Dr Thomas Seyfried says adopting a ketogenic diet into your life could prevent cancer or shrink tumour growth – these are the foods he recommends
A health expert has shared new research that suggests following a certain diet could prevent humans from getting cancer. Dr Thomas Seyfried says he considers cancer a very preventable disorder that is linked to lifestyle choices, more than genetics.
Dr Seyfried opens up about his findings to Steven Bartlett on his latest episode of Diary Of A CEO. Dr Seyfried is a professor of biology, genetics and biochemistry, he has dedicated the past 30 years gathering scientific evidence on what could be the true origin and prevention of cancer.
When asked by Steven to share real life cases of people who have followed his expertise, Dr Seyfried recalled a man from Devon called Pablo Kelly, who had glioblastoma – a severe form of brain cancer. Dr Seyfried said Mr Kelly was told by doctors that his tumour was inoperable and that he might live for 9-12 months with radiation and chemotherapy.
Mr Kelly rejected standard care and instead opted for a metabolic approach. This included a low-carbohydrate diet with avocados and fish oil, and did not take any steroids, radiation, or chemotherapy.
After three years, the professor says Mr Kelly’s tumour was still present but had become more operable, and a surgeon was able to remove it. Mr Kelly recovered well, and the surgeon believed they had removed the entire tumour.
He told Steven: “Cancer is getting worse and there’s no major advance in reducing death rates, and I can speak to the reasons for that – all major cancer research centres think cancer is a genetic disease.” Steven replies: “You believe otherwise?” The professor replied: “It’s not whether you believe, it’s what the data tells us.”
He added: “The evidence is massive to support that cancer is a metabolic disorder and the problem is we’re doing everything we possibly can in our lifestyle to induce it. The scientific evidence is there.”
Cancer cells are unable to utilise ketones for energy. Studies conducted on animals indicate that ketones might help decrease the size and growth of tumours. The scientist recommends following a metabolic lifestyle, focussed around a ketogenic diet, foods include:
- Fish and seafood
- Low-carb veggies and leafy greens
- Cheese
- Avocados
- Poultry
- Eggs
- Nuts, seeds and healthful oils
- Plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese
- Berries
- Unsweetened coffee and tea
- Dark chocolate and cocoa powder
Always speak to your doctor first before making any major diet and lifestyle changes and check if a ketogenic diet is suitable for you. It is important to note a ketogenic diet can cause side effects, sometimes called the keto flu, including constipation, fatigue, headaches, low blood sugar, nausea, vomiting and poor exercise tolerance. These side effects are usually temporary and occur while the body adjusts to the diet.
The professor said studies have shown that cancer was sporadic rare in African tribes who were living according to traditional ways. But, he says cases increased when modern lifestyle entered their societies.
Similarly, he said wolves in the wild don’t die from cancer, but it’s the number one killer of domestic dogs, highlighting the impact of lifestyle issues. However, Dr Seyfried says metabolic therapy can be used as both a prevention and treatment method, and it has been successful in helping terminal cancer patients outlive their predicted life expectancy.
Cancer cells rely on sugar to multiply. Metabolic therapy utilises a class of medications known as metabolic inhibitors. These inhibitors disrupt the energy production process in cancer cells, making them more vulnerable to other cancer treatment methods.
By adopting metabolic therapy, individuals can reduce their risk of cancer and alleviate their fear of the disease, Dr Seyfried claims. He says that success in metabolic therapy relies heavily on the individual’s responsibility to make lifestyle changes.
Following a ketogenic diet and undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been two of the most successful strategies, the professor adds. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment where individuals breathe in pure oxygen while inside a pressurised chamber. This process aids the body in healing and combating infections.
The combination of a ketogenic diet and hyperbaric oxygen therapy can make the rest of the body’s cells healthier, as they are burning ketones in pure oxygen. “The rest of your cells are getting super healthy because they’re burning ketones in pure oxygen,” he explained.
Dr Seyfried referenced research by Linda Nebeling, a PhD nursing student at Case Western Reserve University, which involved giving two children with brain cancer a ketogenic diet to lower blood sugar. By doing so, researchers were able to rescue one of the children.
A glucose Ketone index (GKI) calculator was created at Boston College to assist cancer patients in keeping an eye on their blood sugar and ketone levels. This tool offers a consistent and straightforward number to help track their progress. The GKI is determined by dividing the blood glucose level by the blood ketone level, resulting in a figure that shows whether the patient is in a range conducive to tumour cell growth.
Dr Seyfried mentions that a GKI of 2.0 or lower is regarded as a safe zone, where the growth of tumour cells is less probable. This safe zone is applicable to all cancer types and is also beneficial for individuals aiming to maintain good health.
A low GKI is linked to a ketogenic diet, which emphasises reduced carbohydrate consumption and includes foods with a low glycaemic index. These include leafy greens, meats, and specific fruits like grapefruits.
The professor said a Mediterranean diet is also a good example of a diet that can help keep the GKI low, as it is low in carbohydrates and high in foods with a low glycaemic index. Foods with a low glycaemic index, such as those that release glucose slowly, are recommended, as they help keep the GKI low and prevent blood sugar spikes.
The GKI calculator was initially developed for brain cancer patients. But it is now being used for all types of cancer, and is also being used by healthy individuals who want to prevent cancer and stay healthy.
According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, No single food can cure cancer, but some research has shown a link between the keto diet and slowed growth of some types of tumours in mice.
Columbia University oncologist Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee has been researching the ketogenic diet as a potential tool in cancer treatment for a few years. Among other things, he found that a keto diet can actually accelerate certain leukaemia.
