Long-Term Effects of a Ketogenic Diet for Cancer.

A ketogenic diet has been proposed as a potential supportive therapy for cancer patients, although its long-term influence on survival rates remain controversial. In our previous report, we presented promising results for 37 of 55 patients with advanced cancer enrolled between 2013 and 2018 who remained on a ketogenic diet for at least 3 months. We followed all 55 patients until March 2023 and analyzed the data up to March 2022. For the 37 patients with previously reported promising results, the median follow-up period was 25 (range of 3-104) months and 28 patients died. The median overall survival (OS) in this subset of 37 patients was 25.1 months and the 5-year survival rate was 23.9%. We also evaluated the association between the duration of the ketogenic diet and outcome in all 55 patients, except for 2 patients with insufficient data. The patients were divided into two groups: those who followed the diet for ≥12 months (n = 21) and those who followed it for <12 months (n = 32). The median duration of the ketogenic diet was 37 (range of 12-99) months for the ≥12 months group and 3 (range of 0-11) months for the <12 months group. During the follow-up period, 41 patients died (10/21 in the ≥12 months group and 31/32 in the <12 months group). The median OS was 19.9 months (55.1 months in the ≥12 months group and 12 months in the <12 months group). Following the inverse probability of treatment weighting to align the background factors of the two groups and make them comparable, the adjusted log-rank test showed a significantly better OS rate in the group that continued the ketogenic diet for a longer period (p < 0.001, adjusted log-rank test). These results indicate that a longer continuation of the ketogenic diet improved the prognosis of advanced cancer patients.

Investigation of dose-dependent effects of fat on blood glucose, serum insulin, and appetite sensation.

Humans have a high preference for fat, and its excessive intake leads to obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dose-dependent fat intake on biological responses and postprandial appetite sensation in healthy adult subjects. Age and body mass index were 29 ± 1 years and 21.1 ± 0.4 kg/m2, respectively. We conducted a randomized, crossover trial and measured laboratory data and appetite sensation via the visual analog scale. Each participant was provided with four different test meals. They consisted of common, basic foods and contained 75 g liquid glucose and 4 slices of crackers to which 0 g butter (control), 10 g butter (B10), 20 g butter (B20), and 40 g butter (B40) were added, respectively. The results indicated that single ingestion of butter did not influence laboratory values of glucose, insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), total bile acids, or high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP). Regarding postprandial appetite sensation, appetite ratings for fullness were the highest after the B40 meal (p < 0.05);however, satisfaction ratings were not significantly different after the ingestion of this meal. Ratings were significantly different after the B20 meal. In conclusion, healthy adult subjects experienced fullness and satisfaction after ingesting 20-40 g of butter. J. Med. Invest. 65:203-207, August, 2018.

[Key treatment of lifestyle-related diseases:nutritional education and practice].

In modern times, calcium and vegetable intake is known to be generally insufficient in the population. In addition, many patients increasingly have lifestyle-related diseases, such as obesity, and they require lifestyle modification to increase their energy consumption compared to their energy intake. Therefore, it is important for these patients to continue weight loss and to improve their dietary habits. The overall energy density (ED) of one's diet decreases by eating more vegetables and fruits. Moreover, higher vegetable intake contributes to an improvement in lifestyle as well as improves the calcium intake. In this article, we show that sufficient vegetable intake provides satiety and satisfaction.

Diagnosis by needle biopsy of tuberculoma that mimics lung cancer.

Two patients with subacute symptoms and signs compatible with lung cancer presented with focal opacities on chest radiographs. In both patients, tissue examinations showed typical histological changes associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Antituberculosis therapy led to clinical and radiological resolution. Tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with clinical and radiological features of lung cancer.