Fasting cure cancer?

The theoretical basis of fasting to cure diseases is that the body will have to consume energy to maintain its existence, so some inflammatory tumors… will disappear.

Fasting to cure diseases is a matter of concern for many people. In Vietnam and some countries in the world such as Japan and France, some people have cured themselves of some diseases by fasting.

According to Dr. Hoang Kim Thanh, National Institute of Nutrition, current medicine does not reject or criticize fasting as a method of treatment, but it also does not encourage it. The reason is that the process of fasting for a long time will lead to some unusual developments in the body. Therefore, there needs to be research to prove that these developments are not in a negative direction that affects health.

In addition, the human body consists of many organs and parts that always need to be provided with energy and nutrients to survive and function. Prolonged fasting depletes energy sources and lacks nutrients, which negatively affects a series of internal body functions, especially the brain.

Illustration: WP.

The brain only accounts for one-fortieth of the body's weight, but it consumes one-quarter of the oxygen and one-fifth of the blood that supplies nutrients to the entire body. The brain is the organ that consumes the most energy in the body. If brain cells are starved, it will lead to disorders of the central nervous system, which controls all the body's functions.

When blood sugar levels drop below 80 mg/dl, the body will show signs of fatigue, weakness in limbs, lack of mental clarity, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and sweating. If blood sugar levels drop further, it will lead to coma and critical condition. Maintaining a normal, stable blood sugar level is thanks to the provision of energy-producing foods including starch, fat, and protein.

The theoretical basis of fasting to cure diseases is that when fasting, the body will have to consume its own flesh to maintain its existence, so some tumors, inflammatory tissues... will disappear and be replaced by healthy cells.However, fasting is also difficult to do, the fasting person must have high determination, fasting for 7-8 days or more and strictly follow some principles of eating. This process requires guidance and close monitoring by a medical professional to promptly detect and handle any adverse developments that occur, Dr. Thanh said.

According to Professor Nguyen Ba Duc, former Director of the Central Cancer Hospital, cancer patients fasting, eating brown rice with sesame salt or not eating nutrients... with the hope of "starving" the tumor so that it slows down its growth or dies is an unscientific method.

Professor Duc believes that whether you fast or not, cancer cells will still develop. Even when you fast, eat a poor diet, and your resistance is reduced, cancer cells will develop even faster. Whether cancer cells can develop or not depends on the body's resistance. People with good resistance, a good immune system... will inhibit the development of cancer cells.On the contrary, for patients who are exhausted mentally, physically and immune, cancer cells develop faster. Therefore, if they are hungry, cancer patients will die of exhaustion before dying of the disease, said Professor Duc.

Dr. Thanh emphasized that each body has different adjustments and adaptations, so not everyone can cure their illness by fasting. There are cases of failure leading to dangerous consequences such as pneumonia, physical weakness, fainting, etc.Fasting or extreme dieting is fundamentally contrary to nutritional science.

According to nutritionists, to ensure human health, it is necessary to combine many types of food during the day (about 15-20 different types of food). This will provide enough nutrients needed for the body, maintaining the appropriate weight. Occasionally, you can fast with the advice of a nutritionist and have light meals (low in calories).Fasting for medicinal purposes should be considered for each individual, each type of disease and closely monitored by someone with medical knowledge and experience in this field.

According to VNE