Fasting improves survival of colorectal cancer patients by 20%

Fasting has shown its potential to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by triggering cellular changes that can slow tumor growth, and one study showed a 20 percent improvement in overall survival. However, as cancer development is also influenced by genetic factors, lifestyle changes alone are not enough for prevention. The study is published in the journal PLOS ONE.

How fasting reduces the risk of cancer

Fasting has been shown to activate autophagy, the body’s natural process of clearing damaged cells and regenerating healthy cells. According to a review published in the journal Public Health Toxicology, autophagy plays a key role in preventing cancer by keeping cells healthy and reducing oxidative stress. By cleansing the body of cells that might otherwise become cancerous, fasting helps the body maintain a more stable and sustainable internal environment.

Another benefit is the effect fasting has on the immune system. A study published in the journal Oncotarget found that fasting reduces the polarization of tumor-associated M2-type macrophages in the tumor microenvironment – cells that normally help cancer evade the immune response. This shift may allow the body to more effectively detect and destroy abnormal cells before they proliferate.

A review by Bowel Cancer Australia describes how time-restricted eating and diets that mimic fasting can help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. In some cases, fasting protects healthy cells while cancer cells become more sensitive to treatment. Although this research is still in its early stages, it opens the door to using fasting as a supportive strategy in treatment planning.

Starvation is not always without risks. An MIT study reported in Plos one found that while fasting followed by a meal promotes intestinal cell regeneration, it can also accelerate tumor formation in people with a genetic predisposition. This emphasizes the need for an individualized approach – what is beneficial for one person may harm another, especially if the genetic risks are unknown.

Interval fasting (IF) is a general term for eating patterns that alternate periods of eating and fasting. One common type is time-limited eating, such as the 16/8 method – fasting for 16 hours and eating for 8 hours.

A well-known example is Ramadan fasting, involving daily fasting from sunrise to sunset, which has attracted scientific interest due to its potential health benefits. One study using metabolic risk profiles predicted that Ramadan-type fasting could reduce the relative risk of colorectal cancer by about 2.4%.

Other approaches to interval fasting include the 5:2 model (normal eating for 5 days, calorie restriction on 2 days), “”Eat, Stop, Eat“” (24-hour fasts once or twice a week), fasting every other day, and the warrior diet (light meals during the day, one large meal in the evening). These methods can promote cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of cancer.

Despite the many benefits, fasting is not suitable for everyone. People with diabetes, taking certain medications, or suffering from eating disorders should avoid it without a doctor’s recommendation. Be sure to consult with a health care provider before beginning fasting.

Keeping a healthy lifestyle is not enough: don’t forget early screening

It has been proven that fasting can have real benefits, but lifestyle changes alone are not enough to prevent colorectal cancer. Genetics play a crucial role, and many people at high risk have no obvious symptoms or family history. This is why early detection through genetic screening is so important.

While colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal screening, COLOTECT from BGI Genomics offers a more affordable alternative for early screening. It is a non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test that utilizes next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to detect abnormal DNA methylation patterns in stool samples.

Fasting should be considered as one part of a broader strategy. The combination of a healthy lifestyle that supports long-term health and modern diagnostics that detect problems early is the surest defense in the fight against cancer.