Half-Carb Fasting Diet: A Post-Treatment Nutrition Strategy for Cancer Survivors
The half-sugar fasting diet, through a low-GI diet and intermittent fasting, helps reduce insulin and IGF-1 secretion, decreases the nutrient source for cancer cells, and lowers the risk of recurrence. It is a suitable dietary strategy for cancer patients after treatment.
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In Hong Kong, many cancer survivors are looking for practical dietary strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence. Recent scientific studies suggest that the half-carb fasting diet—a combination of reduced carbohydrate intake and intermittent fasting—offers a promising, safe, and sustainable approach.
What Is the Half-Carb Diet?
The half-carb diet does not mean eliminating carbohydrates completely. Instead, it involves reducing staple carbohydrate portions by half and replacing refined starches with natural, low-GI alternatives such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, or yam. This helps prevent rapid blood sugar spikes and reduces the fuel available for cancer cell growth.
Why Combine with Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting, particularly fasting for 13 hours or more overnight, has been shown to reduce both blood glucose and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)—a hormone closely linked to cancer cell growth.
A practical way to implement this is by avoiding late-night snacks after dinner and resuming eating only at breakfast the next day.
Clinical Research Evidence
- A study published in JAMA Oncology reported that breast cancer survivors who fasted for at least 13 hours overnight had a 36% lower risk of recurrence.
- Research also shows that this approach helps regulate blood sugar, stabilize hormone levels, and improve long-term metabolic health.
How to Put It Into Practice
Cancer survivors can follow the 2-1-1 plate method:
- 2 portions of vegetables
- 1 portion of protein (fish, lean meat, tofu, or eggs)
- ½ portion of whole grains or starchy foods
Additional tips:
- Avoid sugary drinks and desserts.
- Incorporate regular physical activity.
- Ensure adequate sleep and stress management to support overall immunity.
Conclusion
The half-carb fasting diet is a practical, science-based strategy to help cancer survivors regulate metabolism, stabilize blood sugar, and potentially reduce recurrence risk. In Hong Kong, more patients are adopting this approach as part of a balanced, long-term recovery plan.
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References
- Chlebowski, R. T., et al. (2014). Dietary patterns and breast cancer recurrence. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 23(9), 1601–1610.
- Maruthur, N. M., et al. (2016). Low-carbohydrate diets and health outcomes: a systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 164(7), 493–501.
- Marinac, C. R., et al. (2016). Prolonged nightly fasting and breast cancer recurrence: Findings from the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living Study. JAMA Oncology, 2(8), 1049–1055.