Cancer ResearchFasting Diets Remain Experimental in Cancer Care as Nutrition Support Takes Priority
Can fasting or a ketogenic diet help during cancer treatment? This narrative review separates promising research from established care. It examines oncology nutrition guidelines and studies of fasting, fasting-mimicking diets, restricted eating windows, and ketogenic diets. Some studies suggest improvements in selected blood markers, quality of life, or tumor response among carefully selected patients. However, no reproducible survival benefit has been established, and no diet has been proven to reproducibly cure cancer. The practical priority is identifying poor nutrition early and protecting patients from weight and muscle loss. Experimental dietary approaches should not replace cancer treatment or routine nutrition support. Patients considering them should consult their oncology team and a dietitian. This summary is based only on the abstract, which does not provide numerical results or detailed assessments of study quality.
