IMPACT OF THE KETOGENIC DIET ON THE TREATMENT OF ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Cancer is a cellular abnormality characterized by the disordered division of cells and has various causes with the potential to modify common cells by altering their DNA, such as external (environmental) and internal (hereditary) factors. Due to the increase in the number of cancer cases, especially breast, prostate, colon and rectal cancers, there is a need for treatments. In view of its benefits, studies point to the ketogenic diet (CD) as an auxiliary treatment for patients, CD has a high lipid, moderate protein and low carbohydrate content, with the potential to create unfavorable conditions for growth of cancer, and improvement of biochemical, physiological and anthropometric parameters. DC targets the Warburg effect which is a modified metabolism present in cancer cells. Objective: The study aimed to describe the impact of CD in the treatment of cancer patients. Methodology: Data collection was carried out through searches in databases (PubMed, Scielo, Science Direct, Capes Periodicals, Scopus, LILACS) published from 2011 to 2021 in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Results and discussion: CD was initially used for refractory childhood epilepsy and is now studied in several diseases such as cancer. It has positive effects such as the regulation of important biochemical markers and mental health. By providing basal levels of carbohydrates, CD aims to disable the Warburg effect, through ketosis that drastically reduces the supply of substrate. CD is shown to be viable even with adverse effects, as they are common and treatable. Final considerations: Although CD has a visible potential for the use of diet in cancer patients, there is a lack of high quality studies for such management in clinical practice, which address tumor, metabolic, physiological, biochemical and anthropometric effects.