Severe Calorie Restriction: Helpful with Cancer Treatments?

by Mila McManus, MD

Severe calorie restriction may support cancer treatment by enhancing T-cell populations that target tumor cells.

A recent clinical trial suggests that short-term, severe calorie restriction (called a fasting-mimicking diet) results in biological effects that may be helpful in cancer treatment. Cancer Discovery, the American Association for Cancer Research journal, published the report.

Severe, short-term calorie restriction activates the immune response and is also safe and inexpensive. Combined with standard anti-cancer therapies, the biological impacts included a decrease in blood glucose, insulin, and growth factor. In addition, there was a reduction in peripheral blood immunosuppressive cells and enhanced T-cell populations, which can identify and target tumor cells. The severe calorie restriction generated a metabolic “shock” that activated immune cells, boosting other cancer treatments’ antitumor activity.

The fasting-mimicking diet consisted of a five-day severe calorie restriction. The diet was a low-carbohydrate, low-protein, plant-derived diet. Patients were given up to 600 calories on the first day, and up to 300 calories were given on days 2, 3, 4, and 5. The total calories consumed over the five days was up to 1800. Patients repeated the cycle every three or four weeks for up to eight weeks. Between fasting cycles, there was a refeeding period of 16-23 days, during which patients were not restricted but guided to adhere to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

One of the most valuable findings for the severe calorie restriction diet was that patients did not experience progressive weight loss common to cancer patients. Rather, the patients were able to maintain weight. Additionally, the diet is tolerated by the majority of patients, with fatigue being the most common side effect.

We do not recommend severe calorie restriction or fasting-mimicking diets without consulting your medical provider first. This may not be the best protocol for every situation, and you should ask your medical provider if it is right for you.

Be well.

References:

http://worldhealth.net/news/fasting-mimicking-diet-helpful-to-cancer-patients/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=worldhealth

Mistletoe Therapy for Cancer

By Mila McManus MD

Mistletoe (aka Viscum Album) is the most studied plant used for alternative and complementary cancer therapies. It’s been used in Germany for over 100 years. In fact, 85% of cancer patients in Germany are also on mistletoe therapy. Mistletoe’s effects are quite impressive! There are various types of mistletoe that grow on various tree types. Johns Hopkins is wrapping up a clinical trial on mistletoe therapy, and MD Anderson will soon be starting a clinical trial using mistletoe for osteosarcoma.

Here are some other important facts:

There are NO contraindications for using mistletoe with any conventional cancer treatment.
There are no known drug interactions.
Various components of mistletoe fight cancer by directly killing cancer cells, as well as stimulating the immune system to fight the cancer.
Mistletoe diminishes many of the side effects related to chemo and radiation. This includes a reduction in fatigue and nausea. It also improves appetite, mood, and sleep.
Mistletoe contains endorphins that act as natural pain killers and can reduce or eliminate the need for pain medications.
Some components of mistletoe repair DNA in damaged cells and protect DNA of healthy cells.
Different types of mistletoe are used for different types of cancers.
If you have a known allergy to latex, kiwi, banana, avocado, or chestnuts, an initial test dose will be given to make sure there is not a cross-reactivity with mistletoe since it contains similar lectins.
Mistletoe is complementary to conventional therapies and can also be used as a monotherapy if someone refuses, or is not a candidate for, conventional cancer treatments.
It can be used after cancer treatment to help prevent recurrence. (I recommend a book called Cancer-Free! Are you Sure? By Jenny Hrbacek, RN)
Mistletoe is typically used for 5 years or longer, at varying doses/schedules.
Mistletoe for cancer therapy is administered by subcutaneous injection, IV, and is sometimes injected directly into tumors. In the US, it’s only FDA-approved for oral intake (which isn’t useful for cancer treatment), so injections and IV are considered ‘off-label’ uses and are perfectly legal.
Mistletoe can be started at any point in a patient’s journey, meaning that it’s never too late to start using it. Of course, the sooner a person starts, the better!
Mistletoe therapy requires special training. Always use mistletoe under the guidance of a trained professional.

Learn more about mistletoe therapy and costs.

Call (281) 298-6742 for questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare providers to discuss whether a mistletoe protocol is right for you!

References:

https://riordanclinic.org/what-we-do/mistletoe-therapy/

https://anthroposophicmedicine.org/

https://www.cancer.gov/

Compendium of Mistletoe Therapy with Helixor in Integrative Oncology