Eat 'This Way' to Fight Breast Cancer

A study has found that a plant-based diet improves the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

A research team from the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Wilmot Cancer Institute in the United States analyzed 30 stage 4 breast cancer patients.

Participants were randomly assigned to a plant-based diet or a control group for eight weeks.

A plant-based diet consists of ▲fruits ▲vegetables ▲whole grains ▲beans ▲potatoes ▲nuts ▲seeds.

The plant-based diet group did not consume animal products such as meat, eggs, dairy products, oil, or solid fats.

 

The women ate as much food as they wanted without any calorie restrictions.

 

The analysis found that people who ate a plant-based diet lost an average of 0.5 to 1 kg per week without exercise.

After eight weeks, the average body weight was reduced by 6.6%. The plant-based diet group also had reduced cholesterol and insulin resistance.

They felt less fatigued and their mental health improved compared to the control group.

The research team analyzed the participants' blood.

Those on a plant-based diet had changes in their blood amino acid levels, which are nutrients that cancer cells rely on for survival.

 

A plant-based diet reduces inflammation in the body and is rich in nutrients such as dietary fiber and minerals, which can help with weight loss.

There is also an effect of changing dietary intake. The plant-based diet group consumed 25.9% fewer calories than the control group.

Fat and dietary cholesterol intake were reduced by 43% and 96.5%, respectively.

 

Dr. Isaac Harris, who led the study, said, “Breast cancer patients often gain weight during treatment, and weight gain affects blood insulin levels and sex hormones, which is not good for the cancer prognosis.” He added, “We need to try to improve the prognosis by practicing a plant-based diet.”