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Diet

Ketogenic diet

A very-low-carbohydrate, high-fat pattern studied as a metabolic adjunct in cancer.

Educational only. This page reports what published guidelines and studies describe. It is not medical advice and is not a claim that ketogenic diet treats, prevents, or cures cancer. Decisions are yours and your care team's.

What the studies report: a cited, human-reviewed summary, kept current as the evidence changes and retracted findings are removed.

Reviewed Jun 2026 · OncoForge editorial · How we review →

Evidence at a glanceNo graded study evidence yet
40 human clinical studies in the Ketogenic diet corpus324 source documents in the Ketogenic diet corpus

last checked June 9, 2026

Ask about Ketogenic diet

Answers come only from the cited sources on this page — with the supporting evidence shown. If the sources here don't cover your question, it will say so. Educational information, not medical advice.

Key points

  • Overview: The ketogenic diet is described in the sources as a high-fat, low-carbohydrate dietary pattern that induces ketosis or raises ketone bodies. Across cancer settings, the evidence is limited, small, heterogeneous, and inconsistent, and no single cancer-wide conclusion is reported.

6 sections — tap any heading to expand its cited detail. Key points are above.

OverviewThe ketogenic diet is described in the sources as a high-fat, low-carbohydrate dietary pattern that induces ketosis or raises ketone bodies. Across cancer settings, the evidence is limited, small, heterogeneous, and inconsistent, and no single cancer-wide conclusion is reported.37 points
  • The ketogenic diet is described in the sources as a high-fat, low-carbohydrate dietary pattern studied in cancer across prevention, treatment, and survivorship contexts. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]28 sources
  • The sources discuss ketogenic diets in cancer mainly as a metabolic strategy studied in glioblastoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and broader cancer reviews. [29][30][31][32][33][34]6 sources
  • The sources include studies of ketogenic diets in cancer survivors, glioma, liver cancer, and cancer-related biomarkers. [35][36][37][38][39]5 sources
  • The sources include clinical cancer studies of ketogenic diets used alongside surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy, and reviews reporting outcomes such as body composition and quality of life. [4][6][8][40][5]5 sources
  • The sources describe ketogenic or very-low-carbohydrate diets as being studied in advanced cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer models, and hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy settings. [41][42][43][44][45]5 sources
  • The sources describe ketogenic diet research in cancer across prevention, tumor growth, and cancer-survivor use contexts. [46][47][48][49][50]5 sources
  • One source describes ketogenic diets as reprogramming energy metabolism from glucose to ketone bodies, including acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, and another reports elevated circulating β-hydroxybutyrate with ketogenic diet feeding. [51][52][53][54][55]5 sources
  • The sources discuss ketogenic diet research in cancer mainly in glioma and hepatocellular carcinoma, with additional discussion of broader cancer treatment contexts. [26][27][56][28][57]5 sources
  • The sources report that ketogenic diets have been studied in cancer across several settings, including during chemotherapy, during radiotherapy, and in breast, pancreatic, rectal, head and neck, and prostate cancer contexts. [9][58][59][11]4 sources
  • The cancer evidence in the provided sources includes controlled clinical trials, glioma studies, and a prospective cohort meta-analysis of low-carbohydrate dietary patterns and cancer mortality. [60][61][62]3 sources
  • The sources discuss ketogenic diet-related research in colorectal cancer, brain tumors, and cancer-associated cachexia. [63][64][65]3 sources
  • The sources state that ketogenic diets were originally developed for intractable epilepsy and are also discussed as a weight-loss pattern and as a cancer-related research topic. [20][21][22]3 sources
  • The cancer-focused sources discuss ketogenic diets in relation to tumor metabolism, immunotherapy outcomes, and ketone-body biology, and one source describes ketogenic diets as an adjunct strategy rather than a standard treatment. [66][21][22]3 sources
  • In cancer-related reviews, the ketogenic diet is discussed as an area of research for possible effects on tumor biology, immunotherapy response, and interactions with standard cancer treatments. [67][24][23]3 sources
  • The sources also note that evidence remains uncertain and that more thorough testing or larger studies are needed before broad application in patients. [67][24][23]3 sources
  • The cancer-focused sources include randomized and non-randomized studies in people with several cancer types, including breast cancer, glioblastoma or gliosarcoma, ovarian or endometrial cancer, pancreatic biliary cancer, rectal cancer, colorectal cancer, and mixed cancer groups. [1][68]
  • The cancer meta-analyses report that study durations ranged from 6 days to 24 weeks in one review and from 4 to 16 weeks in another review. [1][68]
  • Ketogenic diets are described in the sources as high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets, and several different ketogenic diet types were used in the cancer studies, including classic ketogenic diet, modified Atkins diet, medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet, and modified ketogenic diet. [61][60]
  • The sources describe ketogenic diet studies in cancer as mostly small and heterogeneous, with evidence that is limited for many outcomes. [69][70]
  • The sources describe the ketogenic diet as a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, and one source discusses ketone bodies including β-hydroxybutyrate in the context of ketogenic therapy. [71][72]
  • The 2025 EASO position statement says evidence on ketogenic diet use in cancer is limited and inconsistent. [73]
  • The 2026 systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses describes the ketogenic diet as a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that induces ketosis. [74]
  • The 2022 glioblastoma guideline says ketogenic diet is not suggested as a stand-alone therapy for adult patients with progressive glioblastoma. [75]
  • One review focused on malignant glioma described ketogenic metabolic therapy as a nutritional intervention using ketogenic or low-glycemic diets. [76]
  • A 2026 preliminary randomized trial in gynecologic malignancies studied a modified Atkins-style ketogenic diet during radiotherapy. [77]
  • The sources describe the ketogenic diet as a dietary pattern that lowers carbohydrate intake and shifts the body toward ketone production. [33]
  • The sources state that ketogenic diets are not integrated into standard glioblastoma guidelines. [34]
  • The breast cancer review says ketogenic diets are being discussed as part of precision nutrition, but clinical translation is still at an early stage. [31]
  • In cancer-related literature, one review states that ketogenic diet interventions have been studied in breast cancer care and are discussed as part of medical nutrition therapy. [78]
  • Another review states that dietary interventions including the ketogenic diet have been discussed as potential adjuvant therapies in cancer and other immune-related conditions. [79]
  • The sources describe ketogenic diets as high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets that increase ketone body production, including beta-hydroxybutyrate, through increased fatty acid oxidation. [63]
  • The 2026 scoping review found limited evidence for ketogenic diet interventions in advanced cancer and stated that evidence was insufficient for definitive recommendations. [41]
  • In an Irish survey of cancer survivors, 15.5% of respondents who reported using biologically based complementary and alternative medicine said they had used a ketogenic diet. [49]
  • A 2025 review discussed ketogenic diets among chrononutrition approaches for obesity-related cancers and stated that future research should focus on integrating chrononutritional strategies into clinical practice. [80]
Show 3 lab & early-research findings
  • The sources discuss ketogenic diets in cancer across preclinical studies and some clinical or translational contexts, but the evidence base is mixed by cancer type and setting. [53][51][81][55][52]5 sources
  • Among the provided sources, there is detailed evidence for colorectal cancer in a mouse model and a systematic review of pediatric brain tumors, along with broader review-level discussion of chemotherapy toxicities and cancer cachexia. [82][15][14][17]4 sources
  • The sources describe ketogenic diet research in cancer as relying largely on preclinical studies and small clinical studies, with discussion including glioblastoma, breast and ovarian cancers, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and neuroendocrine neoplasms. [83][84][85]3 sources
What studies reportStudies of ketogenic diets in cancer report mixed findings across cancer types and study designs, with many reviews describing feasibility, changes in weight or metabolic markers, and inconsistent clinical outcome data. Evidence is strongest in small trials and preclinical models, while several reviews note heterogeneity, limited sample sizes, or insufficient data for firm conclusions.143 points
  • Contradiction: the pancreatic mouse study reports worse pancreatic outcomes with ketogenic diet, whereas the thyroid, AML, and colorectal cancer reviews report tumor-suppressive or therapy-potentiating findings in other models. [53][54][55][52]
    ⚠ Contradicting evidence: Preclinical findings conflict across cancer models: one pancreatic mouse study reported worse outcomes, while other model systems reported tumor-suppressive or therapy-potentiating effects. (the more authoritative source is [53]).
    4 sources
  • In glioblastoma, the ketogenic diet is described as having been investigated as an adjunctive therapy. [86][87]
  • The cancer-supplement review and the glioma review differ in tone, with one stating no substantial benefit in clinical studies and the other saying the ketogenic diet might play a role in glioma management. [88][87]
  • Across cancer types, the 2026 review reports that ketogenic diet was associated with reductions in body weight and fat mass in several randomized controlled trials. [74]
  • The same 2026 review reports that ketogenic diet may reduce triglycerides, IGF-1, and glucose and may improve emotional well-being, body composition, and overall quality of life. [74]
  • The 2026 review reports that ketogenic diet did not show better improvements than control diets for cholesterol, insulin, C-reactive protein, or liver and kidney function. [74]
  • For glioma, the 2026 review reports that clinical data were insufficient for firm conclusions, although some studies suggested possible effects on survival, progression-free survival, and quality of life. [74]
  • For breast cancer, the 2026 review reports that some reviews found improved body composition, quality of life, inflammatory biomarkers, insulin resistance, and tumor size, while other reviews found no evidence of lower morbidity or mortality. [74]
  • For ovarian cancer, the 2026 review reports lower total and abdominal fat, improved physical function, and reduced cravings in the ketogenic diet groups, but also says the evidence was heterogeneous and larger randomized trials with survival endpoints are needed. [74]
  • In glioblastoma clinical trials, the 2025 systematic review found that the studies were small and mostly prospective, open-label, non-controlled trials. [89]
  • In glioblastoma, the 2025 systematic review found that the ketogenic metabolic therapy literature included reports of feasibility, retention, quality of life, survival, and adverse events, but the review was designed to assess overall survival and progression-free survival. [89]
  • The 2025 chemotherapy review says dietary interventions in seven studies used either ketogenic diets or fasting-mimicking diets, and three studies showed significant increases in tumor response and survival outcomes. [90]
  • The 2025 chemotherapy review also says the evidence for ketogenic and fasting-mimicking diets during chemotherapy was limited and inconsistent. [90]
  • The 2025 immunotherapy microbiome review lists ketogenic diet among dietary patterns associated with favorable outcomes in some studies, but it says the mechanistic relations remain unclear. [91]
  • In the immunotherapy microbiome review, ketogenic diet was one of the dietary interventions reported in mouse studies, including a melanoma study that measured tumor size growth. [91]
  • In a 2024 systematic review of randomized trials in adult cancer survivors, ketogenic diet interventions could not improve cognitive function. [35]
  • In the same review, anti-inflammatory diets, fasting-mimicking diets, and web-based diets were reported to significantly improve cognitive function, while the ketogenic diet was not. [35]
  • A Mendelian randomization study reported that higher circulating 3-hydroxybutyrate levels were associated with lower risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, biliary malignancies, hepatocellular carcinoma, and primary lymphoid and hematopoietic malignancies. [39]
  • In a systematic review of glioma adjuncts, ketogenic diet use was associated with the highest median overall survival among newly diagnosed cases, but the review found no statistically significant difference in overall survival or progression-free survival. [37]
  • In controlled clinical trials in cancer patients, ketogenic diets were associated with lower body weight, BMI, fat mass, glucose, IGF-1, and triglyceride levels compared with standard diets. [60]
  • In glioma studies, the review reports that overall survival varied across studies and that some studies described disease stabilization during ketogenic diet use. [61]
  • In the glioma review, one study reported a median overall survival of 32 weeks after starting the ketogenic diet, and another reported an average overall survival of 14 months. [61]
  • In a Cochrane review of adults treated with cranial irradiation, a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet study found no effect on cognitive outcomes, although the authors noted that lower-than-expected calorie intake in the control group complicated interpretation. [40]
  • A 2020 systematic review of clinical oncology studies reported beneficial effects of ketogenic diets on overall survival or progression-free survival in four studies, including one randomized controlled trial. [8]
  • The same 2020 review reported that studies of body composition found beneficial effects of ketogenic diets in both overweight and frail patient populations. [8]
  • In adult oncology patients, a 2018 systematic review found inconclusive evidence for nutritional status and adverse events, mixed results for blood parameters, tumor effects, and quality of life, and low adherence to the diet. [69]
  • A 2017 systematic review of isocaloric ketogenic regimens reported that evidence for effects on tumor development, tumor progression, and reduction in side effects of cancer therapy was missing. [70]
  • The malignant glioma review reported that clinical literature indicated safety and feasibility, and that two clinical studies suggested anti-neoplastic activity and clinical benefit. [76]
  • The 2026 gynecologic radiotherapy trial reported no statistically significant difference between ketogenic and standard diet groups for overall gastrointestinal toxicities, diarrhea, nausea, or weight loss. [77]
  • In the same 2026 trial, diet interruption occurred in 46.1% of the ketogenic group and 25.0% of the standard diet group, with p = 0.21. [77]
  • In a randomized phase II trial in treatment-naïve metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a medically supervised ketogenic diet was studied alongside gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and cisplatin. [9]
  • The pancreatic cancer source reports that 15 of 16 patients in the medically supervised ketogenic diet arm achieved nutritional ketosis at any point during the study, and an exploratory analysis using a lower beta-hydroxybutyrate cutoff found ketosis in all 16 patients. [9]
  • The pancreatic cancer source reports no significant difference in treatment duration between the ketogenic-diet arm and the usual-diet arm. [9]
  • The pancreatic cancer source reports grade 1 to 2 ketogenic-diet-related adverse events such as fatigue, constipation, weight loss, decreased appetite, dehydration, dizziness, nausea, and body ache, and none of the patients stopped the diet because of adverse events. [9]
  • The pancreatic cancer source reports no unexpected chemotherapy-related adverse events and no treatment-related deaths on study. [9]
  • In the breast cancer randomized trial, the ketogenic-diet group had lower adjusted serum insulin than the control group and a reduction in tumor size, while no significant differences in response rate were observed in patients with metastatic disease. [58]
  • In the KETOCOMP post-hoc analysis, no significant differences in overall survival, progression-free survival, or locoregional recurrence-free survival were detected between ketogenic-diet and standard-diet groups during radio(chemo)therapy in rectal and head and neck cancer. [59]
  • The KETOCOMP analysis reports that acute skin toxicity was less severe in head and neck cancer patients on a ketogenic diet in intention-to-treat analysis, while other acute toxicities were not significantly different. [59]
  • The prostate cancer review states that current evidence is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions about ketogenic-diet interventions in prostate cancer. [11]
  • The prostate cancer review says that ketogenic-diet studies in cancer have generally shown heterogeneous exploratory results rather than consistent effects on tumor regression or survival. [11]
  • The glioblastoma meta-analysis reports longer median progression-free survival and overall survival in adherent cohorts than historical comparators, but these data come from small and heterogeneous studies. [34]
  • The glioblastoma meta-analysis reports that a phase I/II trial found robust feasibility with more than 79% compliance and more than 50% ketosis days alongside standard Stupp therapy. [34]
  • The glioblastoma meta-analysis reports that a randomized trial of a short calorie-restricted ketogenic diet in recurrent glioblastoma noted temporary muscle cramps, gastrointestinal discomfort, and headaches. [34]
  • The lung cancer review says ketogenic diets may reduce glucose availability and alter energy metabolism in cancer cells, but it presents this as a possible management strategy rather than established clinical benefit. [33]
  • The glioblastoma microbiome review says clinical results in GBM have been inconsistent because of small trials, low adherence, and variability in study designs. [30]
  • The immunotherapy microbiome review says no published results were found combining ketogenic dietary interventions with immunotherapy in the reviewed clinical trials. [32]
  • In the breast cancer review, ketogenic diet interventions are reported as showing potential to reduce weight, improve metabolic health, modulate the gut microbiome, and influence inflammatory and hormonal signaling. [78]
  • The same breast cancer review states that short-term outcomes are promising, but long-term studies are required to confirm effects on breast cancer survival and recurrence. [78]
  • The immunity review states that the effects of dietary interventions including the ketogenic diet on the immune system and their mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. [79]
  • The Parkinson's disease review states that ketogenic diet and stem cell therapy have each been reported to reduce motor symptoms independently, but it also says the proposed combination lacks direct clinical evidence in Parkinson's disease populations. [92]
  • In brain tumor studies, the ketogenic diet literature was small and heterogeneous, and the scoping review reported six studies with positive quality-of-life effects, three with no statistical significance, and one with a negative effect. [64]
  • The brain tumor scoping review states that the available ketogenic diet studies were limited by small sample sizes, methodological heterogeneity, and limited use of standardized quality-of-life tools. [64]
  • In colorectal cancer, the review states that some colorectal cancer cells can use beta-hydroxybutyrate as an alternative energy source, which the authors describe as a reason ketogenic diets may fail as a therapeutic strategy in colorectal cancer. [63]
  • The review describes beta-hydroxybutyrate as having a dual role in colorectal cancer, with potential therapeutic benefits but also evidence that it may facilitate CRC progression as an alternative energy source. [63]
  • The cachexia review states that cancer-associated cachexia is linked to skeletal muscle loss, inflammation, insulin resistance, and reduced outcomes, and it discusses beta-hydroxybutyrate as a potential nutritional strategy in that context. [65]
  • In the advanced-cancer scoping review, studies of ketogenic diet interventions reported outcomes including anthropometry, biological markers, feasibility, performance status, quality of life, survival, and treatment tolerability. [41]
  • The advanced-cancer scoping review reported that some ketogenic diet studies had positive outcomes, but the overall evidence was insufficient for definitive recommendations. [41]
  • In a randomized feasibility study in women with overweight or obesity and endometrial cancer, a very-low-carbohydrate diet was feasible, with 91% ± 4% of meals consumed and 15 of 19 participants completing the study. [42]
  • In that endometrial cancer feasibility study, the very-low-carbohydrate diet was associated with 5.5% ± 0.8% weight loss, lower fasting glucose and insulin, and higher total cholesterol and LDL. [42]
  • In the endometrial cancer feasibility study, no grade 3/4 adverse events were reported. [42]
  • In the endometrial cancer feasibility study, exploratory tumor analyses reported enrichment of CD8+ T cells at the tumor margins. [42]
  • In those breast cancer cell models, MCF-7 cells showed a broad pattern-level metabolic shift with 75% of detected metabolites trending upward after β-hydroxybutyrate was added to glucose-restricted cultures, while T47D cells showed essentially no global metabolic response. [43]
  • In a hepatocellular carcinoma multiomics analysis, higher OXCT1 expression was negatively correlated with immune checkpoint blockade efficacy, while β-hydroxybutyrate showed the opposite association. [44]
  • A review of mouse tumor models reported that β-hydroxybutyrate suppressed tumor growth by increasing the accumulation, survival, and effector function of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. [46]
  • The same review reported that acetoacetate did not show comparable immunomodulatory effects. [46]
  • In the same pancreatic cancer study, mice on the ketogenic diet had lower circulating glucose and higher circulating β-hydroxybutyrate than controls. [50]
  • In the same pancreatic cancer study, ketogenic-diet-fed mice had higher intratumoral glutamine, glutamate, aspartate, ketone bodies, and TCA cycle metabolites than controls. [50]
  • In the same pancreatic cancer study, tumors from ketogenic-diet-fed mice showed increased glutamine uptake and increased expression of glutamine transport and metabolism genes. [50]
  • In that gastric cancer study, the association between simplified ketogenic ratio and gastric cancer risk was more pronounced among overweight or obese participants carrying ADIPOQ rs1501299 G/T or T/T genotypes. [48]
  • The pancreatic review also states that ketogenic diet effects in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are context-dependent and that the preventive potential remains uncertain. [53]
  • The glioblastoma review reports downregulation of glucose metabolism and cancer-related pathways and upregulation of fatty acid metabolism pathways after decanoic acid or decanoic/octanoic acid treatment. [51]
  • The lung cancer review states that ketogenic diet has been shown to potentiate the anti-tumor effect of PI3K/AKT inhibition in prior studies, but the review itself focuses on drug combinations rather than a ketogenic diet intervention. [81]
  • In hepatocellular carcinoma models, ketogenic diet was reported to inhibit tumor growth in β-catenin wild-type groups but not in β-cateninS33Y mutation groups. [71]
  • The hepatocellular carcinoma review reported that β-cateninS33Y mutation was associated with resistance to ketogenic therapy and promoted metastasis through OXCT1-related ketone body catabolism. [71]
  • The breast cancer review reported that low HMGCS2 expression and low β-hydroxybutyrate synthesis were associated with lymph node metastasis and poor clinical outcomes in patients. [93]
  • In the same colorectal cancer model, cecal microbial transplantation from ketogenic-diet mice into germ-free recipient mice was associated with lower colonic tumor burden and a smaller proportion of large tumors than transplantation from standard-diet mice. [82]
  • The colorectal cancer review reports that the ketogenic diet was associated with reduced IL17-producing T cells and lower colonic IL17 mRNA in the mouse experiments. [82]
  • In the pediatric brain tumor systematic review, six of 11 patients showed a positive tumor response on imaging after ketogenic diet use. [15]
  • The pediatric brain tumor systematic review reports that MRI showed tumor improvement in four patients and that PET scans in two patients showed decreased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake to 21%. [15]
  • The chemotherapy-toxicity systematic review reports that ketogenic diet might offer initial advantages in improving diarrhea and physical activity during chemotherapy, but that these results may not be sustainable. [14]
  • The chemotherapy-toxicity systematic review concludes that there is insufficient evidence to identify a single dietary intervention as the most effective for reducing chemotherapy toxicities. [14]
  • The pediatric brain tumor systematic review found very low certainty for tumor response and low certainty for safety, feasibility, growth parameters, and survival outcomes. [15]
  • A 2025 review of cancer patients reported that clinical studies had found no substantial benefit of dietary interventions, including ketogenic diets, on patients' health and prognosis. [88]
  • A glioma review states that the ketogenic diet might play a role in the management of glioma and might be used as an adjunctive therapy. [87]
  • In melanoma, one review states that BRAF V600E mutation can enable melanoma cells to use ketone bodies as a metabolic substrate. [66]
  • The same melanoma review states that this mutation-specific metabolic rewiring suggests ketogenic diets could be detrimental in BRAF V600E melanoma. [66]
  • In breast cancer, one review states that some studies proposed reducing glucose intake and replacing it with a ketogenic diet as a possible therapeutic strategy, but it also notes contradictory evidence that ketone bodies may positively influence cancer growth. [21]
  • The cancer-metabolism review states that ketogenic diet use in tumor treatment has been described as supportive or adjunctive in the literature. [22]
  • The ketone-body cancer review states that physiological beta-hydroxybutyrate did not hinder breast cancer growth or response to chemo- or radiotherapy in one cited study. [22]
  • The same prostate cancer review states that numerous cell and mouse studies found ketogenic diets, when combined with standard cancer therapies, were able to restrict tumor growth or support tumor killing. [67]
  • The same prostate cancer review states that several early clinical trials in cancer patients found ketogenic diets to be safe and well tolerated. [67]
  • A psoriasis review reports that small studies suggest ketogenic diets may reduce psoriatic lesions, improve PASI scores, and decrease systemic inflammation markers. [25]
  • The psoriasis review also states that ketogenic diets may downregulate TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-1β and may enhance regulatory T-cell function while suppressing Th17 cells. [25]
  • A cancer review states that ketogenic diets have been studied for possible anticancer effects, including limiting energy supply to tumor cells, inhibiting angiogenesis, reducing oxidative stress in normal cells, and affecting cancer cell signaling. [23]
  • The same cancer review states that ketogenic diets may influence T-cell-mediated immune responses and inflammation by modulating the gut microbiota and may mitigate chemotherapy complications. [23]
  • In a mouse hepatocellular carcinoma model, ketogenic diet plus HIF-1 inhibition was associated with smaller tumors than control conditions. [27]
  • In the same hepatocellular carcinoma model, the ketogenic diet plus HIF-1 inhibition was associated with higher intratumoral acetyl-CoA, higher ROS markers, and higher cleaved caspase-3. [27]
  • In a nude-mouse glioma model, ketogenic diet was reported to suppress glioma progression through gut microbiota changes, increased butyrate production, and microglial caspase-3 activation. [56]
  • In a pilot study of malignant glioma, a modified ketogenic diet given with bevacizumab was reported to be feasible and well tolerated, and no severe adverse events occurred. [28]
  • In that pilot study, the median duration of modified ketogenic diet therapy was 6.2 months. [28]
  • In the pilot study, the diet was used alongside standard treatment including bevacizumab, and newly diagnosed patients also received radiotherapy and temozolomide. [28]
  • The review on ketogenic diets and cancer resistance states that ketogenic diets may alter glucose availability, insulin and IGF-1 signaling, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. [26]
  • The same review states that these proposed mechanisms are being studied as ways ketogenic diets might interact with chemotherapy and targeted therapies, but definitive clinical evidence is still being gathered. [26]
  • The review on nutritional strategies for targeted therapy states that high fiber intake and Mediterranean-style dietary patterns have been associated with better outcomes during immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, while ketogenic diet is not the main dietary pattern discussed there. [57]
  • The same review reports that the ketogenic diet-PI3K inhibitor interaction was not due to macronutrient composition but to microbiome metabolism of dietary phytochemicals. [94]
  • A review of enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer reports that upregulation of the ketogenic pathway was linked to immune desertification and resistance to immunotherapy. [95]
  • A scoping review reports that nearly all included clinical studies found a potential role for ketogenic diet in the prognosis of cancer treatment. [83]
  • The same scoping review reports that the included publications were mainly in brain cancer, breast and ovarian cancers, and pancreatic cancer. [83]
  • A scoping review on neuroendocrine neoplasms reports that a high-fat diet was associated with increased cancer risk, including NENs, while a Mediterranean diet may offer protective effects. [85]
  • The same neuroendocrine neoplasm review reports that malnutrition and sarcopenia were associated with poorer overall survival and more treatment complications in NEN patients. [85]
  • The FH deficiency source states that the ketogenic diet is usually considered contraindicated for treating epilepsy associated with FH deficiency or other Krebs cycle enzyme defects. [96]
  • In a 2025 meta-analysis of cancer patients, carbohydrate-restricted diets, including ketogenic diets, were associated with lower systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL-HDL ratio, TG-HDL ratio, VLDL, ApoB-ApoA1 ratio, E-selectin, CRP, and TNF-alpha, and with higher total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and ApoA1. [1]
  • In a 2024 meta-analysis of cancer patients, the ketogenic diet lowered glucose levels but did not show significant improvements in cholesterol, insulin-like growth factor 1, weight, or quality of life. [68]
  • In a 2025 meta-analysis of cancer patients, ketogenic diets were associated with lower TNF-alpha and IL-6, while no significant effect was reported for other inflammation-marker levels. [97]
  • In the 2025 cancer meta-analysis, subgroup analysis reported a larger TNF-alpha reduction in trials lasting 8 weeks or less and in people aged 50 years or younger, and a larger IL-6 reduction in people with body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2. [97]
  • A 2025 cancer meta-analysis reported that the overall cardiovascular disease risk was decreased by 1.05% with carbohydrate-restricted diets. [1]
  • A 2024 meta-analysis of human trials found that ad libitum ketogenic diets lowered serum IGF-1, fasting insulin, and glucose over 1 to 20 weeks. [38]
  • In the same meta-analysis, ketogenic diets were associated with increased beta-hydroxybutyrate levels and improved emotional functioning, while insulin, C-reactive protein, cholesterol, kidney function, and liver function showed non-significant pooled effects. [60]
  • In adults with cancer, a ketogenic diet meta-analysis found a significant reduction in body weight but not a significant effect on BMI. [98]
  • The prospective cohort meta-analysis found that plant-based low-carbohydrate scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality, while overall and animal-based low-carbohydrate scores were not associated with all-cause mortality. [62]
  • In a 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of cancer patients, ketogenic diets were associated with lower post-intervention body weight and BMI in pooled analyses, while fat mass findings were smaller and less consistent. [4]
  • In the same 2022 meta-analysis, some analyses of change from baseline suggested greater reductions in body weight and fat mass with ketogenic diets, but the authors reported substantial heterogeneity and sensitivity to exclusion of individual studies. [4]
  • In glioblastoma, the meta-analysis reports feasibility, mild adverse effects, preserved quality of life, and no grade 3 or higher toxicities directly related to the ketogenic diet in the included studies. [34]
  • In a gastric cancer case-control study, higher ketogenic ratio and simplified ketogenic ratio were associated with lower gastric cancer risk. [48]
Show 19 lab & early-research findings
  • For pancreatic cancer, the 2026 review says a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet combined with standard therapies may improve management of type 2 diabetes and may reduce risk or progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but the review notes that much of the evidence was preclinical or prevention-oriented. [74]
  • The systematic review reports that some studies found anti-tumor effects, while others found no effect or pro-tumor effects in preclinical models. [7]
  • In preclinical ER-positive breast cancer cell models, β-hydroxybutyrate produced divergent metabolic responses between MCF-7 and T47D cells under glucose restriction. [43]
  • In preclinical CAR T-cell studies, ketogenic diet–induced β-hydroxybutyrate augmented CAR T-cell function across multiple cancer models. [45]
  • In obese pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma mouse models, a ketogenic diet delayed cancer progression independent of weight loss. [47]
  • In non-obese low-fat-diet-fed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma mouse models, the same review reported that this effect was not observed. [47]
  • In a pancreatic cancer mouse study, a ketogenic diet alone was reported to suppress PDAC growth across xenograft and orthotopic models. [50]
  • In a pancreatic cancer mouse model, ketogenic diet feeding was reported to correlate with unexpectedly aggressive pathology and reduced survival compared with low-fat diet and standard diet. [53]
  • In anaplastic thyroid cancer cell and xenograft models, acetoacetate and ketogenic diet were reported to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. [54]
  • In the glioblastoma review, ketogenic diet-related medium-chain fatty acid treatments changed gene expression and metabolic pathways, but no significant change in cell viability was observed after 4 days in the U251 model. [51]
  • In FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia mouse models, ketogenic diet was reported to improve the efficacy of FLT3 inhibitors and reduce engraftment and tumor burden by about two-fold. [55]
  • In colorectal cancer samples and mouse models, β-hydroxybutyrate-mediated RagC K349 β-hydroxybutyrylation was reported to suppress mTORC1 signaling and tumor growth. [52]
  • In a breast cancer mouse model, ketogenic diet suppressed tumor growth and activated the AMPK-mTOR axis. [99]
  • In a breast cancer study, β-hydroxybutyrate supplementation showed antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo, and ketogenic diet or β-hydroxybutyrate reversed breast cancer progression induced by PAK5. [93]
  • In a colorectal cancer mouse model, ketogenic diet feeding was associated with lower colonic tumor burden and smaller tumor size compared with standard diet feeding. [82]
  • The breast cancer review also states that a VM-M3 mouse model of metastatic cancer showed reduced tumor progression and increased survival with ketogenic diets. [21]
  • A review of prostate cancer immunotherapy states that ketogenic diets may modulate the tumor microenvironment and that ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate has shown anti-tumor immune effects in preclinical and early clinical studies. [67]
  • In murine cancer models, one review reports that a ketogenic diet enhanced the anticancer activity of PI3K inhibitors. [94]
  • In the same review, a high-carbohydrate, low-phytochemical diet and antibiotics were reported to synergize with PI3K inhibition in mice. [94]
Proposed mechanismsProposed mechanisms for ketogenic diet in cancer center on reduced glucose availability, increased ketone bodies, and downstream effects on insulin, IGF-1, and metabolic signaling. Other proposed pathways include changes in inflammation, oxidative stress, the tumor microenvironment, immune responses, and the gut microbiome.8 points
  • The sources describe a proposed mechanism in which ketogenic diets reduce glucose availability and increase ketone bodies, which is linked to the Warburg effect and altered tumor energy metabolism. [4][6][7][61][86][19][33][27][26][29][34]11 sources
  • Proposed non-metabolic pathways include effects on inflammation, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, immune responses, the tumor microenvironment, and the gut microbiome. [5][97][12][79][23][66][30][32][56][82][25]11 sources
  • Several sources describe ketogenic diets as inducing ketosis and, in some studies, lowering glucose, insulin, and IGF-1; one source specifically mentions beta-hydroxybutyrate as a ketone measured during ketogenic diet use. [9][10][11][38][73][74][100][20][21][22]10 sources
  • Multiple sources describe beta-hydroxybutyrate as a signaling metabolite associated with beta-hydroxybutyrylation and other epigenetic or post-translational effects; one cited source also discusses histone deacetylase inhibition. [11][10][63][52][20][21][22][101][95]9 sources
  • Some studies report pathway-specific findings, including AMPK-OXCT1-IRF1 signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma, OXCT1-mediated ketone body utilization, and GDF15-related metabolic flexibility. [44][102][103][71][27]5 sources
  • Some reviews note that these mechanisms remain proposed or incompletely established rather than proven. [73][37][41][5][24]5 sources
Show 2 lab & early-research findings
  • Sources describe ketogenic diets or ketogenic conditions as affecting insulin signaling, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, ketolysis/ketone body utilization, and lactate-related tumor metabolism in some preclinical or disease-specific settings. [11][34][33][53][16][26][94][27]8 sources
  • Preclinical and review sources also mention altered amino acid metabolism, glutamine use, fatty acid metabolism, and microbiome-derived metabolites such as butyrate and stearic acid. [47][50][55][82][56]5 sources
Safety & interactionsEvidence on ketogenic diet safety in cancer care is limited and inconsistent, with reported adverse effects ranging from mild gastrointestinal and metabolic symptoms to occasional serious events in selected studies. Several reviews and trials also note changes in lipids, liver or kidney markers, and the need for close monitoring or careful patient selection.68 points
  • The 2026 review reports that adherence to ketogenic diet varied widely, with some studies reporting rates as low as 49%. [74]
  • The 2025 EASO statement says evidence on safety of ketogenic diet in cancer care is limited and inconsistent. [73]
  • The 2022 glioblastoma guideline says ketogenic diet is not suggested as a stand-alone therapy in adult patients with progressive glioblastoma. [75]
  • The 2025 chemotherapy review says dietary interventions including ketogenic diets were studied as adjuncts during chemotherapy, but the evidence was limited and inconsistent. [90]
  • The glioma review states that ketogenic diet implementation raises the risk of many side effects. [61]
  • The glioma review notes that all patients in the included studies underwent radiotherapy with temozolomide, and some also received bevacizumab, lomustine, gemcitabine, or prednisolone. [61]
  • The 2021 quality-of-life review lists possible adverse effects of ketogenic diets as micronutrient deficiencies, appetite reduction, nausea, constipation, fatigue, hyperlipidemia, and unintended weight loss. [5]
  • In the 2020 oncology review, adverse events attributed to the diet were reported as rare and mostly minor, except for one possibly diet-related grade 4 event. [8]
  • In the Cochrane review of cranial irradiation, the memantine study reported similar adverse events across groups, and the d-threo-methylphenidate study reported few adverse events. [40]
  • The pancreatic cancer trial excluded patients with severe malnutrition, body mass index below 18, albumin below 3.0 g/dL, type 1 diabetes, and a history of diabetic ketoacidosis, and required close monitoring of blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and glucose during the ketogenic intervention. [9]
  • The prostate cancer review states that a minimum water intake, vitamin and electrolyte supplementation, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation are required in one very-low-energy ketogenic protocol it describes. [11]
  • The KETOCOMP analysis reports that ketogenic diets during radio(chemo)therapy were safe in the studied rectal and head and neck cancer cohorts. [59]
  • The sources report mild adverse effects in glioblastoma ketogenic diet studies, including nausea, fatigue, constipation, electrolyte imbalance, headaches, muscle cramps, gastrointestinal discomfort, hypoglycemia, hyperkeratosis, vomiting, refusal to eat, asthenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and seizures. [34]
  • The sources describe mostly mild adverse events in ketogenic diet studies in glioblastoma and other gliomas, including gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss, fatigue, hypoglycemia, and electrolyte imbalances; they note that close monitoring is needed in small-scale implementations. [34]
  • The sources say the gut microbiome may influence how ketogenic dietary interventions interact with immunotherapy, but no published clinical results were identified in the reviewed trials. [32]
  • The sources say restrictive ketogenic approaches can be difficult to compare across studies because targets for ketosis, duration, macronutrient ratios, and timing relative to standard therapy differ. [34]
  • The cardiovascular review states that diabetic ketoacidosis is a severe metabolic disorder characterized by hyperketonemia, acidosis, and hyperglycemia. [12]
  • The Parkinson's disease review states that ketogenic diet use in older populations raises concerns about nutritional risks and comorbidities. [92]
  • The cachexia review states that cancer-associated cachexia can reduce therapeutic efficiency of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. [65]
  • The colorectal cancer review states that some cancer cells may adapt to low-glucose conditions by using ketone bodies, which raises concern that ketogenic diets could provide an alternative fuel source for tumors in some settings. [63]
  • The brain tumor scoping review reports minimal side effects in the ketogenic diet studies it summarized, but it also notes one study with a negative quality-of-life effect and discontinuation by 3 of 20 participants. [64]
  • The colorectal cancer review says exogenous ketones can raise beta-hydroxybutyrate without strict ketogenic dieting, but it also notes that their role in colorectal cancer remains under investigation. [63]
  • In the endometrial cancer feasibility study, no grade 3/4 adverse events were reported during the very-low-carbohydrate diet intervention. [42]
  • In that study, total cholesterol and LDL increased during the very-low-carbohydrate diet intervention. [42]
  • The advanced-cancer scoping review reported that impact on overall survival was inconsistent across nutritional interventions, including ketogenic diet studies. [41]
  • The hepatocellular carcinoma study reported that higher OXCT1 expression was negatively correlated with immune checkpoint blockade efficacy. [44]
  • The CAR T-cell review reported that β-hydroxybutyrate supplementation enhanced peripheral T-cell oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP production in healthy volunteers. [45]
  • The Irish survivor survey states that restrictive diets may worsen malnutrition and cancer-related cachexia and may contribute to clinically significant weight loss that can delay or interrupt planned oncological treatment. [49]
  • The same survey notes that biologically based complementary and alternative medicine can create pharmacokinetic interactions with systemic anti-cancer therapies through cytochrome P450 enzymes and drug transporters. [49]
  • The survey also notes that unregulated products can have direct toxicity, with laetrile cited as an example that can cause cyanide poisoning and severe adverse effects. [49]
  • The survey reports that cancer survivors often use biologically based complementary and alternative medicine after diagnosis despite limited consistent evidence supporting it. [49]
  • The glioblastoma review states that ketogenic diets in cancer studies are generally well tolerated, feasible, and safe. [51]
  • The thyroid review reports that body weight in the ketogenic diet and standard diet mouse groups did not change significantly, and the authors interpreted this as no obvious adverse physiological burden in that model. [54]
  • The pancreatic review reports that ketogenic diet effects in pancreatic cancer differed by context, including improvement with standard chemotherapy in some settings and acceleration of tumor growth in nonobese KrasG12D models in another study cited by the review. [53]
  • The lung cancer review notes that hyperglycemia is a common side effect of PI3K/AKT inhibitors and that insulin signaling can mitigate anti-tumor effects, which is why ketogenic diet was discussed as a metabolic partner in that setting. [81]
  • The hepatocellular carcinoma review reported that β-cateninS33Y-mutated tumors showed resistance to ketogenic therapy. [71]
  • The colorectal cancer review reports that long-term ketogenic diet feeding induced fatty liver and fibrosis in all subgroups in the mouse experiments. [82]
  • The colorectal cancer review reports that body weight, colon length, mucus layer thickness, plasma LPS, and occludin expression were not significantly different between ketogenic and standard diet groups in the mouse experiments. [82]
  • In the pediatric brain tumor review, hypoglycemia, hyperketosis, vomiting, constipation, swallowing difficulties, and slightly elevated serum lipid profiles were reported in some patients. [15]
  • The pediatric brain tumor review reports that no serious gastrointestinal symptoms were reported and that some symptoms resolved after regimen adjustment. [15]
  • The pediatric brain tumor review reports that some patients discontinued ketogenic diet because of disease progression or personal decision rather than adverse events. [15]
  • The pediatric brain tumor review reports that ketogenic diet was well tolerated in children with brain tumors without major side effects in both oral and enteral feeding. [15]
  • The thyroid review says prolonged T3 suppression on ketogenic diets has poorly understood long-term effects, especially in people with thyroid dysfunction or thyroid hormone replacement therapy. [18]
  • The thyroid review says the hormone changes seen during ketogenic diet adherence may be adaptive and non-pathological in the absence of clinical symptoms, but may be clinically relevant in people with existing thyroid dysfunction. [18]
  • The thyroid review notes that early ketogenic adaptation may be associated with higher cortisol, which can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. [18]
  • The sources discuss weighing the benefits and risks of chronic ketogenic diet use, but do not state that ketone-level modulation is very risky to health if not handled properly. [20]
  • The sources state that excessive ketone-body levels can be life-threatening in diabetic ketoacidosis. [20]
  • The mitochondrial review states that ketogenic diets have been associated with adverse effects on cardiac mitochondria in some studies. [104]
  • The cancer-metabolism review states that ketone-body metabolism in tumors can vary by cancer type and that tumor microenvironment cells may supply ketone bodies for breast tumor growth. [22]
  • The melanoma review states that ketogenic diets could be detrimental in BRAF V600E melanoma, which is a cancer-specific caution rather than a general safety statement. [66]
  • The prostate cancer review states that early clinical trials reported ketogenic diets to be safe and well tolerated. [67]
  • The same review also states that there is concern about potential unwanted side effects. [67]
  • The cancer review states that ketogenic diets may mitigate complications of chemotherapy. [23]
  • In the malignant glioma pilot study, no severe adverse events occurred during modified ketogenic diet therapy with bevacizumab. [28]
  • In that pilot study, body weight did not differ among groups during the observation period. [28]
  • In the hepatocellular carcinoma mouse study, serum triglyceride and glucose levels did not differ significantly among groups. [27]
  • The glioma pilot study excluded patients with diabetes mellitus with HbA1c above 6.1%, intestinal obstruction or predisposition to ileus, heart failure above NYHA class 2, recent myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, infections requiring systemic treatment, or inability to metabolize ketone bodies from fatty acids. [28]
  • The FH deficiency source states that ketogenic diet is usually considered contraindicated in FH deficiency and other Krebs cycle enzyme defects. [96]
  • The neuroendocrine neoplasm review reports that somatostatin analog therapy may induce exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and that nutritional monitoring and fecal elastase-1 testing are recommended in that setting. [85]
  • The 2026 review says ketogenic diet did not improve liver or kidney function compared with control diets, and the controlled-trial meta-analysis found non-significant pooled effects for kidney and liver function parameters. [74][60]
  • The 2025 cancer meta-analysis reported no significant effect for several inflammation markers other than TNF-alpha and IL-6. [97]
  • The 2024 cancer meta-analysis reported insufficient evidence to establish a definitive link between the ketogenic diet and cancer-related parameters. [68]
  • The 2022 cancer meta-analysis reported that completion rates were 64.43% in the ketogenic diet group and 70.66% in the control group across included trials. [4]
  • The sources report that no grade 3 or higher toxicities directly related to the ketogenic diet were seen in the glioblastoma meta-analysis, although one prospective astrocytoma study reported a grade 3 neutropenia event. [34]
  • The cardiovascular review states that elevated ketone levels can be associated with poor prognosis or adverse outcomes in some cardiac conditions, while one retrospective study found increased plasma β-hydroxybutyrate to be an independent protective factor after acute myocardial infarction with heart failure. [12]
Show 3 lab & early-research findings
  • The breast cancer review reported no effect on body weight in nude mice receiving ketogenic diet in its xenograft experiment. [71]
  • The same mitochondrial review states that long-term exposure to elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate led to impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, fibrosis, and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis in one cited model. [104]
  • The PI3K review reports that ketogenic diet can lower blood levels and anticancer activity of PI3K inhibitors in mice through microbiome-phytochemical-liver interactions. [94]
What we don't know yetCurrent evidence on ketogenic diets in cancer is limited, inconsistent, and often based on small or heterogeneous studies. Across cancer types, the clinical role, optimal composition, and mechanisms remain uncertain, and larger higher-quality trials are repeatedly called for.49 points
  • Evidence on ketogenic diets in cancer is incomplete and critical gaps remain, and findings are sometimes contradictory, including for breast cancer, weight loss, and mitochondrial effects. [66][104][22][20][21]5 sources
  • The sources do not establish whether ketogenic diet has a consistent benefit across cancer types or treatment settings, and they leave open whether reported clinical findings are reproducible in larger, higher-quality cancer trials. [94][95][83][85][84]5 sources
  • More research is needed on how ketogenic diets fit into cancer prevention and treatment, and the clinical role of ketogenic diet in cancer remains uncertain in these texts. [80][93][71][99]4 sources
  • Ketone-body biology may interact with immunotherapy, but the sources do not establish a clinical standard for ketogenic diet use with these treatments. [45][44][105]3 sources
  • More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the effects of ketogenic diet in cancer. [90][74]
  • Some reviews report that available glioblastoma clinical studies are small and heterogeneous, limiting firm conclusions, and call for standardized phase III trials to clarify the clinical role of ketogenic diets. [89][34]
  • For ketogenic dietary interventions in immunotherapy settings, sources say further clinical evaluation is needed to define their effects on the microbiome and treatment outcomes. [91][32]
  • Clinical translation of ketogenic diets in breast cancer is still at an early stage, and long-term studies are still needed to confirm effects on breast cancer survival and recurrence. [31][78]
  • Controlled comparative trials are lacking for diet and tryptophan metabolism, and more standardized and longer studies are needed for ketogenic diets in brain tumors. [106][64]
  • Responses to ketogenic diet may differ by tumor subtype and metabolic state. [71][93]
  • Sources describe a complex interplay between ketone bodies and epigenetic changes in cancer and identify ketone-body–linked modifications such as Kbhb as an epigenetic-metabolic interface. [21][101]
  • Controversies and uncertainties remain regarding the specific mechanisms and clinical effects of ketogenic diets in cancer, and more thorough testing is needed before widespread application in patients. [23][67]
  • Current evidence is limited and inconsistent, and standardized nutritional guidelines, adherence, and personalization remain challenges. [73]
  • More robust evidence is needed to identify the optimal ketogenic-diet composition for cancer treatment, and the overall effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in oncology remains debated. [1]
  • Further research is required to fully understand the effects of the ketogenic diet on cancer-related parameters. [68]
  • Clinical data on glioma are limited, and the effects of ketogenic diets on survival, side effects, and quality of life are not yet well established. [61]
  • The 2022 Cochrane review found only limited additional evidence for interventions to prevent or ameliorate cognitive deficits after cranial irradiation and called for further research. [40]
  • Evidence for beneficial effects of ketogenic diets during cancer therapy is accumulating, but more high-quality studies are needed to assess the overall strength of evidence. [8]
  • Clinical evidence from randomized controlled trials was still lacking at the time of publication. [7]
  • The 2021 quality-of-life review found no standardized definition of the ketogenic diet and included studies with different carbohydrate limits and diet types. [5]
  • The pancreatic cancer trial was designed as a screening phase II study to determine whether the medically supervised ketogenic diet warrants a larger phase III trial. [9]
  • Evidence is insufficient to determine whether ketogenic diets have different effects across prostate cancer subtypes, and heterogeneity of study designs, tumor types, dietary protocols, and adherence complicates interpretation of the literature. [11]
  • Research on nonhistone β-hydroxybutyrylation remains relatively limited. [10]
  • Results in glioblastoma are inconsistent and may depend on adherence, study design, and gut microbiome differences. [30]
  • No official nutritional guidelines specific to lung cancer were identified in the lung cancer review. [33]
  • The effects of dietary interventions including the ketogenic diet and their underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. [79]
  • The proposed combination of ketogenic diet and stem cell therapy lacks direct clinical evidence in Parkinson's disease populations. [92]
  • The role of ketone metabolism in myocardial infarction and ischemia-reperfusion remains largely unknown. [12]
  • The colorectal cancer review presents ketogenic diets as potentially failing as a therapeutic strategy in colorectal cancer because of tumor metabolic flexibility, but this is a review interpretation rather than a settled conclusion. [63]
  • Universal conclusions cannot be made about nutritional interventions in brain tumor patients because of limited data, small sample sizes, and lack of standardized tools. [64]
  • Evidence is insufficient for definitive recommendations for ketogenic diet interventions in advanced cancer. [41]
  • Whether patients are likely to benefit from ketogenic interventions may depend on biomarkers such as OXCT1, ACAT1, and SHMT1, but this remains a candidate-stratification idea requiring validation. [43]
  • In colorectal cancer, it remains unclear whether the observed reduction in immune cell populations was caused by ketogenic diet or by decreased tumor development, and time-course analyses would be needed to clarify the sequence of events leading to the reduced tumor burden. [82]
  • Standard guidelines regarding macronutrient composition of ketogenic diet for glioma are warranted, and more research is needed regarding ketogenic diet for prevention and post-treatment of glioma. [13]
  • Further research is necessary to identify the most beneficial dietary pattern for patients undergoing chemotherapy. [14]
  • The pediatric brain tumor review reported very low certainty for quality-of-life and nutrition-related outcomes because of small sample size and nonhomogeneous measurement tools. [15]
  • The long-term effects of prolonged ketogenic diet use on thyroid hormone dynamics remain poorly understood. [18]
  • Clinical studies have not shown substantial benefit of dietary interventions on cancer patients' health and prognosis, which leaves the role of ketogenic diets unsettled in that review. [88]
  • Precision nutrition and individualized dietary strategies in melanoma immunotherapy remain largely unexplored. [66]
  • Individual responses to dietary interventions can vary widely depending on factors such as genetic background, tumor characteristics, and stage of disease. [24]
  • More robust large-scale studies are needed to validate ketogenic-diet findings. [25]
  • The anticancer mechanism of ketogenic diet remains unclear. [27]
  • Definitive clinical evidence for ketogenic diet in overcoming therapeutic resistance is still being gathered. [26]
  • Larger trials are needed to clarify therapeutic efficacy in glioma. [28]
  • The anti-glioma effect was abolished by antibiotics, germ-free conditions, or depletion of mucin-2, microglia, or microglial caspase-3. [56]
  • Ketogenic diet is not the central dietary pattern discussed for immune checkpoint inhibitor support in one review, which emphasizes Mediterranean-style diet and fiber instead. [57]
  • Low certainty of evidence and substantial heterogeneity limit interpretation, and more robust prospective cohort studies are needed. [62][4]
  • The controlled-trial meta-analysis reported moderate quality of evidence by Nutrigrade. [60]
  • The sources do not establish whether ketogenic diet findings in mouse models translate to clinical outcomes in people with cancer. [46][47][48][107][49][50]6 sources
Practical considerationsKetogenic diet protocols in cancer studies varied widely in fat, carbohydrate, and protein targets, duration, and level of clinical support. Guidance sources emphasize nutritional supervision and note that restrictive diets may compromise nutritional adequacy.53 points
  • Sources describe substantial heterogeneity in ketogenic diet prescriptions across cancer studies, with limited reporting in many papers. [6][8][5][4]4 sources
  • Ketogenic diets are high-fat, low-carbohydrate patterns that restrict carbohydrate intake and increase fat intake. [20][21][22][104]4 sources
  • Ketogenic diets are described as high-fat, low-carbohydrate patterns, and one review added that they are moderate in protein and extremely low in carbohydrate. [23][24][25]3 sources
  • Traditional ketogenic diets in cancer meta-analyses were described as roughly 70% to 90% fat with very low carbohydrate intake, and one review described a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet with 70% to 80% fat, 5% to 10% carbohydrate, and 10% to 20% protein. [1][2]
  • In cancer studies, ketogenic diets were compared with standard or usual diets, low-carbohydrate diets, hospital diets, the American Cancer Society diet, or standard recommendations from the German Nutrition Society. [1][68]
  • Reported intervention durations in cancer meta-analyses ranged from 6 days to 24 weeks, with several studies lasting 12 weeks or 20 weeks. [1][68]
  • Cancer studies have described ketogenic diet variants including classic 4:1 ketogenic diets, Modified Atkins Diet, and calorie restriction. [34][33]
  • Adherence and study design varied widely across ketogenic diet cancer studies. [34][30]
  • Ketogenic diets have been used in weight-loss settings, but one review said their usefulness for weight loss has not been firmly established and that studies are discordant. [20][104]
  • In glioma studies summarized in one review, ketogenic diets ranged from 3 weeks to 26 months, and follow-up ranged from 12 weeks to 26 months. [61]
  • Some glioma studies used liquid ketogenic formulas first and then transitioned to solid foods, and carbohydrate limits ranged from 10 g/day to 60 g/day. [61]
  • The 2020 oncology review stated that ketogenic diet prescription was described only rudimentarily in most papers. [8]
  • The 2021 quality-of-life review noted that included trials ranged from classical ketogenic diets to medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diets and modified Atkins diets. [5]
  • In the pancreatic cancer trial, the medically supervised ketogenic diet restricted total carbohydrates to 30 g/day or less, targeted protein intake at 1.5 g/kg of reference body weight, and encouraged dietary fat to satiety. [9]
  • In the pancreatic cancer trial, participants in the ketogenic-diet arm received remote support, health coaching, daily biometric feedback, peer support, and telemedicine monitoring. [9]
  • The prostate cancer review stated that ketogenic-diet protocols studied in cancer vary, including classic, isocaloric, medium-chain triglyceride, and very-low-energy ketogenic approaches. [11]
  • The prostate cancer review stated that some cancer studies used ketogenic diets with carbohydrate restriction typically below 30 to 50 g per day. [11]
  • Ketogenic diets have been studied both alone and alongside standard cancer treatments such as radiotherapy, temozolomide, bevacizumab, and other conventional care in glioblastoma reports. [34]
  • Professional nutritional supervision is emphasized in cancer nutrition guidance, and restrictive diets that may compromise nutritional adequacy are discouraged in the ESPEN guidance cited by the lung cancer review. [33]
  • ASCO does not recommend a specific dietary pattern during and after cancer treatment and does not recommend intentional weight loss during active therapy. [33]
  • A ketogenic diet is one way to stimulate ketogenesis and reach nutritional ketosis. [12]
  • Ketogenic diet protocols lack standardization, and long-term adherence and tolerability remain clinical challenges. [92]
  • Personalized nutrition accounting for genetic, epigenetic, and microbiome profiles is emerging in this area. [78]
  • Ketogenic diet interventions in brain tumor studies varied widely in type, degree of caloric restriction, and duration, with durations ranging from 9 days to 12 months. [64]
  • Many brain tumor studies relied on descriptive quality-of-life reporting rather than formal assessment tools. [64]
  • There is a lack of controlled comparative trials and limited standardization of dietary assessment methods. [106]
  • The endometrial cancer feasibility study used a very-low-carbohydrate diet for 21 to 28 days in treatment-naïve women with overweight or obesity. [42]
  • Nutritional interventions, including ketogenic diet studies, were heterogeneous in an advanced-cancer scoping review, and personalized nutritional strategies may be needed. [41]
  • In the Irish survivor survey, the most commonly reported biologically based complementary and alternative medicine practices were vitamin and mineral supplements, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies or botanicals. [49]
  • In that survey, 26% of respondents who had not used biologically based complementary and alternative medicine before diagnosis started using it after diagnosis. [49]
  • In that survey, 2% of biologically based complementary and alternative medicine users reported using such approaches as an alternative to conventional cancer treatment. [49]
  • Ketogenic diets are typically very high in fat and low in carbohydrate, and one review described a classical ketogenic diet as about 90% of energy from fat. [51]
  • The thyroid review reported that the ketogenic diet formula in its mouse study was customized from casein, methionine, cellulose, vitamin mix, oils, and mineral ingredients. [54]
  • The glioblastoma review stated that the medium-chain triglyceride diet allowed greater carbohydrate intake while maintaining ketosis via octanoic acid. [51]
  • The pediatric brain tumor systematic review described ketogenic diet formulations including classic ketogenic diet, medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet, modified Atkins diet, and low-glycemic index ketogenic diet. [15]
  • In the pediatric brain tumor review, most patients followed ketogenic diet for more than 3 months, and one patient followed it for 8 weeks. [15]
  • In the pediatric brain tumor review, nine of 11 patients were followed weekly by dietitians and five were contacted by telephone or email for additional support. [15]
  • The pediatric brain tumor review reported that ketogenic diet was frequently modified, including stepwise reductions in ratio and medium-chain triglyceride oil dosage. [15]
  • The pediatric brain tumor review reported that some patients used enteral feeding and some used vitamin and mineral supplements. [15]
  • The thyroid review said the ketogenic diet is not a single regimen and includes variants such as the classic ketogenic diet and the modified Atkins diet. [18]
  • The thyroid review recommends regular monitoring of thyroid function in people following a ketogenic diet, especially those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis or pre-existing thyroid dysfunction. [18]
  • Nutritional ketosis is reached after carbohydrate deprivation and can raise ketone bodies above 0.5 mmol/L, with levels in ketogenic-diet settings described as up to about 7 mmol/L. [20]
  • The breast cancer review stated that ketogenic-diet discussions in cancer often emphasize low-carbohydrate vegetables and avoidance of high-sugar foods, starchy vegetables, and refined grains. [22]
  • The prostate cancer review stated that ketogenic diets have been used in combination with standard cancer therapies in preclinical studies and that early clinical trials have examined them in patients. [67]
  • The prostate cancer review stated that the human ability of these diets to restrict tumor growth or support tumor killing in combination with existing treatments remains unclear. [67]
  • In the malignant glioma pilot study, the modified ketogenic diet restricted carbohydrate intake to 10 g/day in week 1, 20 g/day for the next 2 months, and 30 g/day from month 3 onward. [28]
  • In that study, total caloric intake was set at 30 to 40 kcal/kg/day and medium-chain triglyceride oil was used to supplement calories. [28]
  • The pilot study used registered dietitians for counseling and monitored blood glucose, ketone bodies, urinary ketones, body weight, and adverse events. [28]
  • The neuroendocrine neoplasm review reported that nutritional assessments and dietary interventions in NENs varied widely across studies. [85]
  • The FH deficiency source reported limited information on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet with 60% fat, 30% carbohydrate, and 10% protein. [96]
  • The controlled-trial meta-analysis found that emotional functioning increased significantly in the ketogenic diet groups compared with standard diet groups. [60]
Show 2 lab & early-research findings
  • In a pancreatic review, a ketogenic diet used in mice was 90% of energy from fat, while a control low-fat diet provided 13% of energy from fat. [53]
  • A scoping review searched the literature from 1990 to 2023 and included 23 cancer-related publications, including 10 clinical trials and 5 case reports. [83]

Common questions

What does the research say about overview for Ketogenic diet?

The ketogenic diet is described in the sources as a high-fat, low-carbohydrate dietary pattern that induces ketosis or raises ketone bodies. Across cancer settings, the evidence is limited, small, heterogeneous, and inconsistent, and no single cancer-wide conclusion is reported.

What does the research say about what studies report for Ketogenic diet?

Studies of ketogenic diets in cancer report mixed findings across cancer types and study designs, with many reviews describing feasibility, changes in weight or metabolic markers, and inconsistent clinical outcome data. Evidence is strongest in small trials and preclinical models, while several reviews note heterogeneity, limited sample sizes, or insufficient data for firm conclusions.

What does the research say about proposed mechanisms for Ketogenic diet?

Proposed mechanisms for ketogenic diet in cancer center on reduced glucose availability, increased ketone bodies, and downstream effects on insulin, IGF-1, and metabolic signaling. Other proposed pathways include changes in inflammation, oxidative stress, the tumor microenvironment, immune responses, and the gut microbiome.

What does the research say about safety & interactions for Ketogenic diet?

Evidence on ketogenic diet safety in cancer care is limited and inconsistent, with reported adverse effects ranging from mild gastrointestinal and metabolic symptoms to occasional serious events in selected studies. Several reviews and trials also note changes in lipids, liver or kidney markers, and the need for close monitoring or careful patient selection.

What does the research say about what we don't know yet for Ketogenic diet?

Current evidence on ketogenic diets in cancer is limited, inconsistent, and often based on small or heterogeneous studies. Across cancer types, the clinical role, optimal composition, and mechanisms remain uncertain, and larger higher-quality trials are repeatedly called for.

What does the research say about practical considerations for Ketogenic diet?

Ketogenic diet protocols in cancer studies varied widely in fat, carbohydrate, and protein targets, duration, and level of clinical support. Guidance sources emphasize nutritional supervision and note that restrictive diets may compromise nutritional adequacy.

Sources

Every statement above is drawn from these reviewed sources. This page reports what they describe. Sources last checked June 9, 2026.

  1. Systematic reviewImpact of ketogenic diets on cancer patient outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis · 2025
  2. Systematic reviewImpact of low-carbohydrate diet on health status: an umbrella review · 2024
  3. Systematic reviewKetogenic diets: A systematic review of current scientific evidence and possible applicability in dogs and cats · 2024
  4. Meta-analysisEffect of Ketogenic Diets on Body Composition and Metabolic Parameters of Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis · 2022
  5. Systematic reviewEffect of Ketogenic Diet on Quality of Life in Adults with Chronic Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials · 2021
  6. Systematic reviewThe use of ketogenic diets in cancer patients: a systematic review · 2021
  7. Systematic reviewCancer Treatment With the Ketogenic Diet: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Animal Studies · 2021
  8. Systematic reviewKetogenic diets in medical oncology: a systematic review with focus on clinical outcomes · 2020
  9. Randomized trialA randomized phase II trial of gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, cisplatin with or without a medically supervised ketogenic diet for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer · 2026
  10. Review articleFrom ketogenic metabolism to targeted therapeutics: current advances in β-hydroxybutyrylation · 2026
  11. Review articleKetogenic and Low-Carbohydrate Diets in Prostate Cancer: Metabolic Rationale, Preclinical Evidence, and Preliminary Clinical Data · 2026
  12. Review articleKetones in Cardiovascular Health and Disease: An Updated Review · 2026
  13. Review articleCritical Review of Ketogenic Diet Throughout the Cancer Continuum for Neuroglioma: Insights from a Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Perspective · 2025
  14. Review articleEvaluating the role of dietary interventions in reducing chemotherapy toxicities in cancer patients: a systematic review · 2025
  15. Review articleSafety, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of Ketogenic Diet in Pediatric Patients With Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review · 2025
  16. Review articleThe anti-tumour role of ketogenic diet based on energy metabolism · 2025
  17. Review articleTumor metabolism as a factor affecting diversity in cancer cachexia · 2025
  18. Review articleKetogenic Diet and Thyroid Function: A Delicate Metabolic Balancing Act · 2025
  19. Review articleDeciphering the Controversial Role of TP53 Inducible Glycolysis and Apoptosis Regulator (TIGAR) in Cancer Metabolism as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy · 2025
  20. Review articleThe Impact of Ketogenic Nutrition on Obesity and Metabolic Health: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications · 2025
  21. Review articleKetone body, as an emerging modulator of metabolic reprogramming and epigenetics in breast cancer · 2025
  22. Review articleComprehensive Overview of Ketone Bodies in Cancer Metabolism: Mechanisms and Application · 2025
  23. Review articleKetogenic diet and cancer: multidimensional exploration and research · 2025
  24. Review articleThe Role of Diet and Nutrition in Cancer Development and Management: From Molecular Mechanisms to Personalized Interventions · 2025
  25. Review articleTargeting Cytokine Dysregulation in Psoriasis: The Role of Dietary Interventions in Modulating the Immune Response · 2025
  26. Review articleNutritional approaches in combating therapeutic resistance and enhancing treatment efficacy in cancer: the impact of ketogenic diets · 2025
  27. Review articlePutative Role of Fatty Acid Metabolic Therapy Using Ketogenic Diet and HIF-1α Inhibition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Evidence from an In Vitro Study · 2025
  28. Review articleKetogenic diet therapy for high-grade gliomas combined with standard treatment using an angiogenesis inhibitor: An exploratory pilot study on feasibility · 2025
  29. Review articleTargeted Metabolic Therapy in Cancer: A Comprehensive Metabolic Treatment Strategy · 2026
  30. Review articleInterplay Between the Ketogenic Diet and the Gut Microbiome in Glioblastoma: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms and Clinical Implications · 2026
  31. Review articlePrecision nutrition in breast cancer: Towards patient- and tumour-informed dietary strategies · 2026
  32. Review articleHow the Ketogenic Diet Shapes the Microbiome to Influence Cancer Immunotherapy Outcomes: An Exploration of Clinical Trials and Their Results · 2026
  33. Review articleThe Role of the Ketogenic Diet in Lung Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives · 2026
  34. Meta-analysisEfficacy and safety of ketogenic diet in glioblastoma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis · 2026
  35. Systematic reviewEffects of nutritional interventions on cognitive function in adult cancer survivors: A systematic review · 2024
  36. Meta-analysisDietary restriction and hepatic cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies · 2024
  37. Systematic reviewRole of nutritional adjuncts in the management of gliomas: A systematic review of literature · 2023
  38. Meta-analysisEffect of ketogenic diets on insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis · 2024
  39. Meta-analysisThe genetically predicted causal associations between circulating 3-hydroxybutyrate levels and malignant neoplasms: A pan-cancer Mendelian randomization study · 2024
  40. Systematic reviewInterventions for preventing and ameliorating cognitive deficits in adults treated with cranial irradiation · 2022
  41. Review articleNutritional Interventions in Advanced Cancer: Scoping Review · 2026
  42. Review articleVery low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in treatment-naïve women with endometrial cancer and overweight: a randomized feasibility study · 2026
  43. Review articleβ-Hydroxybutyrate elicits divergent metabolic responses between MCF-7 and T47D ER+ breast cancer cells under glucose restriction · 2026
  44. Review articleNuclear OXCT1 attenuates histone β-hydroxybutyrylation-mediated MHC-I transcription · 2026
  45. Review articleβ-hydroxybutyrate enhances the metabolic fitness of CAR T cells in cancer · 2026
  46. Review articleβ-hydroxybutyrate potentiates anti-tumor immunity by modulating cytotoxic CD8(+) T cell responses · 2026
  47. Review articleKetogenic Diet Prevents Obesity-Associated Pancreatic Cancer Independent of Weight Loss and Induces Pancreatic Metabolic Reprogramming · 2026
  48. Review articleInteractions Between ADIPOQ rs1501299 Polymorphism, Dietary Macronutrient Composition, and Gastric Cancer Risk: Evidence from a Korean Case-Control Study · 2026
  49. Review articleExploring biologically-based complementary and alternative medicine use among Irish cancer survivors: findings from a national survey · 2026
  50. Review articleA ketogenic diet sensitizes pancreatic cancer to glutamine metabolism inhibitors · 2026
  51. Review articleMetabolic targeting of pantothenate by medium chain fats in glioblastoma cells · 2026
  52. Review articleRagC senses β-hydroxybutyrate abundancy to suppress mTORC1 and tumor growth · 2026
  53. Review articleDietary Fat Content Influences PanIN Progression and Pancreatic Cancer Development in Mice · 2026
  54. Review articlePreliminary study on ketone body metabolism in anaplastic thyroid cancer · 2026
  55. Review articleTargeting systemic and tumor metabolic balances with ketogenic diets enhance efficacy of therapy in FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia · 2026
  56. Review articleKetogenic diet inhibits glioma progression by promoting gut microbiota-derived butyrate production · 2025
  57. Review articleNutritional strategies in supporting immune checkpoint inhibitor, PI3K inhibitor, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor cancer therapies · 2025
  58. Randomized trialEffects of Ketogenic metabolic therapy on patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled clinical trial · 2021
  59. Review articleSurvival outcomes of rectal and head and neck cancer patients receiving radio(chemo)therapy with a ketogenic diet. A post-hoc analysis from the KETOCOMP trial · 2026
  60. Meta-analysisEffect of Ketogenic Diets on Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Clinical Trials · 2023
  61. Systematic reviewEffects of the Ketogenic Diet in the Treatment of Gliomas: A Systematic Review · 2022
  62. Meta-analysisOverall, plant-based, or animal-based low carbohydrate diets and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies · 2023
  63. Review articleβ-Hydroxybutyrate, a primary metabolite of ketogenic diets and its dual role in modulating colorectal cancer: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic insights · 2026
  64. Review articleNutrition and Its Impact on Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors: A Scoping Review · 2026
  65. Review articleNutritional strategies against skeletal muscle wasting in cancer-associated cachexia: the role of β-hydroxybutyrate and polyunsaturated fatty acids · 2026
  66. Review articleNutrition and Diet Patterns as Key Modulators of Metabolic Reprogramming in Melanoma Immunotherapy · 2025
  67. Review articleDietary impacts on prostate cancer immunotherapy · 2025
  68. Meta-analysisEffects of ketogenic diets on cancer-related variables: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials · 2024
  69. Systematic reviewA systematic review of the use of ketogenic diets in adult patients with cancer · 2018
  70. Systematic reviewSystematic review: isocaloric ketogenic dietary regimes for cancer patients · 2017
  71. Review articleβ-catenin mutation reprograms ketone body metabolism to drive hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and resistance to ketogenic therapy via transcriptional activation of OXCT1 · 2026
  72. Review articleKetosis suppression and ageing (KetoSAge): the effect of suppressing ketosis on SHBG and sex hormone profiles in healthy premenopausal women, and its implications for cancer risk and therapy · 2026
  73. GuidelineEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) Position Statement on Medical Nutrition Therapy for the Management of Individuals with Overweight or Obesity and Cancer · 2025
  74. Meta-analysisThe Effect of a Ketogenic Diet on Cancer: Evidence From Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes · 2026
  75. GuidelineCongress of Neurological Surgeons systematic review and evidence-based guidelines update on the role of cytotoxic chemotherapy and other cytotoxic therapies in the management of progressive glioblastoma in adults · 2022
  76. Systematic reviewRole of ketogenic metabolic therapy in malignant glioma: A systematic review · 2017
  77. Randomized trialClinical Tolerability and Safety of Ketogenic Diet in Patients with Gynecological Malignancies Undergoing Radiotherapy: Preliminary Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Trial (KOMPARC) · 2026
  78. Review articleObesity-focused dietary interventions in breast cancer care: A comprehensive review of medical nutrition therapy approaches and efficacy in prevention and treatment · 2026
  79. Review articleDietary intervention & immunity: underlying mechanisms and future directions · 2026
  80. Review article"Time" for obesity-related cancers: The role of chrononutrition in cancer prevention and treatment · 2025
  81. Review articleSynergistic effects through targeting the PI3K and IGFR pathways in treating lung cancer carrying activation alterations along the PI3K pathway · 2026
  82. Review articleKetogenic diet suppresses colorectal cancer through the gut microbiome long chain fatty acid stearate · 2025
  83. Review articleProspects of the therapeutic approaches of ketogenic diet on the clinical outcomes of cancer: A scoping review · 2025
  84. Review articleLifestyle-Based Approaches to Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Diet, Physical Activity, and Integrative Strategies · 2025
  85. Review articleNutritional aspects in neuroendocrine neoplasms. bridging the gap between dietary interventions and cancer care strategies: a scoping review · 2025
  86. Review articleMetabolism of glioblastoma: a review of metabolic adaptations and metabolic therapeutic interventions · 2025
  87. Review articleThe Role of Dietary Patterns, Nutrient Intake, and Immune Modulation in Glioma Risk and Management · 2025
  88. Review articleVitamins and dietary supplements in cancer treatment: is there a need for increased usage? · 2025
  89. Systematic reviewEfficacy of ketogenic metabolic therapy as an adjuvant to the current standard of care in the treatment of glioblastoma: A systematic review of clinical trials · 2025
  90. Systematic reviewEffects of Exercise or Diet or Combined Interventions on Treatment Efficacy of Chemotherapy for Cancer: A Systematic Review · 2025
  91. Systematic reviewGut microbiome changes and cancer immunotherapy outcomes associated with dietary interventions: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence · 2025
  92. Review articlePotential Synergistic Roles of Ketogenic Diet and Stem Cell Therapy in Parkinson's Disease: A Narrative Review · 2026
  93. Review articlePAK5-Mediated Suppression of β-Hydroxybutyrate Production Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis and Can Be Overcome with Ketogenic Diet · 2026
  94. Review articleMicrobiome metabolism of dietary phytochemicals controls the anticancer activity of PI3K inhibitors · 2025
  95. Review articleKetogenesis instigates immune suppression in enzalutamide resistant prostate cancer via OTUD7B β-hydroxybutyrylation · 2025
  96. Review articleExploring the effect of different diet types on ageing and age-related diseases · 2025
  97. Meta-analysisThe effect of a ketogenic diet on inflammation-related markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials · 2025
  98. Meta-analysisThe Effect of Ketogenic Diet on Weight Loss in Adult Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Clinical Trials · 2022
  99. Review articleKetogenic diet modulates AMPK-mTOR pathway in breast cancer · 2026
  100. Meta-analysisAnti-Tumor Effects of Ketogenic Diets in Mice: A Meta-Analysis · 2016
  101. Review articleLysine β-hydroxybutyrylation in metabolic plasticity and disease pathogenesis · 2025
  102. Review articleThe significance of the ketolytic gene OXCT1 in metabolism, intracellular signaling and disease development · 2026
  103. Review articleBeyond cellular distress: reframing GDF15 as a lipid-sensitive metabolic signal · 2026
  104. Review articleEffects of nutrients and diet on mitochondrial dysfunction: An opportunity for therapeutic approaches in human disease · 2025
  105. Review articleβ-hydroxybutyrate supplementation boosts the tumor-killing potential of CAR T cells · 2026
  106. Review articleDietary patterns and tryptophan metabolism: mechanistic insights and health implications · 2026
  107. Review articleEffects of Ketogenic Diet on Behavioral, Metabolic, and Peripheral Tissue Changes in a Propylthiouracil-Induced Hypothyroidism Model · 2026

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