Postul intermitent in cancer: beneficii, studii si recomandari

Postul intermitent (intermittent fasting) a devenit un subiect de mare interes in oncologie, mai ales in ultimii 10–15 ani. Nu este un tratament in sine pentru cancer, dar poate fi un adjuvant valoros alaturi de terapiile clasice si de un stil de viata sanatos. Beneficiile sale se bazeaza pe mecanisme biologice bine documentate, iar unele au fost confirmate in studii clinice si experimentale.

Here are the main positive effects, explained in a user-friendly way:

1. Decreased insulin and IGF-1 growth factor levels

• Insulin and IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) are hormones that stimulate cell growth.
• Cancer cells divide rapidly and "take advantage" of an environment with high insulin and IGF-1.
• With intermittent fasting, blood glucose decreases, insulin normalizes, and IGF-1 is reduced.
• This environment becomes less conducive to tumor proliferation, but supports normal cells, which adapt better to the decreased energy.

• 🔹 Studies show that reducing IGF-1 may slow tumor growth and improve response to chemotherapy.

2. Activation of autophagy ("cell cleansing")

• Autophagy is the process by which cells "recycle" their defective components, including damaged mitochondria or abnormal proteins.
• In cancer, autophagy is often blocked and toxins accumulate.
• Intermittent fasting, especially after 16-24 hours, intensely activates autophagy.
• The result: normal cells become more resistant and cancer cells become more vulnerable to treatment.

🔹 This mechanism is described as a metabolic "resetting" effect, useful both in prevention and in support of treatments.

3. Selective protection during chemotherapy ("Differential Stress Resistance")

• In fasting, healthy cells go into a protective mode, reducing division and energy consumption.
• Cancer cells, however, cannot adapt to the lack of glucose and continue to divide chaotically, making them more sensitive to chemotherapy.
• This phenomenon has been demonstrated in studies by Valter Longo, who shows that a 48-72 hour fast before chemotherapy can:
  • reduces adverse effects on healthy cells,
  • enhance the effectiveness of cytostatics.

4. Decreased systemic inflammation

• Cancer is favored by chronic inflammation, and intermittent fasting reduces levels of:
  • CRP (C-reactive protein),
  • proinflammatory interleukins (IL-6, TNF-α),
  • oxidative stress.
• An environment with low inflammation is less conducive to tumor progression and improves immunity.

5. Improving antitumor immunity

• After periods of fasting followed by healthy re-feeding, the body produces new immune cells, including cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, which attack cancer cells.
• AHCC, which you already use, can potentiate the effect on immunity if integrated into an intermittent fasting lifestyle.

6. Reducing fat mass and estrogen in hormone-dependent cancers

• Adipose tissue is a major source of inflammation and hormones, including oestrogen.
• In cancers such as breast and prostate cancer, reducing body fat decreases hormonal stimulation of the tumor.

🔹 In your personal experience, losing the 18 kg by OMAD (One Meal A Day) helped to regulate your metabolism and maintain an undetectable PSA.

7. Improving quality of life during treatment

• Many patients report:
  • less nausea during chemotherapy,
  • better energy,
  • more restful sleep,
  • increased mental clarity.
• These effects are associated with the stabilization of blood glucose and increased production of ketones, which become a clean fuel for the brain and muscles.

Important precautions

• It is not recommended in case of casexia (severe weight loss) or in very advanced cancers, where the patient is already extremely thin.