A diet rich in 'this' can prevent blood cancer?

A diet rich in 'this' can prevent blood cancer?

 

The first clinical trial results suggest that a plant-based fiber diet may delay the progression of multiple myeloma, a rare, incurable blood cancer. Medical Express, a medical news outlet, reported on the 8th (local time) based on research results from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) presented at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Diego.

 

The researchers conducted a small clinical trial with 20 patients with elevated body mass index (BMI) and at risk for precancerous blood disorders and multiple myeloma. They followed a high-fiber, plant-based diet for 12 weeks, followed by 24 weeks of education and guidance.

Two participants with ongoing multiple myeloma prior to the clinical trial demonstrated significant improvement in their disease progression trajectories. Furthermore, one year after enrollment, none of the participants had progressed to multiple myeloma.

 

"This study demonstrates the power of nutrition, particularly a high-fiber, plant-based diet," said Dr. Urvi Shah, a myeloma specialist at MSK who presented the study. "It provides a better understanding of how we can improve our microbiome and metabolism to build a stronger immune system." He added, "These findings support the idea that people with precancerous conditions can reduce their cancer risk through dietary changes."

 

Multiple myeloma, along with lymphoma and leukemia, is considered one of the three most common blood cancers. It develops from the abnormal proliferation of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies in the bone marrow. It destroys bone tissue, often causing pain in the lower back and ribs and leading to compression fractures.

 

Multiple myeloma has several precursor symptoms. Representative examples include monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), characterized by an abnormal increase in the monoclonal immunoglobulin protein (M protein), and latent (asymptomatic) myeloma.

 

Recent studies have shown that a poor diet and reduced intake of plant-based foods increase the risk of multiple myeloma. Furthermore, individuals with prodromal symptoms and an elevated BMI were twice as likely to develop multiple myeloma as those with prodromal symptoms but a normal BMI.

 

Based on this, the research team has been exploring ways to intervene before prodromal symptoms progress to cancer. During the study, participants were encouraged to eat as much plant-based foods as they wanted, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes.

These dietary changes significantly improved quality of life, insulin resistance, gut microbiome health, and inflammation. Participants lost an average of 8% of their body weight after 12 weeks. Based on these positive results, the researchers are preparing a large-scale clinical trial involving 150 participants.

 

Animal studies conducted prior to clinical trials also yielded positive results. All mice with latent myelopathy fed a standard diet developed multiple myeloma, while 44% of mice on a high-fiber diet did not develop the disease.

 

 

 

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After a plant-based fiber diet

Quality of life, insulin resistance, and the gut microbiome

Health and inflammation are said to have improved significantly.

 

Plant-based fiber: fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes