They found that a fasting-simulating diet could be an ally against breast cancer -

The idea started with researchers from the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.Experiments in rats and in the control group showed that reducing sugars and proteins in the diet helps slow the progression of the type of intestine.

Fasting was not just an act or a part of ancient rituals, but entered the world of science as a possible way to fight breast cancer.

A team of scientists from the Netherlands, Italy and Spain hypothesized that fasting could increase the effectiveness of treatment for hormone-dependent breast tumors.

The results of the experiments, published in the journal Nature, revealed that fasting or a diet that mimics fasting not only slows the progression of tumors, but also activates signals in cells that block growth.

According to the scientists, "our results show that the glucocorticoid plays an important role in the enercrine in cancer cancer and evaluate the Corticosteroid administration as adjuao."

This means that fasting can activate the glucocorticoid receptor in the tumor, which improves the outcome of hormone therapy.

This suggests that the addition of corticosteroids to treatment may enhance its effectiveness.They are looking to study this association in future clinical trials.

The research was carried out by Nuno Padrão, TESA Seviranon, Sebastian Grengoricchio, Ana Guiundro and an international team.

He is a researcher at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, the University of Genoa, the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, the Policlinico San Martino in Genoa, the Oncode Institute and the Institute of Molecular Oncology in Milan.

New challenges in breast cancer

Breast cancer with positive hormone receptors dominates the diagnoses of this disease.About 75% of cases fall into this category, whose growth depends on hormones such as estrogen.

Hormonal drugs are used because they slow down the development of worms, while they are still larger.

Science is looking for ways to make existing treatments last longer.This defense does, less than those few returns.

European researchers tried to figure out why fasting seems to stimulate the hormone treatment from within.

This is how fasting worked in the experiments

The team tested it on mice as well as on patients who were given fasting diets specially designed for the study.

They used mice implanted with breast cancer tumors with hormone receptors and instituted a 48-hour fasting cycle with regular feeding.

There are two groups: only one hormone maintenance and the other, a combination of fasting and maintenance.Duo of fasting and medicine to prevent the growth of strong tumors.

"The house that has increased the information provided for the default settings and resistance delay," says Péstensi.

Next, they analyzed tumor samples and found that fasting activated specific pathways related to glucocorticoid and progesterone receptors.These molecules regulate the body's stress response and sex hormones.

The team also conducted trials in patients on a diet that mimicked fasting, was low in sugar and protein, and was based on plant foods.

By checking hormones, they found increases in progesterone and cortisol, two signs that metabolism and internal states have changed after the diet.

In patients, fasting produced results comparable to those seen in animals: tumors slowed their growth and the signals that promote their progression decreased.

When experts block the receptorsid glucocorticid, the effect disappears.

Researchers also tested a drug that produced the same recovery and achieved similar benefits, but without the animals having to lose weight.

This approach was also applied to tumors from patients, and in all cases a clever fasting or diet plan showed improved response.

Whenever the glucocorticoid receptors were activated, the proliferation of cancer cells was reduced.

Recommendations and care after opening

The group recommended testing the controlled use of corticosteroids or similar mechanisms, although more studies are needed in humans to confirm their effectiveness and safety.

The study warned that strict fasting can be difficult for many people and that long-term use of cortisone can have negative consequences.

They suggest that fasting or diets that mimic its effect may give hormonal therapy more power against breast cancer, although all treatments may need to be modified and individualized before being applied on a large scale.

When asked by Science Media Center UK, Dimitrios Koutoukidis, Associate Professor of Dietary Sciences, Obesity and Behavioral and Dietitian at Oxford University said: "These results were obtained in mice and a small group of patients in an uncontrolled study. Although they provide valuable information for future research on dietary constraintan accident diet."