Is there a role for carbohydrate restriction in the treatment and prevention of cancer?

Rainer J Klement and Ulrike Kammerer

Nutrition & Metabolism 2011, 8:75 doi:10.1186/1743-7075-8-75

Published: 26 October 2011

Abstract

Over the last years, evidence has accumulated suggesting that by systematically reducing the amount of dietary carbohydrates (CHOs) one could suppress, or at least delay, the emergence of cancer, and that proliferation of already existing tumor cells could be slowed down. This hypothesis is supported by the association between modern chronic diseases like the metabolic syndrome and the risk of developing or dying from cancer. CHOs or glucose, to which more complex carbohydrates are ultimately digested, can have direct and indirect effects on tumor cell proliferation: first, contrary to normal cells, most malignant cells depend on steady glucose availability in the blood for their energy and biomass generating demands and are not able to metabolize significant amounts of fatty acids or ketone bodies due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Second, high insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels resulting from chronic ingestion of CHO-rich Western diet meals can directly promote tumor cell proliferation via the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway. Third, ketone bodies that are elevated when insulin and blood glucose levels are low, have been found to negatively affect proliferation of different malignant cells in vitro or not to be usable by tumor cells for metabolic demands, and a multitude of mouse models have shown anti-tumorigenic properties of very low-CHO ketogenic diets. In addition, many cancer patients exhibit an altered glucose metabolim characterized by insulin resistance and may profit from an increased protein and fat intake. In this review, we address the possible beneficial effects of low CHO diets on cancer prevention and treatment. Emphasis will be placed on the role of insulin and IGF-1 signaling in tumorigenesis as well as altered dietary needs of cancer patients.

Conclusions

We summarize our main findings from the literature regarding the role of dietary CHO

restriction in cancer development and outcome.

(i) Most, if not all, tumor cells have a high demand on glucose compared to benign

cells of the same tissue and conduct glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen (the

Warburg effect). In addition, many cancer cells express insulin receptors (IRs) and

show hyperactivation of the IGF1R-IR pathway. Evidence exists that chronically

elevated blood glucose, insulin and IGF1 levels facilitate tumorigenesis and

worsen the outcome in cancer patients.

(ii) The involvement of the glucose-insulin axis may also explain the association of

the metabolic syndrome with an increased risk for several cancers. CHO restriction

has already been shown to exert favorable effects in patients with the metabolicsyndrome. Epidemiological and anthropological studies indicate that restricting

dietary CHOs could be beneficial in decreasing cancer risk.

(iii) Many cancer patients, in particular those with advanced stages of the disease,

exhibit altered whole-body metabolism marked by increased plasma levels of

inflammatory molecules, impaired glycogen synthesis, increased proteolysis and

increased fat utilization in muscle tissue, increased lipolysis in adipose tissue and

increased gluconeogenesis by the liver. High fat, low CHO diets aim at accounting

for these metabolic alterations. Studies conducted so far have shown that such

diets are safe and likely beneficial, in particular for advanced stage cancer patients.

(iv) CHO restriction mimics the metabolic state of calorie restriction or – in the case of

KDs – fasting. The beneficial effects of calorie restriction and fasting on cancer

risk and progression are well established. CHO restriction thus opens the

possibility to target the same underlying mechanisms without the side-effects of

hunger and weight loss.

(v) Some laboratory studies indicate a direct anti-tumor potential of ketone bodies.

During the past years, a multitude of mouse studies indeed proved anti-tumor

effects of KDs for various tumor types, and a few case reports and pre-clinical

studies obtained promising results in cancer patients as well. Several registered

clinical trials are going to investigate the case for a KD as a supportive therapeutic

option in oncology.

Impact of caloric and dietary restriction regimens on markers of health and longevity in humans and animals: A summary of available findings

Impact of caloric and dietary restriction regimens on markers of health and

longevity in humans and animals: A summary of available findings

Nutrition Journal 2011, 10:107 doi:10.1186/1475-2891-10-107

John F Trepanowski (jtrepa2@uic.edu)

Robert E Canale (rcanale@memphis.edu)

Kate E Marshall (kmarsh14@uthsc.edu)

Mohammad M Kabir (mkabir@memphis.edu)

Richard J Bloomer (rbloomer@memphis.edu)

ISSN 1475-2891

Article type Review

Submission date 23 June 2011

Acceptance date 7 October 2011

Publication date 7 October 2011

Article URL http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/107

OVERALL SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

CR has been demonstrated to extend the maximal lifespan of a diverse group of species. 24

This extension of life is maximized when: 1) the magnitude of CR is elevated to the highest

possible value before inducing malnutrition and 2) the duration of CR is maximized. Animals on

CR regimens exhibit a variety of improvements in overall health in general and cardiovascular

health in particular. Unfortunately, the likelihood of discovering whether or not CR extends

human life is rather remote due to the ethical and logistical limitations of research design. The

optimal magnitude and duration of CR for humans will also likely never be known for the same

reason. Nonetheless, many human CR studies have noted favorable changes in biomarkers

related to cardiovascular and glucoregulatory function, which likely relate to quality of life and

may relate to longevity.

Due to the austerity of following a CR regimen of sufficient magnitude and duration,

alternatives such as CE, ADF, and DR may prove to be more appealing. The most pertinent

consideration to make when evaluating these alternatives is whether or not they elicit benefits

that are comparable to CR. ADF has been demonstrated to extend life and improve both

cardiovascular and glucoregulatory funnction in animals. Human trials have noted heterogeneous

findings and sex-specific differences regarding ADF’s effects on glucoregulatory function.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to compare the effects of ADF and CR regimens across different

studies due to an enormous number of confounding variables. Future studies should feature an

ADF group and a CR group so that direct comparisons can be made. Regarding DR, neither

carbohydrate restriction nor lipid restriction extend life. However, protein restriction appears to

extend maximum lifespan by 20%. Recent findings suggest that methionine restriction may be

the single cause of life extension observed in protein restriction studies. Future studies should

examine the effects of different magnitudes of methionine restriction on life extension.

As noted above, considerable research has recently focused on whether CE augments any 25

of the health-promoting benefits caused by CR alone. Very few conclusions can currently be

made due to the mixed results of the studies. CE does not appear to extend life beyond any

extension observed to be caused by CR. However, CE may be more manageable for many

individuals due to the smaller reduction in dietary calorie consumption. Future work in this area

should examine different exercise intensities, volumes, frequencies, and modalities.

Also, future work should compare different amounts of exercise-induced caloric expenditure.

Islamic Ramadan, the three principal fasting periods of Greek Orthodox Christianity, and

the Daniel Fast each provide a unique and interesting vantage point for evaluating the effects of

food restriction/modification. The majority of findings related to Ramadan fasting are mixed,

and these discrepancies are most likely due to the differences in cultural norms – particularly

dietary norms – of the groups studied. The three Greek Orthodox Christian fasts appear to

decrease body mass and lower both total and LDL cholesterol levels, although these fasts

minimally affect the intake of most vitamins and minerals. Finally, the Daniel Fast is associated

with profound and favorable effects on a variety of markers related to human health, including

blood pressure, blood lipids, insulin sensitivity, and biomarkers of oxidative stress.

This paper has touched on some of the numerous methods of restricting dietary intake.

Whether one chooses to restrict energy intake daily, fast every other day, restrict intake of a

particular macronutrient, or fast for religious purposes, the authors hope that this paper can serve as a valuable tool to understanding the ability of dietary modification to improve overall health and the quality of life. Furthermore, we hope that this information will fuel the development of new ideas and research studies focused on investigating the health benefits of caloric and dietary

restriction.

Abbreviations: ADF, alternate-day fasting; ASUI, Asthma Symptom Utility Index; BDNF,

brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CALERIE, Comprehensive Assessment of Long Term Effects

of Reducing Caloric Intake; CE, caloric restriction combined with exercise; CR, caloric

restriction; DR, dietary restriction; FEV1, forced expiratory volume; HDL, high density

lipoprotein; LDL, low density lipoprotein; MDA, malondialdehyde; MI, myocardial infarction;

mini-AQLQ, mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire; PEF, Peak Expiratory Flow

nu din cauza insulinei esti gras

un post interesant aici

Brad Pilon - un articol interesant

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Bill de Simone

http://youtu.be/e34h3VIjEj4

Human Biological Clock

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studiu nou despre post

Fasting vs dietary restriction in cellular protection and cancer treatment: from model organisms to patients.

The dietary recommendation for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, as described by the American Cancer Society, is to increase calorie and protein intake. Yet, in simple organisms, mice, and humans, fasting-no calorie intake-induces a wide range of changes associated with cellular protection, which would be difficult to achieve even with a cocktail of potent drugs. In mammals, the protective effect of fasting is mediated, in part, by an over 50% reduction in glucose and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) levels. Because proto-oncogenes function as key negative regulators of the protective changes induced by fasting, cells expressing oncogenes, and therefore the great majority of cancer cells, should not respond to the protective signals generated by fasting, promoting the differential protection (differential stress resistance) of normal and cancer cells. Preliminary reports indicate that fasting for up to 5 days followed by a normal diet, may also protect patients against chemotherapy without causing chronic weight loss. By contrast, the long-term 20 to 40% restriction in calorie intake (dietary restriction, DR), whose effects on cancer progression have been studied extensively for decades, requires weeks-months to be effective, causes much more modest changes in glucose and/or IGF-I levels, and promotes chronic weight loss in both rodents and humans. In this study, we review the basic as well as clinical studies on fasting, cellular protection and chemotherapy resistance, and compare them to those on DR and cancer treatment. Although additional pre-clinical and clinical studies are necessary, fasting has the potential to be translated into effective clinical interventions for the protection of patients and the improvement of therapeutic index.Oncogene advance online publication, 25 April 2011

1861 US ARMY dietary guidlines

Soldiers should be fed a mixed diet of animal and vegetable substances.

A variety of foods are needed to avoid monotony and increase assimilation.

A healthy diet must conform to the physiological requirements of the season with less animal fats in the summer dietary, and more starch, vegetables, and fruits.

Fresh fruits are always preferable to dry or preserved ones.

Farinaceous vegetables are more nourishing than roots or grasses.

The best soldiers in the world are fed on dark colored bread.

French army dietaries provide nutritious soups made with meat or vegetables.

The woody fibre of the vegetable provides bulk as well as nourishment.

Each company should have at least one educated cook.

Beans, unless thoroughly cooked, are only fit for horses. When half-cooked, they will provoke indigestion and diarrhea.

Ardent spirits are not necessary for health and the soldier is better off without them.

Soldiers must be well fed to bear the fatigues of marching, to encounter unaffected the changes of climate, and to develop a high muscular tone.

ISSN position on meal frequency

critica pe blogul leangains

DNA

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postul religios e sanatos

A 21 day Daniel Fast improves selected biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress in men and women
Richard J Bloomer, Mohammad M Kabir, John F Trepanowski, Robert E Canale and Tyler M Farney
For all author emails, please log on.
Nutrition & Metabolism 2011, 8:17 doi:10.1186/1743-7075-8-17
Published: 18 March 2011
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Dietary modification via both caloric and nutrient restriction is associated with multiple health benefits, some of which are related to an improvement in antioxidant status and a decrease in the production of reactive oxygen species. The Daniel Fast is based on the Biblical book of Daniel, is commonly partaken for 21 days, and involves food intake in accordance with a stringent vegan diet. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of a 21 day Daniel Fast on biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress. Methods: 43 subjects (13 men; 30 women; 35+/-1 yrs; range: 20-62 yrs) completed a 21 day Daniel Fast following the guidelines provided by investigators. Subjects reported to the lab in a 12 hour post-absorptive state both pre fast (day 1) and post fast (day 22). At each visit, blood was collected for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitrate/nitrite (NOx), Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC). Subjects recorded dietary intake during the 7 day period immediately prior to the fast and during the final 7 days of the fast. Results: A decrease was noted in MDA (0.66+/-0.03 vs. 0.56+/-0.02 umol/L; p=0.004), while H2O2 demonstrated a trend for lowering (4.42+/-0.32 vs. 3.78+/-0.21 umol/L; p=0.074). Both NOx (18.79+/-1.92 vs. 26.97+/-2.40 umol/L; p=0.003) and TEAC (0.47+/-0.01 vs. 0.51+/-0.01 mmol/L; p=0.001) increased from pre to post fast, while ORAC was unchanged (5243+/-103 vs. 5249+/-183 umol/L TE; p=0.974). As expected, multiple differences in dietary intake were noted (p<0.05), including a reduction in total calorie intake (2185+/-94 vs. 1722+/-85). Conclusion: Modification of dietary intake in accordance with the Daniel Fast is associated with an improvement in selected biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress, including metabolites of nitric oxide (i.e., NOx).

slabirea este independenta de insulina

un post interesant aici

Cristi, ai citit?

radicali liberi

ce sa vezi, nu sunt asa rai

"As usual, it's a case of everything in moderation. In normal conditions, free radicals act as important signal substances, but very high levels or long-lasting increases can lead to disease"

Brad Pilon inflamation theory

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vrei sa slabesti? poti sa mananci ORICE

AICI

"Eat less, while enjoying the foods you eat. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and lots of herbs and spices. And maybe most importantly, spend less time stressing over the types of food you are eating."

mecinicumilmaicheama

tataie e depasit saracu...citat din evz

"Răcoritoarele "light" au fost intens promovate. Toţi cei aflaţi în lupta cu kilogramele erau consolaţi că, printre atâtea restricţii, puteau să simtă gustul de zahăr fără "vina" că se va şi depune. Cine crede că băuturile dietetice nu îngraşă se înşală însă: în final, se vor îngrăşa mai mult, pentru că vor compensa mâncând mai mult din alte alimente.

"Nu poţi păcăli organismul: el va reţine caloriile pe care nu le-a primit din băuturile fals-dulci din alte surse. Tot metabolismul se dereglează", atrage atenţia specialistul Mencinicopschi."

American Dietary Guidlines for 2010

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