Chemo and fasting

Romsmom

saw a very recent video on amazon prime called Science of fasting. Very interesting and thinking about doing this. Thoughts from the community?

As of this post, I still need to have complete axillary dissection before I start chemo.

MrsFry

I have read several things about this, and I am also quite interested and thinking about giving it a try. I plan to bring it up to my onc at my next appointment and see what he says about it.

There is limited information on the subject though, so even after searching all over the internet, I still don't entirely understand how you are supposed to do it...24hr fast? 48hr fast? Fast before chemo only or before and after?

I hope this thread gets more responses, because the more info we can gather the better!

IntegraGirl

google "Valter Longo fasting chemotherapy" and you should find links to his studies from USC. I did the 48 hour fast prior/24 hour fast after chemo for all 8 rounds and with the exception of hair loss and fatigue near the end, my SEs were nominal and my blood counts remained in the normal range.

IntegraGirl

https://news.usc.edu/103972/fasting-like-diet-turns-the-immune-system-against-cancer/

Romsmom

Yes, Valter Longo is in the Science of Fasting documentary I saw. There was a patient that was diagnosed with breast cancer in the documentary and she fasted with very positive results. I don't have a date for starting chemo yet still waiting to have the complete axillary dissection. However, I am planning on doing just a water fast the five days prior to my chemo sessions. I'll post more here as know more.

Anonymous

I fasted (black coffee only) 2 1/2 days before chemo started and 24 hours after chemo ended with good results. I recommend keeping track of your weight to make sure you don't lose too much. Also be mindful of the foods to break your fast (no pizza!).

There are a few threads on fasting during chemo. Here's one:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics...

ShetlandPony

I was too hungry during Taxol chemo to even consider fasting, and it would have been bad for me to lose weight. Still, I got a complete metabolic response. Just sayin. However, I do now try to skip the bedtime snack and do the 13-hour overnight fast. I'm currently on the pill chemo Xeloda and have had a great response so far.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/fasting-not-eating-13-...