Meta-analysisindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-CAN-104 standard review

Ketogenic diet trials in cancer: little proven benefit

Effects of ketogenic diets on cancer-related variables: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Overview

Salido-Bueno B et al.. Nutr Bull 2024 · PMID 38923748 · DOI 10.1111/nbu.12693

In 7 small randomised trials, a ketogenic diet lowered blood glucose but did not clearly improve other cancer-related measures.

Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: moderate

Study explained simply

What did the researchers want to find out?: Assess ketogenic diet effects in cancer RCTs.
How was the study done?: Meta-analysis of RCTs.
How many people, animals or samples were studied?: 8 RCTs of 4-16 weeks.
What was actually found?: Only glucose fell.
How large was the observed effect?: Not quantified in abstract.
What do the results mean in everyday life?: No diet has been shown to treat cancer.
What are the study's limitations?: Small, short trials.
What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?: Contradicts diet-as-treatment claims.
Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?: Moderate.
What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?: Long-term effects.

Efficacy of ketogenic diet on cancer-related variables in adults

Study design: Meta-analysis – Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Population: Adults with cancer in RCTs
Country: International
Period: Trials of 4-16 weeks
Sample size: 8 RCTs in review, 7 in meta-analysis
Inclusion and exclusion criteria: RCTs, adults >=18 years

Results: Ketogenic diet decreased glucose levels but did not significantly improve cholesterol, IGF-1, weight or quality of life. Authors: insufficient evidence for a definitive link between the ketogenic diet and cancer-related parameters.
Absolute risks: not reported
Authors' conclusion: Insufficient evidence to establish a definitive link between the ketogenic diet and cancer-related parameters; more research needed.

Mostly null results apart from glucose.

RCT-level evidence that even a well-studied anti-cancer diet has not shown convincing effects on cancer-related outcomes.

I-CAN-103 reports more positive metabolic results.

Moderate.

RCT evidence does not support diet as a cancer treatment.

Multidimensional assessment
Multidimensional assessment
Authenticity of the source	verified
Methodological quality	moderate
Risk of bias	some concerns
Precision of results	low
Directness	indirect
Reproducibility	partly replicated
Consistency with the overall evidence	mixed
Regional transferability	moderate
Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)	not applicable

Long-term, survival-powered trials.