Researchers from Fudan University in Shanghai explored how a high fat ketogenic diet impacts low platelet counts caused by chemotherapy. The study results appeared in Science Translational Medicine, highlighting a potential link between diet and blood cell restoration during cancer treatment.
The ketogenic diet is a nutrition plan that emphasizes high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate intake. It is widely used for weight management, but its effects on blood cell production and recovery during chemotherapy are now being investigated more closely. Thrombocytopenia, a condition marked by low platelets, is a serious complication for cancer patients and can worsen treatment outcomes and raise the risk of complications and mortality.
In the study, switching to a ketogenic meal plan for seven days was associated with higher platelet counts in five healthy volunteers. A broader review of prior research indicated that 17 of 28 cancer patients who adhered to the ketogenic plan reported fewer disease-related issues. The researchers underscore that options for treating chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia are often limited by side effects and price, yet the ketogenic approach may help reduce thrombocytopenia in both animals and humans without triggering excessive platelet production. [Attribution: Science Translational Medicine, Fudan University]
The ketogenic diet works by increasing ketone production in the liver, which appears to support the body in fighting disease. These ketones influence bone marrow activity, resulting in a rise in circulating platelets. The finding suggests a possible non pharmacological strategy to support platelet counts during cancer therapy, but experts emphasize the need for larger trials and careful clinical monitoring to understand who may benefit and how to implement dietary changes safely. [Attribution: Scientific literature review, cancer nutrition researchers]