What is a ketogenic diet?
Cancer is one of the chronic diseases that continues to ravage the world today despite sophisticated advances in health care. There are many approaches used by cancer specialists to try and battle this wide-range disease. From the technological growth of pharmacology to therapies and surgeries, all have not been able to fight this disease. Doctors specialized in cancer are now shifting their minds towards regulating the metabolic functions within our bodies as a real solution for treating cancer rather than using human-made pills.
Today, there are several types of diets that people enjoy. Some of these diets that people consume on a regular basis are rich in starch, sugar, and grain. Unfortunately, research shows that consuming foods rich in sugar fuels the chances of one getting cancer. The big question for you will be; with all these delicacies, which is the right one to consume? The ultimate answer to your question will be the ketogenic diet.
Ketogenic diet commonly known as keto diet consists of low carbohydrate, adequate protein, and a high-fat diet. The diet places the body into a metabolic state referred to as ketosis. The diet slowly began to become many people’s favorite diet after nutritionists approved it to be an effective diet. The diet comes with a lot of benefits to the human body, one of the benefits is fighting cancer.
Why ketogenic diet for cancer?
As stated earlier, sugar increases the chances of getting cancer. However, the body still needs sugar and carbohydrates to make energy. The ketogenic diet prevents this dependence by placing the body in a metabolic state referred to as ketosis. The metabolic state makes your body to burn ketones to produce its energy. With this, there is no dependence of sugar to provide energy.
Since the diet is a low-carb diet, your body will also produce ketones. Through this, your body adapts to the ketosis metabolism. In all of this, a hormone referred to as FGF21 found in the liver becomes efficient.
How ketogenic diet becomes a real solution for treating cancer
The cancer cells have traits that are not like normal cells. They have ten times more insulin receptors on their cell surface compared to a typical cell. With this property, they can instantly take glucose at an increased rate when they enter the bloodstream. It means when there is more glucose in the bloodstream, then the cancer cells thrive. So, how does the diet become a real solution for treating cancer?
The ketogenic diet achieves this by weakening the cancer cells. When you are on the ketogenic diet; your body is reducing levels of carbohydrates. The low levels will lower the levels of glucose in the body putting your body in a ketosis process. This process helps to exhaust the energy supply of the cancer cells, which is commonly glucose.
Healthy fatty acids are one of the foods in the ketogenic diet. Cancer cells mostly need glucose and amino acids to thrive; therefore, with healthy fatty acids replacing them, the cancer cells can’t succeed. The ketogenic diet typically restricts the energy source of the cancer cells; thus, starving off cancer.
Ketogenic diet approved foods for cancer
The recommended foods will undoubtedly revolve around low carbohydrates, adequate proteins, and healthy fats. The following is a list of some of the foods in each category;
Healthy Fats
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Avocados
Foods low in carbohydrates
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
- Kale
Foods with adequate proteins
- Fish and seafood
- Grass-fed beef
- Fermented dairy
- Organic pastured poultry
There are some foods in the ketogenic diet that do not fall in the above categories. Some of them include apple cider vinegar, dried herbs, limes, and lemons. These foods are also essential in dealing with cancer. They are rich in organic acids, enzymes, and antioxidants. With these substances in these foods, your body can create an alkaline environment. They also serve the same purpose of weakening the cancer cells. Therefore, it is also essential for you to include these foods in the ketogenic diet.
