New York, December 8 (IANS). A research has revealed that a high fiber based diet can slow down the progress of multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a rare and incurable type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow.
The team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) has reported the results of the first clinical trial in this regard.
“This study demonstrates the power of nutrition,” said Dr. Urvi Shah, an MSK myeloma specialist who presented the findings at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Diego, California. “It specifically talks about how a high-fiber plant-based diet can build a stronger immune system by improving the microbiome and metabolism.”
“These findings support how we as physicians can empower patients, especially those with pre-cancer conditions,” he said. Their cancer risk can be reduced through dietary changes.”
The study involved 20 participants who had precancerous blood disorders and a high body mass index (BMI) at increased risk of developing multiple myeloma.
They were given a high-fibre plant-based diet for 12 weeks and trained for 24 weeks. Two participants who had disease progression before the study had significant improvements in disease progression.
Additionally, one year after enrollment, none of the participants had developed multiple myeloma.
During the study, participants were encouraged to eat as much as they wanted, as long as they ate whole plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes.
With these dietary changes, there were significant improvements in quality of life, insulin resistance, gut microbiome health, and inflammation.
On average, participants lost eight percent of their body weight after 12 weeks.
These findings were confirmed in a myeloma mouse model, where 44 percent of mice fed a high-fiber diet did not progress to myeloma, while all mice fed a standard diet did progress to myeloma.
These findings were confirmed in a myeloma mouse model, where 44 percent of mice fed a high-fiber diet did not progress to myeloma.
—IANS
MKS/AS
