Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Is it possible to "cheat" cancer with a "smart plate"? Leading oncologists worldwide are concluding that what we eat directly impacts how cancer develops and how effective treatment is.
Scientists from the P.I. Herzen Moscow Cancer Research Institute (a branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology) and RUDN University conducted a large-scale study. An article summarizing the data on how diet influences cancer at the molecular level was published in the international scientific journal Foods (Q1). One of the study's authors is Andrey Dmitrievich Kaprin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the V.P. Kharchenko Department of Oncology and Roentgenology at RUDN University, Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Director General of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
Diet as a medicine
Scientists have long known that obesity and poor diet increase the risk of cancer. However, the work led by Professor Kaprin goes further. The researchers have discovered how exactly dietary components interfere with the "broken" mechanisms of cancer cells.
The focus is on four key processes: chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin signaling pathways, and the cell's ability to self-destruct (apoptosis).
Inflammation. Tumors use inflammation as fuel for growth. Fatty foods and refined carbohydrates (sweets, baked goods) act as a match in this fire. However, omega-3 fatty acids (fish, flaxseed oil) have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Oxidative stress. This is a process in which free radicals damage cellular DNA, causing mutations. Antioxidants (vitamins C, E, polyphenols), which are abundant in fruits and vegetables, neutralize these radicals. Insulin and IGF-1. High blood sugar stimulates the production of insulin and growth factor (IGF-1), which, in turn, "command" cells to divide. For cancer cells, this is a signal for aggressive growth.
How does a smart dish work?
Professor Andrei Kaprin and his colleagues concluded that there is no universal cancer diet. However, there are strategies that work depending on the tumor type and the patient's condition.
Fasting as a stressor for tumors. Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting target cancer's most vulnerable point—its hunger. Tumors require a lot of glucose. When the body switches to energy-saving mode, glucose and insulin levels drop, depriving the cancer cell of its fuel.
"We see enormous potential in calorie restriction strategies. Short-term fasting not only slows tumor growth but also makes it more sensitive to chemotherapy. Healthy cells, on the other hand, enter a 'standby mode' and tolerate aggressive treatment better. This is called differential stress," says Andrey Kaprin.
The Keto Diet: Deprive Cancer of Sugar. The ketogenic diet (very low in carbohydrates and high in fat) forces the body to produce ketone bodies. Most cancer cells cannot metabolize them—they crave sugar.
"The ketogenic diet acts as a metabolic reset. We create an environment in which normal cells thrive while malignant cells starve. However, it should be prescribed with caution and only under a doctor's supervision, as the effect may depend on the specific type of cancer," says Andrey Kaprin.
The Mediterranean Diet: Balance and Longevity. Unlike strict keto diets, the Mediterranean diet (rich in greens, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and whole grains) works gently but systematically. It reduces chronic inflammation, which drives cancer, and normalizes blood sugar levels.
"This diet is the gold standard of prevention. It works not in a single stroke, but in a comprehensive manner: it reduces oxidative stress, restores the gut microbiome, and blocks the signals that cause cancer growth," says Andrey Kaprin.
Gut microbiota: a dictator of health. Recent years have revealed the influence of the gut microbiome on the effectiveness of immunotherapy. It turns out that the effectiveness of the latest cancer drug depends on the bacteria living in the gut.
"The gut microbiota is like our internal conductor. A high-fiber plant diet promotes the growth of 'good' bacteria, which produce short-chain fatty acids. These substances help the immune system find and destroy cancer cells. Without the right diet, even the most expensive treatment can be useless," says Andrey Kaprin.
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