Introduction

In recent years, interest in short-term and intermittent fasting (in various forms such as 5:2 or alternate-day fasting) has grown significantly—both for its benefits in weight control and for its anti-inflammatory effects. In the field of oncology, numerous scientific studies have shown that these nutritional strategies can influence the sensitivity of tumors to conventional treatments by reducing their toxicity while simultaneously enhancing the effectiveness of therapies.

In the following sections, we will examine how these dietary strategies work and what benefits they offer when combined with chemotherapy, particularly in relation to the control of glycation and inflammation.

1. How Short-Term or Alternate Fasting Affects Glucose Metabolism

There are various forms of intermittent fasting (short-term, alternate-day, and 5:2), but the underlying mechanisms are similar:

• Reduction of inflammation: During fasting phases, blood sugar levels drop, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory molecules.
• Activation of ketones: Since the body is not continuously dependent on glucose, it begins to use fat reserves and produces substances like ketone bodies, which serve as metabolic signals for regulating inflammation.
• Improved insulin sensitivity: The fluctuation in carbohydrate intake makes cells more responsive to insulin, leading to a better balance in glucose metabolism.

Originally, these techniques were primarily studied for conditions such as asthma and arthritis. Only later was their positive impact on glucose regulation, weight management, and more recently, the modulation of cancer processes recognized.

2. Glycation and the “Tumoral Armor”

Many recent studies (late 2021: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35044789/ and early 2022: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.abj2807) confirm that a lack of sugar promotes glycation and glycosylation. These phenomena create a kind of “protective shield” for tumor cells:

• Reduced immune defense: An excess of sugar allows tumors to better “camouflage” themselves, making them less vulnerable to attacks by the immune system.
• Impact on therapy: When glycation levels are high, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be less effective; for this reason, controlling blood sugar levels is crucial. The realization that techniques like short-term fasting can reduce blood sugar spikes has encouraged researchers to integrate these methods into oncological protocols—with promising results.

3. Integrating Fasting with Chemotherapy

The idea of preparing the body for chemotherapy through short fasting or targeted calorie restriction has been studied by various research groups:

• Study in Biomedicines: It showed that three days of calorie restriction before or after chemotherapy reduced kidney toxicity from a very potent chemotherapy drug (cisplatin) while simultaneously increasing treatment effectiveness. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32028692/
• Metformin and low-carbohydrate diet: In some experimental protocols, patients took Metformin (a blood sugar-lowering drug) overnight and followed a low-sugar diet on the day of chemotherapy, which amplified the treatment’s benefits.
• Long-term perspectives: It is highly likely that integrating these dietary strategies will become common practice in the future, based on the individual’s nutritional profile and glycation levels.

4. Knowing Your Own Glycation Levels for Personalized Therapy

The relationship between sugar and cancer is increasingly documented by research, and the ability to measure one’s glycation level offers a valuable tool for prevention and treatment support.

• Specific tests: These assess sugar- and food-related inflammation (e.g., the PerMè test), helping define a tailored nutritional approach.
• Integrated approach: In various medical centers such as SMA, the nutritional aspect is heavily emphasized for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to optimize treatment outcomes and better protect healthy tissue.

Conclusion

An increasing number of studies show that combining chemotherapy with appropriate nutrition—particularly through forms of intermittent or short-term fasting—can deliver highly promising results: side effects are reduced, medication efficacy is enhanced, and the immune system receives additional support.

With the focus on glycation and inflammation, nutrition is taking on a key role in modern oncology, evolving from a mere “supportive measure” to an integral component of current and future treatment strategies. GEK Lab offers personalized tests and advanced analyses of glycation and inflammation levels, providing valuable tools for defining individual strategies in collaboration with oncologists and nutritionists.

The ultimate goal is to help patients manage their illness with greater awareness and derive maximum benefit from available therapies. This also opens up possibilities for developing innovative therapeutic approaches.