Could a Ketogenic Diet Prevent Cancer?

So to talk about this I need to establish a few ideas first.

Idea 1: Cancer is cells the continuously divide (reproduce themselves) and collect together to form tumors.

Idea 2: Cells feed off glucose. Carbs and sugar break down into glucose.

Idea 3: Our cells are multi-metabolic and can feed off glucose or ketones, but cancer cells can only feed off of glucose.

Idea 4: Ketones themselves are the body’s alternative energy source for when there is no available glucose. When the body is completely dependent on ketones this is called ketosis.

Now to the point of discussion, can a ketogenic diet help prevent cancer or even hinder its growth?

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02469/cancer-lambert_2469736b.jpg

Thinking about the points listed about, what I suggest is that you can starve cancer cells by entering into ketosis. You can get to ketosis by eating a no or low carb diet. I personally believe that this may be an alternative to some harsher treatments, or an addition to current treatments, that would positively affect cancer patients. Ketosis can also function as a preventative treatment. People who are obese are at a higher risk of cancer than people who are not, and ketogenic diets are proven to help people lose weight.

http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/organic/molecules/Ketone13.gif

I believe that ketogenic diets have the possibility to help prevent and stop cancer, but I do not what you to take my word for it. I am not a registered dietician, this is just the opinion I came to after looking at the evidence. I just want to encourage you to look further into it.

For more on the topic you can look here. I have also written a post on this topic before that would provide you with additional info on ketogenic diets specifically.