Studies done recently at University of Southern California have shown that short-term fasting actually makes brain tumor cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and also protects the healthy cells from being destroyed during the treatment.
This study has shown that short periods of fasting have the same effect with radiation therapy as well as chemotherapy. It is known to treat gliomas, which are the most commonly diagnosed brain tumors. The known survival time for a glioma patient is less than two years.
Conductor of this study, Professor Valter Longo, says that he is looking for a way to protect patients against toxicity. He asks himself questions such as "what are the conditions that make cancer most susceptible to treatment? How can we replicate the conditions that are least hospitable to cancer?"
Temozolomide is the drug being used for this process; it is also the chemotherapy drug that is given to most adults with a brain tumor.
Professor Longo advises that any patients who wish to fast before their treatments should first consult their oncologist. He explains, "You want to balance the risks. You have to do it right. But if the conditions are such that you've run out of options, short-term fasting may represent an important possibility for patients."
I was unsure how to take this article, however interesting it was. It does not seem logical that fasting for a short amount of time could have that affect on brain tumor cells. However, I am no expert and I have done no trials regarding the subject. If you wish to read more, click here: Fasting Makes Brain Tumors More v l