A vegan diet may offer significant benefits for women with late-stage breast cancer, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Center and Wilmot Cancer Institute. The study found that women who followed a plant-based diet full of whole foods experienced weight loss, improved cholesterol levels, reduced fatigue, and an overall enhancement in well-being.
The study included 30 patients with Stage 4 breast cancer who were stable and able to eat. These patients were divided into two groups: one received standard care, while the other followed a plant-based diet provided by the research team for eight weeks. The diet consisted of fruits, whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and potatoes, and excluded all animal products, oils, and solid fats. Participants were also given a daily multivitamin and encouraged to eat without calorie restrictions.
Compliance with the dietary guidelines was high, with a 95 percent adherence rate. Dr. Thomas M. Campbell, the study’s lead researcher, noted that these dietary changes were feasible and well-tolerated. This strictly plant-based diet aligns with Campbell’s advocacy for plant-based nutrition, highlighted in his co-authored book, “The China Study,” which links high-fat, animal-based diets to increased breast cancer risk.
Participants in the diet group started with an average BMI of 29.7 and lost one to two pounds per week without mandated exercise. This finding is significant because breast cancer patients often gain weight during treatment, which can worsen cancer outcomes. Foods provided in the trial included peanut soba noodles, banana flax muffins, steel-cut oatmeal, sweet potato enchiladas, and Mediterranean white bean soup.
While the study didn’t provide conclusive evidence that the diet could stop cancer progression, it showed promising preliminary results suggesting positive changes in the body. Dr. Campbell emphasized the importance of consulting healthcare providers before making significant dietary changes. Oncology dietitians can assist patients in adapting their diets to their clinical needs.
Long-term implications remain unclear, and further research is needed to determine the sustainability of these findings and their impact on cancer progression and mortality.