18/08/2022
Following evidence that the ketogenic diet can be used as an aid to treatment that mobilizes the immune system against cancer, Ella Lamelbaum Institute for Melanoma and Immunooncology headed by Prof. Jacob Schachter at the Sheba Medical Center has started a new clinical trial with the aim of evaluating the effect of nutritional treatment with the ketogenic diet on the characteristics of the immune system in patients with a history of melanoma (stage 1-3, without evidence of disease, who are being monitored in the hospital).
The ketogenic diet is rich in fat and low in carbohydrates, when the body uses ketones (a byproduct of fats from the diet) as a source of energy instead of sugar and is based mainly on animal and plant fats (meat, chicken, fish, eggs, fatty dairy products, olive oil, avocado, tahini, nuts and almonds) without restriction of proteins and calories compared to a small amount of carbohydrates per day.
The participants in the study must apply the principles of the ketogenic diet for eight weeks, during which they will be in close contact with the institute's dietician.
Before starting the diet, the research participants will meet with the dietitian to assess their ability to comply with the ketogenic diet, receive a detailed explanation and an information booklet (recipe booklet, list of websites, guidelines and rules for application), weighing and height measurement. The weight will be monitored on a monthly basis
In addition, meetings will be held on a weekly basis via remote access (video/telephone visit) with the dietitian for nutritional assessment, adherence to rules and monitoring of eating habits by filling out a food consumption frequency questionnaire and eating diaries.
Before the start of the study, blood tests will be conducted for the participants and then once a month until the end of the study (four times in total). Measurement of ketones in the urine will be done once a day using a home dipstick and sugar measurement using a glucometer will be done once a week. Stool samples will be taken at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the study.
At the end of the diet, instructions will be given to gradually return to a normal diet, or to continue the current diet if the participant expresses a desire to do so.
The clinical study is led by Keren Porfer, nutritionist at the Ella Institute.
We will be happy to announce trial results later.
