Scientists have identified a link between a ketogenic diet and tumors of the small intestine
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- Scientists have identified a link between a ketogenic diet and tumors of the small intestine
A ketogenic diet can have different effects on the development of tumors in neighboring parts of the intestine. In experiments on genetically predisposed mice, such a diet accelerated the formation of tumors in the small intestine, but suppressed their growth in the colon. This was announced on July 16 by the Medical Xpress portal.
A ketogenic diet involves a high fat content, a minimum amount of carbohydrates and a normal or reduced proportion of protein. With this diet, the body begins to actively use fatty acids instead of glucose, and ketone bodies are formed during their processing.
The authors compared mice that received a ketogenic, control, and high-calorie diet with a lot of fat. In animals on a ketogenic diet, tumors of the small intestine occurred more often than with a standard diet. Their frequency was found to be comparable or even higher than in mice fed an obesity-promoting diet.
Additional experiments showed that the development of tumors was not associated with ketone bodies, but with the oxidation of fatty acids in intestinal cells. This process activated proteins of the PPAR family, which stimulated the proliferation of stem cells. This reaction helps to repair the mucosa after damage, but excessive cell activity increases the likelihood of malignant changes.
"Having more stem cells means that the small intestine can recover better after injury. However, the downside is that more active stem cells can lead to the formation of tumors," explained Omer Yilmaz, senior author of the study and director of the MIT Stem Cell Initiative.
At the same time, the same diet suppressed the growth of tumors in the colon. Scientists intend to find out why fat metabolism causes opposite effects in two adjacent parts of the digestive system.
On September 23, 2026, Evgenia Ivanov, an endocrinologist, internist, and nutritionist of the highest category at the NCC NCC No. 2 of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "RNC named after Academician B.V. Petrovsky", spoke about the health risks of following a keto diet. The specialist emphasized that such a diet has a positive short-term effect. According to her, long-term risks may include problems with the cardiovascular system, nutritional deficiencies, kidney strain, and temporary side effects during the adjustment period.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
