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The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and very low-carbohydrate diet. The drastic reduction in carbohydrate intake aims to shift the body’s metabolism from relying primarily on glucose (sugar) for energy to using ketone bodies produced from fat metabolism.
Many cancer cells predominantly rely on glucose for energy—a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. By reducing carbohydrate intake, the KD lowers blood glucose levels, which theoretically could "starve" cancer cells of their preferred energy source.
-Lowering carbohydrate intake reduces insulin levels, which may indirectly decrease insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling—a pathway that can promote tumor growth in some cancers.
- MCT oil is rapidly metabolized in the liver to produce ketone bodies, making it a common component of ketogenic diets.