Low Calorie Ketogenic Diet Slows Brain Cancer in Mice

By Will Boggs, MD

NEW YORK MAR 29, 2007 (Reuters Health) - A calorically restricted ketogenic diet decreases the growth of malignant brain tumors in a mouse model, according to a report in the online BioMed Central journal Nutrition & Metabolism, published February 21.

"In contrast to most conventional brain tumor therapies, which are largely ineffective, are excessively costly, and can diminish the length and quality of life, the calorically restricted ketogenic diet is a natural therapeutic approach to brain cancer management that is based on the principles of evolutionary biology and metabolic control theory," Dr. Thomas N. Seyfried told Reuters Health.

Dr. Seyfried and associates at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts evaluated the efficacy of KetoCal, a ketogenic diet formulated for managing refractory epilepsy in children, in mice implanted with a malignant mouse astrocytoma and a human malignant glioma.

Intracerebral growth of the two tumors was reduced from 35% to 65% in mice given restricted amounts of KetoCal, compared with mice receiving unrestricted normal or KetoCal diets, the researchers report.

Survival was also significantly longer among mice receiving the restricted KetoCal diet, the results indicate.

Plasma glucose levels were significantly lower and circulating beta-hydroxybutyrate levels significantly higher in mice fed the restricted KetoCal diet, the researchers note.

"Our studies in mice were motivated in part by the previous studies of Linda Nebeling and co-workers who showed that a calorically restricted medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic diet was effective for the long-term management of malignant brain cancer in children," Dr. Seyfried explained. "Our work in mice strongly supports the original study."

He concluded: "It is important that clinical trials be initiated as soon as possible on the calorically restricted ketogenic diet for brain cancer management. These trials could be conducted at any medical center or clinic currently using the ketogenic diet as a therapy for refractory epileptic seizures."

SOURCE:

• Nutrition & Metabolism 2007;4.