I was wondering if anyone here was on a ketogenic diet and in ketosis prior to getting diagnosed with cancer?
I’m reverse, but the thought had crossed my mind and was wondering how all the side effects were through treatment and stuff.
I’m new to keto and started only 2 weeks ago. I have only hit .6 once but the meds are making it hard.
Anyway, would love to pick your experience a bit of anything to look out for.
Ty
M.
I haven’t had any cancer diagnosis but as I researched a LCHF WOE I kept coming up only positives. These positives included inhibiting weight gain, insulin resistance, possibly delaying or reducing alzheimer’s, parkinson’s and may not only prevent cancer but there are also cases where it he reversed tumor growth. The only negatives I could find were ketoacidosis risk (debunked) and the spooky warning “nobody knows what the long term effects of a prolonged keto diet”. So it was clear to me, even if I am wrong about some of these positives it is worth a roll of the dice.
Compare this with diabetes, obesity and heart disease of the SAD and I say yeah, I’ll take my chances on keto. I also factored in that by the time any real studies are done I will likely not be around anymore. Because keto is free it will is not likely anyone will fund a study either.
Well, to answer your question without actually answering your question… lol
Certain types are cancer are known to grow much more quickly and aggressively when fed a high carb diet. These cancers will grow much more slowly- or not at all- when fed a very low carb diet.
Other cancers, however, seem to grow at the same rate regardless of diet.
I think that there is still a ton of research to be done on this subject.
I just saw this the other day and had no idea that some cancers can grow without glucose.
My sympathies to you on the diagnosis of cancer.
I’m actually sitting here at my cancer center, getting a chemo infusion (I’m getting pre-meds right now).
I have personally found my side to be extremely minimal.
First off, don’t stress about the 0.6 ketones. It took me a bit to get mine up (for various reasons).
I can say that the only major side effect I’ve noticed is being very tired, but that’s from the Benedryl that they are putting in my IV. It goes right to the blood stream, so there is no delay from having to digest it.
OK, that said…
One of my pre-meds (its off my list now) was Dexamethasone. I noticed it really raised my glucose, but it also increased my ketones. I’ve been keto since the beginning of July (maybe around the 7th).
I have plenty of energy, especially when I get enough sleep (baby keeps me up late, for one late feeding before bed). I have not iexperienced any chemo fatigue or nausea! Praise God for that. I wouldn’t stress about the ketones too much, as you are still adapting.
You’ll want to make sure that your particular cancer does NOT feed off of glucose. Have you had any PET scans to see where it all is? Are you early stage or late stage? Definitely let your onco (oncologist) know that you are doing keto. I was told (for my breast cancer) that it was OK for me to go keto. She’s not keen on me fasting (said its unsafe b/c of nausea and fatigue).
I’d love to talk to you more (PMs), so we don’t clog up this thread.
Expect chemo (I assume you are on, or will be starting) to mess your blood counts.