Lung cancer is a particularly malicious form of cancer that is very difficult to cure. Combining a cancer diet with conventional treatments may maximize the chances of survival. Diets that are effective against progressing cancer are carefully designed to prevent cancer cells from dividing while ensuring that healthy cells stay as fit as possible. Foods high in carbohydrates and additives could facilitate tumor growth. No other major food group should be severely restricted. However, some cancer treatments require temporary restriction of foods high in specific amino acids or antioxidants. Never cut foods from your diet without first consulting a health-care professional.
Foods Rich in Sugar and Other Carbohydrates
Otto Warburg, who won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1931, found that cancer cells and healthy cells are metabolically different. Healthy cells prefer to metabolize glucose, or blood sugar. When glucose is limited, most healthy cells can metabolize fat and amino acids, the components of protein. Most cancer cells can only use glucose as a source of energy, and they can only use it via an inefficient pathway that does not require oxygen. Clinical trials at Würzburg Hospital in 2007 confirmed that restricting carbohydrates, the main source of glucose, may make it difficult for tumors to grow. Foods high in carbohydrate include sweets, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, peas, carrots and Brussels sprouts.
Processed Foods
Foods high in inorganic phosphates, such as processed meats, processed cheeses and packaged or frozen fish, may promote the growth and spread of lung cancer, according to a study in the January 2009 issue of “The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.” Phosphate is an essential nutrient, but it is also used as a food additive. In high concentrations, inorganic phosphate can stimulate the division of cancer cells in the lungs.
Foods High in Antioxidants
Whether to fill up on antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, and foods high in antioxidants, such as seeds, nuts, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and fresh herbs, during cancer treatment has been a subject of great controversy. According to a review of previous trials in the June 2008 issue of “Journal of National Cancer Institute,” antioxidants should be restricted during radiation and chemotherapy, as they could protect tumors and compromise survival. In healthy patients, antioxidants can prevent cell damage that results from free radicals. However, chemotherapy and radiation therapy make use of the destructive abilities of free radicals to wipe out cancer cells. While the free radicals that radiation and chemotherapy produce can damage healthy cells, the treatments are designed to be particularly harmful to cancer cells.
Foods High in Methionine
A study published in the October 2001 issue of “Journal of the American College of Nutrition” found that a diet low in the amino acid methionine may delay the growth of cancer without affecting the physical condition of healthy cells. The amino acid homocysteine can replace methionine in healthy cells but not in cancer cells. In the clinical trials, patients were fed medical food that contained no methionine. The researchers studied the methionine-free diet in patients who did not undergo any other form of therapy. However, they believe the most effective approach is a combination of radiation and chemotherapy and a diet low in methionine. Foods high in methionine include egg, soy protein, chicken, fish, legumes, corn, oat, seeds and nuts.
References
- Medline Plus: Diet – Cancer Treatment
- “Nutrition Science News”; Cancer’s Sweet Tooth, Q. Patrick; April 2000
- Würzburg Hospital: Information on a Ketogenic (Low Carbohydrate / High Fat + protein) Diet for Cancer Patients
- “The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine”; High Dietary Inorganic Phosphate Increases Lung Tumorigenesis and Alters Akt Signaling; H. Jin, et al.; January 2009
- “Journal of National Cancer Institute”; Should Supplemental Antioxidant Administration be Avoided During Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy?; B.D. Lawenda, et al.; June 2008
- “Journal of the American College of Nutrition”; Can Dietary Methionine Restriction Increase the Effectiveness of Chemotherapy in Treatment of Advanced Cancer?; D.E. Epner; October 2001
