> Fasting (1 to n weeks) is said to provide potential benefits for certain types of cancer treatments. Pre-cancer, it is said to potentially prevent cancer onset. This is potentially powerful for those of us with a family history with cancer.
It makes sense. Cells need nutrients for the cell cycle, similar to the way computers need RAM to execute programs.
Fasting not only deprives cancer cells of nutrients, but also triggers a homeostatic response in the entire body. This response includes putting its garbage collection system (autophagy) into overdrive mode so that it can reclaim the limited resources it has left to survive. Fasting is a reductive treatment, like purging oxygen from a server room on fire. It might help slow it down, but it can take healthy inhabitants along with it.
Additive treatments offer more options. If you catch the fire early and it’s contained (non-metastatic), you can target it with a fire blanket (surgery, stem cell transplantation) or a fire extinguisher (small molecules, biologics, peptides, gene therapy, etc.) to put it out. The sprinklers are a last ditch effort for larger fires (chemotherapy, radiation), which could save the building, but result in significant collateral damage.
It makes sense. Cells need nutrients for the cell cycle, similar to the way computers need RAM to execute programs.
Fasting not only deprives cancer cells of nutrients, but also triggers a homeostatic response in the entire body. This response includes putting its garbage collection system (autophagy) into overdrive mode so that it can reclaim the limited resources it has left to survive. Fasting is a reductive treatment, like purging oxygen from a server room on fire. It might help slow it down, but it can take healthy inhabitants along with it.
Additive treatments offer more options. If you catch the fire early and it’s contained (non-metastatic), you can target it with a fire blanket (surgery, stem cell transplantation) or a fire extinguisher (small molecules, biologics, peptides, gene therapy, etc.) to put it out. The sprinklers are a last ditch effort for larger fires (chemotherapy, radiation), which could save the building, but result in significant collateral damage.