What are the similarities between the Ketogenic and Dr. Hulda Clark’s Anti-Cancer Diet?

Dr. Clark was big on diet, but also recognized that people had widely varied dietary needs and preferences. She though that what was most important was making sure they were getting enough of the right nutrients, like iodine and phytonutrients from herbs, while avoiding toxins. But her diet brought patients closer to the keto diet than most, because she advocated no sugar whatsoever if it could be helped. If the person was in good health and did not have to worry about sugar, she recommended that the best forms were fruit juice concentrates, honey, and maple syrup.

It is a testament to her protocol’s success that they were so effective despite the fact they did not exclude sugar. In a keto diet, no sugar and very little carbs are consumed. However, in Dr. Clark’s diet and recipe collection, you can see a significant progress towards restricting glucose, and how it can serve as a stepping stone for those not ready to go on a strict keto diet. In fact, in the last 20 years, the keto diet has been made available at children's hospitals, and has been observed to improve metabolic conditions, reverse trauma, heart problems, neurodegenerative disease, and malignant cancers (Talib et al, 2021). 

Why would a low carb, high fat diet help with cancer? Thomas N. Seyfried, Professor of Biology at Boston College, known for his research on cancer as a metabolic disease, published a significant work titled "Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer," which diverges from the traditional genomic approach. His research suggests that targeting cancer metabolism could be a key strategy in treatment and prevention. A pivotal study by Seyfried et al. (2012) highlights how ketogenic diets exploit metabolic vulnerabilities. The restriction in glucose availability forces cancer cells, which have impaired mitochondrial function, to rely on mitochondria-intensive pathways for energy, ultimately leading to cancer cell apoptosis. Furthermore, ketone bodies like beta-hydroxybutyrate, which are less efficiently metabolized by tumor cells, may provide neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits (Woolf et al., 2016).

The Ketogenic Diet and Its Role in Cancer Therapy

Recent research continues to explore ketogenic diets as an adjunct to cancer therapy. Studies in animal models show reduced tumor growth and enhanced survival rates in those consuming low-sugar, high-fat diets. Additionally, fasting and ketosis have been shown to improve chemotherapy responsiveness and reduce side effects. By shifting the body's energy source from glucose to fat-derived ketones, the diet creates an unfavorable environment for cancer cells, which thrive on glucose. This shift can slow-down or inhibit cancer cell growth. Ketone bodies, produced from fatty acids, become the primary energy source for the body. This shift in energy metabolism is particularly pertinent to cancer treatment due to the Warburg effect—a phenomenon where cancer cells predominantly rely on glycolysis for energy, even in aerobic conditions, resulting in heightened glucose consumption and lactate production.

Additionally, ketogenic diets have been posited to enhance oxidative stress within cancerous cells, tipping the balance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inducing further apoptotic pathways. Cunnane et al. (2020) found that ketogenesis augments mitochondrial biogenesis in healthy cells, potentially offsetting the energy deficit and improving overall cellular resilience during chemotherapy.

Clinical trials, such as those conducted by Weber et al. (2016), have begun to validate these theoretical advantages. In these studies, ketogenic diets demonstrated an ability to decrease tumor proliferation markers in patients undergoing chemotherapy for glioblastoma, without exacerbating loss of muscle mass or negatively impacting overall quality of life. However, it more controlled research is needed to better understand contraindications, such as potential impacts on cachexia or nutrient deficiencies observed in certain cancer patients. Strict diets pose their own challenges, necessitating multidisciplinary collaboration and patient education to ensure compliance and maximize therapeutic outcomes. Thus, while promising, ketogenic diets in cancer treatment remain an adjunctive rather than primary approach, warranting further exploration in randomized controlled trials.

Key Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet in Cancer Treatment

Reduces Glucose Supply: By limiting carbohydrate intake, the ketogenic diet reduces the glucose supply that cancer cells rely on for growth.

Promotes Fat Utilization: Encourages the body to utilize fats as the primary energy source, depriving cancer cells of their preferred fuel.

Supports Metabolic Health: Enhances overall metabolic health, potentially reducing cancer progression and improving patient outcomes.

Dangers of High Sugar Intake:

Both Keto and Dr. Clark's diet recommend low sugar, as high sugar has been linked to cancer growth and proliferation (Minh, 2023). In addition, besides direct influences on cancer, sugar effects multiple immune factors and microbiome health. For example:

• High sugar intake leads to elevated blood glucose levels. This increases the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which dampens your ability to fend off foreign invaders.
• Neutrophils are white blood cells that serve as the first line of defense in your innate immune system. They ‘eat’ harmful pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. High blood sugar activates the release of the enzyme protein kinase C, which inhibits neutrophil function. This gives pathogens a chance to set up shop!
• Studies show high blood sugar can also decrease interleukin-6, a part of your innate and adaptive immune system that helps regulate the immune response.
• Research reveals high sugar diets increase gut permeability and can tip the balance of your microbiome so that the bad guys outnumber the good ones. This is bad news, as 70-80% of the immune system lives in your gut. That’s why if you want a robust immune system, good gut health is key. Keto improves GI function and microbial balance (Santangelo et al, 2023). 

References

Santangelo A, Corsello A, Spolidoro GCI, Trovato CM, Agostoni C, Orsini A, Milani GP, Peroni DG. The Influence of Ketogenic Diet on Gut Microbiota: Potential Benefits, Risks and Indications. Nutrients. 2023 Aug 22;15(17):3680.

Talib, W.H.; Mahmod, A.I.; Kamal, A.; Rashid, H.M.; Alashqar, A.M.D.; Khater, S.; Jamal, D.; Waly, M. Ketogenic Diet in Cancer Prevention and Therapy: Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Opportunities. Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2021, 43, 558-589. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb43020042