Ketogenic Diet for Cancer

The ketogenic diet has been studied as an additional treatment against cancer that, together with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can help reduce the progression of the tumor. It was spread in Brazil by the physician and neurologist Lair Ribeiro, but there are still few data and studies confirming the effectiveness of this diet against cancer.

The ketogenic diet is based on a diet with severe restriction of carbohydrates, which are present in foods such as rice, beans, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, it is rich in fats such as olive oil, nuts, and butter, with a medium content of proteins such as meat and eggs.

Why the Diet Can Help Fight Cancer

When doing a ketogenic diet, the level of glucose, which is the sugar in the blood, is greatly reduced, and this is the only fuel that cancer cells can process to grow and multiply. Thus, it is as if the diet makes the cells run out of food and thereby helps to control the progression of the disease.

In addition, low carbohydrates can also lead to lower circulating levels of the hormone’s insulin and IGF-1, and can cause cancer cells to have fewer signals to grow and divide.

On the other hand, the body's healthy cells are able to use fatty acids and ketone bodies as energy sources, nutrients that come from fat from food and the body's fat stores.

Cauliflower Soup with Chicken Recipe

This soup can be used for both lunch and dinner, being easily digestible and can be used during periods when the side effects of treatment, such as nausea and vomiting, are at their strongest.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup coarsely chopped cooked chicken breast
• 1 Cup heavy cream (optional)
• 4 Tbsp diced onion
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Clove garlic, minced or crushed
• 3 Cups cauliflower
• 2 Tbsp leeks
• Salt and pink pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Sauté the onion, olive oil and garlic, then add the cauliflower and leeks. 
2. Add water until it covers all the content and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes. 
3. Transfer the contents and process in a blender. 
4. Add 200 ml water or heavy cream and the chicken. 
5. Season to taste. 
6. You can add grated cheese and oregano.

 

Cheese Biscuits

Cheese cookies can be used in snacks, for example:

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds mixed in a blender
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Beat all the ingredients in a blender until it becomes a smooth mixture. 
2. Spread the mixture into a thin layer in a buttered medium baking pan and bake in a 200°C oven for about half an hour or until golden brown. 
3. Chill and cut into pieces.

Stuffed Omelet

The omelet is easy to eat and can be used for breakfast and snacks and can be stuffed with cheeses, meats, chicken and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 60 g grated cheese (coalho or minas)
• 1/2 tomato, chopped
• salt and oregano to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation:

1. Beat the egg with a fork, season with salt and oregano.
2. Grease the frying pan with olive oil, pour the beaten eggs and add the cheese and the tomato. 
3. Cover the pan and leave it for a few minutes before turning it over to bake the dough on both sides.

Cautions and Contraindications

The ketogenic diet should only be done in cancer patients after a doctor's consent and with a nutritionist's monitoring, and it is necessary to observe the appearance of side effects such as dizziness and weakness, especially in the first days.

It is also important to remember that the studies related to the ketogenic diet and cancer are not conclusive and that this diet is not suitable in all cases of cancer. In addition, it is not a substitute for conventional drug treatments, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy.