CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Could you cure cancer by fasting? Several posts on social media claim that fasting can eliminate cancer cells.
Several videos on TikTok suggest that fasting can help kill cancer cells.
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Fasting is when you don't eat food for several hours at a time. Some fasting can be a few days or just a few hours a day.
Cedars-Sinai suggests the difference between cancer and normal cells is in metabolism.
Cancer cells have a higher glucose uptake than healthy cells, meaning if you limit glucose coming into the body for several hours or days, healthy cells can switch to alternative fuel sources, while cancer cells don't have the ability to make the same switch, and essentially, they starve.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine said although intermittent fasting had an impact on cancer cells, more research needs to be done.
"We just don't know what the best diet is," Misra said.
Misra said fasting is not a cure-all for cancer and can be hard to stick to. She said fasting for patients who are on chemotherapy might not be the best idea because the treatment already creates fatigue. She also pointed out possible side effects: Hypoglycemia, hypertension, and fatigue.
Overall, a healthy diet and exercise could be more important.
"Any diet that helps reduce weight can have benefits," Misra said.
Misra suggests a healthy diet and limiting tobacco, alcohol, and processed foods.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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