Intermittent fasting in ovarian cancer

[Tanvi1]

Hey everyone.. I had a question. My mother's ca125 has been increased a bit. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was on bevacizumab ever since 2nd time treatment. So, now I have requested her to start doing intermittent fasting. If anyone has any experiences related to intermittent fasting then please do share..

[Lyndy]

Tanvi1, unless your Mum’s oncologist has told her to fast then I don’t think you should be interfering in her treatment. Women with OC need to eat well and keep their strength up. I am sure you are very anxious about her, it’s very hard for you to watch but it is her illness and her treatment. Let her enjoy your support, but don’t put pressure on her to do something that her oncologist hasn’t sanctioned please xx

[Tanvi1 in reply to Lyndy]

Hey Lyndy,

Thanks for your response. Will definitely consider your advice.

[27-359]

Yes I did this and really think it helped with side effects. If you read my old posts you will see how enthusiastic I was about it. The theory is that fasting causes cells to shut down to protect themselves, but cancer cells are unable to do this. They get destroyed, but damage to normal cells is minimal.

I would recommend a book by Valter Longo.I

Jenny

[bamboo89 in reply to 27-359]

Are you referring to fasting at various points during active treatment such as chemotherapy, or do you mean intermittent fasting ongoing when not on treatment? Can you clarify please?

Miriam

[27-359 in reply to bamboo89]

I fasted when having chemo. Three days before, the day of chemo, and one day after. Five in all. I ate home made water based vegetable soups and some fruit.I have lately been looking at the benefits of leaving a sixteen hour gap between evening meal and lunch time meal. It is all very interesting.

When I had my first chemo, I was sixty eight and was very strict in my fasting. My latest chemo, I was seventy three so was not quite so strict about it.

There is loads of research seeming to show many positive effects.

Jenny

[bamboo89 in reply to 27-359]

Thanks. Fasting during chemo is well known, but I think the question refers to intermittent fasting when not having chemo and the possible effectiveness of that. Which, so far as I know, confers no benefits at all, though restricting food intake inside an eight hour window daily has other health benefits, in particular for glucose problems.

[SUE7777]

I would not recommend this, I was told by the oncologist to eat healthy meals, there is no evidence that intermittent fasting helps. It's best to follow the advice of the onc as they are the experts. I totally agree with Lyndy's advice. I understand why you are doing it, your trying to help and you mean well. All the best Sue xx

[Ruebacelle]

Hi. I did 1 day fast day of chemo on taxol. Never lost weight or appetite in fact was eager to eat. There is no double blind study on this its really anecdotal. But my internist approved and my onc was fine with it. It is my feeling that it limited side effects. She should do what feels right after researching and consults. Hugs from paris

[Ruebacelle]

Also oncs are chemists and we hope are up to date w the latest science trials etc. But they slept thru biochemistry and are not well versed on it. If you have a good internist i wd trust their consult

[Cumbrianlass5]

I have spoken to three different oncologists at three different hospital cancer centres. All three opposed fasting and said I should eat well but healthily. Let your mother decide what is best for her. I know you area worried but please dont push her to do something which she is not happy with x

[TarbonNZ]

Hi. I do intermittent fasting full time, whether I am on chemo or off it. My Oncologist is aware and has no issues with this. I decided for all health reasons that it would have a positive impact. I fast from 8 at night until 1-2pm the next day, except for a hot water drink in the morning with fresh lime and lemon juice, a bit of ginger and honey. I drink this to boost my immune system. I also have the same drink at night before I go to bed. I was diagnosed stage 3c hg serous early 2017. I am currently doing 5th line treatment. My cancer is deemed, in the great scheme of things, to be relatively slow growing compared to some people. Whether this is anything to do with my diet etc, I don't know but I certainly live a good life. I do not restrict myself in the 6-7 hours I have for eating, but you do lose the urge to over eat anywayand takes awsy sugar cravings. Hope this helps. Therese

[Sashay2020 in reply to TarbonNZ]

Thanks for your perspective, Therese. If I had watched what I ate, I would not have gained 30 pounds (2.14 stone) since finishing frontline chemo ☹️

Sashay

[TarbonNZ in reply to Sashay2020]

Don't blame yourself Sashay. I have put on 7kgs even with the way I eat. Some of the chemos do affect your metabolism, and no matter what you do it sticks like glue. The worse one for me was gemcitabine. It becomes very frustrating. 🙄

[Sashay2020 in reply to TarbonNZ]

Thanks for responding. I’ll try to not let it get me down.