When it comes to discussing cancer, I’ve learned from personal experience that diet often takes a backseat in conversations with medical professionals. But why is that? Why does the idea of using diet to prevent and combat cancer seem so far-fetched?
We know that our bodies are composed of cells and that the food we consume fuels these cells. Knowing that it seems absurd to overlook the direct connection between our dietary choices and the proliferation of cancerous cells. After all, cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells, making it clear that what we eat plays a significant role in its development and progression.1
The Basics of Cancer
It’s important to understand that not all cancers are the same. With trillions of cells in the human body, there are more than 200 types of cancer.2,3,4 Although cancer is a complex disease, some common characteristics are shared among all forms. According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer is a group of related diseases where some cells in the body start dividing uncontrollably and spread to other tissues.5
What Causes Cancer?
The National Cancer Institute has stated that cancer is a genetic disease, which means that it is caused by changes to genes that control the way our cells function, especially how they grow and divide.6 I agree with this statement in part, as the underlying cause of abnormal cell replication is due to damaged DNA. However, it is important to note that damaged DNA does not always result from genetic predisposition. Many lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to this damage.7
Other Factors that Contribute to Damaged DNA:
- Bacteria8
- Basic Nutrients9
- Diesel exhaust10
- Heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic)11
- Hormones (steroids, conventional meats, therapy)12
- Pesticides (conventional produce)13
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (smoked or charred meats)14
- Radioactivity15
- Tobacco smoke16
- Viruses (SARS-CoV-2, HIV, etc.)17
Each of these factors listed (and many more) can cause nuclear or mitochondrial damage to DNA.18 Damaged DNA is not a direct cause for concern, as the body is equipped to clean house.19 However, chronically or excessively damaged DNA can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction or chronic diseases such as cancer.20
It is important to understand that we all have the potential to develop cancer, whether or not we have a predisposition for it.21 Although a cancer diagnosis can be frightening, often it can be treated and survived if caught at an early stage. However, the level of threat posed by cancer depends on its stage. When cancer spreads, it becomes more dangerous.22 While different types of cancer behave differently and respond to treatment in varying ways, they all share one common trait: for cancer to spread, it needs to be fed.
What Do Cells Eat?
Healthy cells can feast on glucose (sugar and carbs) or ketone bodies (fat stores). Cancerous cells don’t have this luxury.23 Cancerous cells can take up glutamine, amino acids, lysophospholipids, acetate, and extracellular protein for fuel, but they primarily depend on glucose.24 Studies indicate that, unlike healthy tissues, cancer cells are unable to effectively use ketone bodies for energy. Furthermore, ketones inhibit the proliferation of cancerous cells.25 This is where the ketogenic diet comes into play.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, moderate-protein, high-fat diet. Keto (as it’s commonly called) shares many attributes with primal diets such as paleo and carnivore.26
The ketogenic diet involves reprogramming the body to rely on fat (rather than glucose) for fuel. This is accomplished by eliminating sugar and drastically reducing carbohydrate intake, which effectively prompts the body into a state of ketosis.27
What is ketosis, and how does it work?
Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body relies on ketones for fuel. Ketosis is like tapping into your bodyâs superpower by switching its primary fuel source from carbohydrates to fat. Essentially, your body is in a state of ketosis when it feasts on fat for fuel. You can achieve ketosis through diet (such as the ketogenic diet), fasting, exogenous ketones, or a combination of a few.28
The basic idea behind keto is to become comfortable in this metabolic state to burn fat and lose weight. As it turns out, becoming keto-adapted is also helpful for preventing and even reversing cancer.29
Now, there is one giant caveat to this premise. When going up against cancer or any other chronic condition, relying solely on nutritional (traditional) keto might not cut it. That’s when turning to a therapeutic ketogenic diet becomes your strongest ally in your fight for health.
What is a Therapeutic Ketosis?
Both nutritional and therapeutic ketosis are metabolic states in which the bodyâs ketone production is diligently managed to provide significant cellular benefits.30
The difference between nutritional and therapeutic levels of ketosis is measured in blood levels of ketone bodies. Nutritional ketosis is between .5 and 3 mmol/L. However, in circumstances where ketone bodies â and in particular the main ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) â may serve as the acting therapeutic agent, this might not be enough ketosis to âget the job done.â31 Therefore, therapeutic levels of ketones measure between 3 and 6 mmol/L.32
What Does a Therapeutic Ketogenic Diet Look Like?
Although ketone production differs between conditional and biological responses, to reach therapeutic levels, a ketogenic diet must be higher in healthy fat, upwards of 65-90%. Additionally, protein will make up 10-30% of the total dietary intake, and fibrous carbohydrates a conservative 5%.33
Beyond an appropriate distribution of macros, therapeutic keto pays particular attention to quality. A therapeutic ketogenic diet should focus on eating nutrient-dense, whole foods, such as leafy greens, consciously-sourced proteins, and unprocessed fats. It’s really that simple. And just in case it’s not that simple, I’ve created a free guidebook breaking down the best foods and supplements for a clean ketogenic diet.
Supplementing Your Therapeutic Ketogenic Diet
Beyond the “basics” of eating for optimal nutrition, there are a number of supplements that will aid in your overall therapeutic success.
Navigating the realm of nutritional supplementation and its relationship with cancer can be overwhelming due to conflicting information. Certain supplements might potentially interact with conventional cancer treatments, underscoring the importance of consulting your healthcare provider before incorporating any nutritional regimen.34 Many cancer treatment facilities have integrative medicine departments, offering valuable insights into the suitability of herbs, teas, or supplements tailored to your individual condition. Below is a compilation of supplements I personally utilized during my journey combating melanoma, based on recommendations from Dr. Russell L. Blaylock, Dr. Nasha Winters, and Dr. Mark Hyman.35, 36, 37
Cancer-Fighting Supplements
- Sweedish Bitters (immune support, anti-inflammatory)
- Energy Bits (phytonutrients, antioxidants, amino acids)
- Cancer-Fighting Elixir (immune support, anti-inflammatory)
- Blue Majik (antioxidant-rich, cellular protection)
- Turmeric Oil (protects against oxidative stress)
- LMNT Electrolytes (helps ease keto-flu)
- Omega-3 Fish Oil (DHA) (anti-inflammatory)
- Pycnogenol (increases strength of blood vessel barrier walls, powerful antioxidant)
- Bilberry Extract (strengthens the walls of blood vessels)
- Hesperidin (helps prevent tumor invasion of blood vessels)
- Grape Seed Extract (prevents the destruction of blood vessel barriers)
- Resveratrol (antioxidant-rich)
- Quercetin (anti-inflammatory, cancer prevention)
- Medicinal Mushrooms (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative)
Now, I know this is a lengthy listâ and perhaps I went off the deep end (just a bit). But doing the work (taking the supplements, getting adequate sleep, laughing, de-stressing) was what made me feel empowered in light of a life-threatening diagnosis. And that’s exactly why I’m writing this postâ to remind youâ given the opportunity to heal, your body has superhuman powers. Give it hell!
If you need assistance putting together a nutrient-dense, therapeutic ketogenic diet I can help! Schedule a free, 30-minute keto consultation to determine whether or not we’re a good fit!
Whether you’re well-versed or brand spankin’ new to keto life and looking for some help, you should check out Katie’s coaching program. Coach Katie lives keto all day, errryday. She keeps up to date on the latest science, so you don’t have to. But more importantly, she addresses your specific goals to help you achieve ultimate success on your keto journey. And it’s always better to have someone in your corner, guiding you along. So if you’re ready for total life transformation and ultimate keto success, schedule your FREE initial keto consultation today!
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Katie Rodriguez nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
Anon
Mostly useful except when you put meat in Don’t Do List.
People are also healed by carnivore diet as well as plant base, the point is to remove all other junk foods, sugars and carbs.
Katie Rodriguez, Certified Keto Coach
Honestly, I couldn’t agree more. At that time, I was still drinking the mTOR Kool-Aid. I’m grateful for having battled cancer because that experience led me down a long investigative rabbit hole of nutritional science. Thank you for calling me on it. It also reminded me I’m long overdue to edit old, outdated blog posts.