I also did it myself. 60yo; stage 3, grade 3 TNBC; 3.7 x 2.7 cm mass, plus 18 lymph nodes. I did not have enough weight on my bones to fast for 3 days. However, I did water-only fast for 30+ hours the day before and day of chemo. I could easily get my glucose down into the 60’s. I usually brought a bag of nuts with me to treatment bc I knew that when I got the steroid, even at half dose, it would effectively end the fast and I could eat. Anyway, it worked for me. I was never sick…not once. I was sleepy the day of treatment and had to manage some constipation for a couple of days, but otherwise my life was normal. The biggest issue was that I could not lift as much weight at the gym and had to adopt a “low and slow” routine (prior to diagnosis, I could easily dead-lift 150-175 with a PR of 205). Also, I did not lose all my hair. Even after 10 treatments of Carboplatin and Paclitaxol, I still had about 25% of hair left. I did choose to take IVM & Fenben along with other supportive supplements. The tumor disappeared after 2 chemo treatments. By the 10th treatment, I demanded an MRI….all cancer “RESOLVED”.
I wouldn’t have met your criteria due to cachexia and low BMI, but I did it myself, with no medical supervision - and it worked (water fasted 3 days around infusions).
5.5cm HER2+ breast cancer tumour, certain mastectomy, to NED (clear MRI) in 11 weeks, 4 infusions.
Excellent breakdown, Dr. Marik. The way fasting creates a 'differential stress resistance'—protecting healthy cells while making tumors more vulnerable—is the perfect foundation for metabolic oncology. It's the ultimate shield during chemo.
Excellent work as usual. Something to be said here: patients that fast with water only are at higher risk of electrolyte disturbance. These symptoms are common when patients undergo fasting without appropriate mineral replacement.
As ketosis progresses to autophagy, the body will burn through fluid and minerals, so it's essential to get this right.
SGLT2s will offset the hyperglycemia from steroids but increase the risk of dehydration.
I'll often have folks sandwich their fast around their infusions, starting with 12hrs before and after. Most patients report minimal side effects and end up extending their fasts on both sides due to how it makes them feel.
If concurrently using propranolol as part of the regimen, this can increase orthostasis symptoms so keep that in mind.
Thank you Dr. Marik. I’ve never had cancer and pray that I never will. But having lost my husband to esophageal cancer and brain tumors, I’m grateful for the excellent information and will share it.
Thank You, Dr. Marik. I appreciate the teasing out of differences between time restricted eating, pre-chemo fasting and fasting mimicry diets before chemo infusions.
Time restricted eating for those without cancer is certainly a good idea.
To what extent is fasting for cancer patients to do with starving the cancer of glucose, and to what extent can a ketogenic diet achieve the same results (without some of the drawbacks of fasting)?
I also did it myself. 60yo; stage 3, grade 3 TNBC; 3.7 x 2.7 cm mass, plus 18 lymph nodes. I did not have enough weight on my bones to fast for 3 days. However, I did water-only fast for 30+ hours the day before and day of chemo. I could easily get my glucose down into the 60’s. I usually brought a bag of nuts with me to treatment bc I knew that when I got the steroid, even at half dose, it would effectively end the fast and I could eat. Anyway, it worked for me. I was never sick…not once. I was sleepy the day of treatment and had to manage some constipation for a couple of days, but otherwise my life was normal. The biggest issue was that I could not lift as much weight at the gym and had to adopt a “low and slow” routine (prior to diagnosis, I could easily dead-lift 150-175 with a PR of 205). Also, I did not lose all my hair. Even after 10 treatments of Carboplatin and Paclitaxol, I still had about 25% of hair left. I did choose to take IVM & Fenben along with other supportive supplements. The tumor disappeared after 2 chemo treatments. By the 10th treatment, I demanded an MRI….all cancer “RESOLVED”.
Very cool story. Do you want to write this up for the case series section of my substack.. just a thought. Paul
Yep. Already on it, Dr. Marik
I wouldn’t have met your criteria due to cachexia and low BMI, but I did it myself, with no medical supervision - and it worked (water fasted 3 days around infusions).
5.5cm HER2+ breast cancer tumour, certain mastectomy, to NED (clear MRI) in 11 weeks, 4 infusions.
Powerful stuff.
That’s fantastic!!!
A remarkable result. I share to encourage others. It is possible.
Excellent breakdown, Dr. Marik. The way fasting creates a 'differential stress resistance'—protecting healthy cells while making tumors more vulnerable—is the perfect foundation for metabolic oncology. It's the ultimate shield during chemo.
Thanks. We seem to be closely aligned. You can e-mail me anytime at pmarik@protonmail.com. Paul
Thank you, Dr. Marik. I truly value our alignment in this vital mission for medical freedom.
Controlled Fasting creates the conditions for healing
Should be part of every healing plan
Big fan of fasting, would love to discuss this with you someday.
Sure. I cured my type II diabetes with intermittent fasting. I eat one meal a day.
Excellent work as usual. Something to be said here: patients that fast with water only are at higher risk of electrolyte disturbance. These symptoms are common when patients undergo fasting without appropriate mineral replacement.
As ketosis progresses to autophagy, the body will burn through fluid and minerals, so it's essential to get this right.
SGLT2s will offset the hyperglycemia from steroids but increase the risk of dehydration.
I'll often have folks sandwich their fast around their infusions, starting with 12hrs before and after. Most patients report minimal side effects and end up extending their fasts on both sides due to how it makes them feel.
If concurrently using propranolol as part of the regimen, this can increase orthostasis symptoms so keep that in mind.
Thanks..
Thank you Dr. Marik. I’ve never had cancer and pray that I never will. But having lost my husband to esophageal cancer and brain tumors, I’m grateful for the excellent information and will share it.
Thanks…Paul
Thank You, Dr. Marik. I appreciate the teasing out of differences between time restricted eating, pre-chemo fasting and fasting mimicry diets before chemo infusions.
Time restricted eating for those without cancer is certainly a good idea.
To what extent is fasting for cancer patients to do with starving the cancer of glucose, and to what extent can a ketogenic diet achieve the same results (without some of the drawbacks of fasting)?
Good question.