Ketogenic diet to treat prostate cancer?

Since May, two publications (one here) have discussed the potential value of a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet in certain men with prostate cancer.

An abstract presented during the American Urological Association meeting states that obese men tend to have a higher incidence of aggressive prostate cancer and lower levels of the enzyme that controls the rate of ketone production in the body. Lower levels of this enzyme (3-hydroxymethyl glutaryl CoA synthase) lead to lower ketone levels.

Following a ketogenic diet, which would increase ketone levels, might offer a chemoprevention or treatment strategy for obese prostate cancer patients.

No recommendation is implied at this time. Many details remain to be worked out.

7/25/06 23:19 JR