The ketogenic diet is getting some attention these days. It calls for lots of fats, not a lot of carbohydrates, and a mild amount of protein. A typical ketogenic meal would include some sort of lean protein like chicken, added healthy fats like avocado or olive oil, and some vegetables for nutrients, according to Cleveland Clinic dietician Krista Maruschak.
There are currently studies underway looking at whether this type of diet can slow the growth of fast-moving brain tumors called glioblastomas.
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“That type of cancer in particular has a hard time running off of the byproducts of fat metabolism so the theory is that if you have a ketogenic diet … it may slow the growth of the brain tumor,” Maruschak says. The studies on this topic are not yet conclusive, but for those suffering from glioblastomas, it’s worth a discussion with your doctor.
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