The Power of the Ketogenic Diet & Intermittent Fasting

The ketogenic diet involves the removal of most carbohydrates from the diet, particularly sugar or anything that turns to sugar, replacing them with LOTs of healthy fats and moderate amounts of healthy high-quality protein. The ratio that I follow is about 75% healthy fats, 23% protein and 2% carbohydrates (too much protein can also turn to sugar).

Healthy cells have the ability to adapt from using glucose for fuel to using ketone bodies. Ketone bodies are three different water soluble biochemicals that are produced as by-products when fatty acids are broken down by the liver to be used for energy.

How does the ketogenic diet benefit a cancer patient?

As everyone knows, cancer cells feed on glucose (sugar) as their PRIMARY fuel. All carbohydrates turn into glucose (sugar) inside your body in seconds, since cancer cells love glucose (sugar) and need it so badly for energy, without it they become weaker and more sensitive. This WEAKNESS is now used with higher end treatments.

Even if someone is choosing chemotherapy or radiation, when cancer cells become weaker, the radiation and chemotherapy work much better and more specifically.

Here are 3 more studies proving the power of the Ketogenic Diet:

1.The calorically restricted ketogenic diet, an effective alternative therapy for malignant brain cancer. Nutr Metab (Lond).

2.The inhibition of malignant cell growth by ketone bodies. Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci.

3.Is there a role for carbohydrate restriction in the treatment and prevention of cancer? Nutr Metab (Lond)

To start the Ketogenic diet:

  1. Do water only fast for 3 days (unless you get into ketosis faster)
  2. Once you begin the diet, I would start with doing this diet along with Intermittent Fasting. (this will hold you in ketosis longer). * example: if you’re last meal is at 8 pm – I personally don’t eat another meal until 12 noon. This allows me to do a 16 hour fast. Only drinking water in the evening before bed & drinking black coffee with MCT oil in the morning (no creamer or sweetener). Then once in ketosis consistently, you can stop intermittent fasting, but I recommend 2-3 times per week.
  3. Monitor blood glucose- try to maintain at 70-83. The #83 is the perfect blood glucose level
  4. Monitor blood ketones- try to get up to 3.6. {Target range of ketones 0.5-9.0}

Purchase a Mojo meter or a personal device to monitor blood glucose levels & ketone levels.

  1. High intensity exercise daily and especially after biggest meal. I do a 7 minute workout & then rest for 2 minutes of stretching followed by a 2nd set of 7 minute workout.
  2. Add in Ketogenic supplements:
    * MCT oil- take 1 tablespoon before your workouts, take 1 tbsp in shake in morning, take 1tbsp with every meal
    What is the MCT oil? Medium chain triglycerides
    I’ve been using purvitt MCT oil 14:3:1
    Berberine daily
    ALA daily
    Fenugreek

Disclaimers: Not all cancers will benefit from a ketogenic diet. It depends on the type of cancer and patients metabolism. Please consult your oncologist before starting any new regime. No one size fits all, especially if you’re a type 1 diabetic.

Please consult with your healthcare provider before starting any restrictive food diets or call our office.
770-ATL PAIN / 770-285-7246

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