Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2012 Nov;137(47):2417-22.
[How useful are diets against cancer?].
[Article in German]
Hübner J, Marienfeld S, Abbenhardt C, Ulrich CM, Löser C.
Source
Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT), Johann Wolfgang
Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main. Huebner@med.uni-frankfurt.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Diets against cancer are attractive for patients who try to influence disease
progression.
METHODS:
In order to determine the most influential cancer diets in Germany, we analyzed
the chatroom for cancer patients "Krebs-Kompass", the search machines Google and
Bing and our own counseling experience as experts. We conducted a systematic
literature review of clinical data in Medline also considering preclinical data
on safety.
RESULTS:
The most often mentioned "cancer diets" are Budwig diet, Gerson's regimen,
lowcarb diet, cancer cure of Breuß and macrobiotic diet. These diets can be
classified according to the principle idea of carcinogenesis as follows: cancer
as a lack or abundance of a substance or as a consequence of pathological
metabolism of cancer cells. Staying in line with a specific diet the patients
are thought to be able to cure themselves or at least substantially contribute
to cure. However, we did not find any scientific publication of a clinical study
which describes positive results regarding survival. On the contrary, data show
malnutrition and side effects.
CONCLUSION:
There is no indication to consume a "cancer diet". In some cases adverse effects
can occur. Cancer patients who are discussing nutrition should be warned about
taking up a "cancer diet".
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
PMID: 23152069 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]