Therapeutic Fasting in Reducing Chemotherapy Side Effects in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis including randomized controlled trials
PubMed 37375570 · doi:10.3390/nu15122666
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase through November 2022 evaluated fasting-like regimens for reducing chemotherapy toxicity in cancer patients. Eligible designs included clinical trials and case series comparing fasting to conventional diet or other comparators. Nine studies met inclusion criteria, five of which were randomized controlled trials.
What was found
Pooled analysis of fasting regimens compared to non-fasting demonstrated no statistically significant difference in overall chemotherapy side effects (RR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.77–1.59; I² = 10%, p = 0.60). Similarly, there was no significant reduction in neutropenia risk (RR = 1.33; 95% CI: 0.90–1.97; I² = 0%, p = 0.15). Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings.
Why it matters
Despite popular interest in fasting-mimicking diets during oncology treatments, current synthesized trial evidence does not support fasting as an effective strategy to alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse events.
Limits
The total number of included studies was small (9 studies total, only 5 randomized). The abstract does not report the total participant sample size, specific cancer types, fasting protocols (duration/type), or chemotherapy regimens evaluated.
Cited by
- contradicts Fasting before or after chemotherapy reduces side effects.