well. For example, research from Poland suggests that the keto diet may aid neurological diseases associated with increased oxidative stress and disrupted brain energy metabolism. Another study from Canada has found that a ketogenic drink could improve cognitive function in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
However, there are also concerns associated with the keto diet. It may not be beneficial for endurance athletes despite claims that it enhances fat utilization. Experts have raised concerns about the potential damage to liver health, particularly an increased risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Additionally, a study from Japan found that low carbohydrate intake in men (not specifically a ketogenic diet) was linked to a higher risk of all-cause and cancer-related mortality.
In conclusion, the ketogenic diet offers both benefits and risks. While it shows promise in enhancing cancer therapy, it can also accelerate cachexia, a wasting syndrome that worsens prognosis. Further research is necessary to fully understand the balance between benefits and risks associated with the diet. Other topics related to the food and beverage industry, such as industry trends, sustainability, regulations, packaging, marketing, and consumer trends, should also be considered when exploring the potential impact of dietary approaches like the ketogenic diet.
