Episode 31: Calorie-Restricted Ketogenic Diet for Cancer with Miriam Kalamian CNS
Oct 17, 2017
auto_awesome
Miriam Kalamian discusses the use of the ketogenic diet for cancer treatment. She explains how limiting glucose supply to tumor cells through the diet can hinder their growth. The podcast also delves into the challenges of implementing this diet in mainstream practices and emphasizes the importance of monitoring blood sugar and ketones. Additionally, the chapter highlights the significance of passion and continuous learning in managing cancer through a ketogenic diet.
The ketogenic diet starves cancer cells of glucose, potentially hindering their ability to proliferate.
Carefully controlling meal composition and timing is crucial in the ketogenic diet, with a focus on reducing carbohydrate intake and promoting autophagy through intermittent fasting.
Regular monitoring of glucose and ketone levels is essential for optimizing the ketogenic diet, with a target of maintaining low glucose levels and ketone levels between 1.0 and 2.0 for cancer treatment.
Deep dives
Importance of the Ketogenic Diet in Cancer Treatment
The ketogenic diet is discussed as a therapeutic intervention in cancer treatment. Miriam Calamian, a leading voice in the keto movement, shares her personal experience with using the diet to help her son, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The diet focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake, restricting protein, and increasing fat consumption. By doing so, the body switches from relying on glucose for energy to producing and using ketones. The ketogenic diet not only starves cancer cells of glucose, but also impacts various pathways associated with cancer progression. The diet's effectiveness varies across individuals and cancer types, but its potential benefits make it worth a try. Monitoring glucose and ketone levels can help optimize the diet's effectiveness.
Meal Composition and Timing
One key aspect of the ketogenic diet is carefully controlling meal composition and timing. Carbohydrate intake should be significantly reduced, with a focus on high-quality fats and moderate protein consumption. Monitoring the balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is recommended. Additionally, meal timing plays a crucial role, with intermittent fasting and longer overnight fasting periods promoting autophagy and other health benefits. However, caution must be exercised when implementing fasting, as it may not be suitable for everyone, especially older individuals or those who are underweight or malnourished.
Monitoring Glucose and Ketone Levels
Regular monitoring of glucose and ketone levels is essential for optimizing the ketogenic diet. Initially, fasting blood glucose and urinary ketone testing can help individuals understand their baseline levels and track progress. As the body becomes better adapted to ketosis, blood ketone testing using a glucose and ketone meter is recommended. Keeping glucose levels low and ketone levels between 1.0 and 2.0 (or based on individual goals) is generally favorable for cancer treatment. However, the glucose-ketone index, which combines glucose and ketone readings, may vary depending on individual response and circumstances.
Recommended Fat Sources
The ketogenic diet emphasizes the consumption of high-quality fats. Saturated fats and unsaturated fats in a balanced ratio are recommended. Animal fats and dairy fats from clean sources are preferred. Coconut oil, which contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), can help boost ketone production. However, individuals may experience varying tolerances to MCTs, especially as they age. Personal preferences, individual response, and overall diet goals should be considered when selecting fat sources.
Cautions and Considerations
Implementing the ketogenic diet for cancer treatment requires careful consideration and monitoring. Individual responses may vary, and certain precautions should be taken, especially when fasting or using specific supplements like carnitine. Regular communication with healthcare professionals and ensuring a well-rounded diet that meets individual needs is crucial. It's important to acknowledge that the ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone or every cancer type, and the individual's overall health and specific circumstances should be taken into account.
Tumor cells have more insulin receptors than healthy cells, so they preferentially metabolize glucose. When you cut off the glucose supply to tumor cells, they struggle to make the fuel they need to proliferate. The ketogenic diet sharply limits the glucose that reaches tumor cells (while providing other anticancer benefits), and animal studies (and one small but seminal human study) have shown promise in using the ketogenic diet as an adjunctive treatment for cancer. Author of the new book, Keto for Cancer, Miriam Kalamian, EdM, MS, CNS, talks with Dr. Fitzgerald about the how ketogenic eating for cancer differs from other keto and low-carb protocols and outlines specific steps for pacing a keto protocol for the specific needs of cancer patients.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode