An interesting study (published in 2009, in the Journal of Gerontology, Biological Sciences) investigated the effects of immune function after a 6-month diet (10-30% calorie reduced) in overweight participants. The authors found that after this short study, the participants developed a significant improvement in their immune function. This is likely related to the biological effects of calorie restriction on individuals who are overweight, leading to hormonal changes that improve immune function. Long-term consumption of higher calorie (fat & carbohydrate) diets seem to be associated with increased risk of developing a wide-range of cancers, cancer progression and recurrence.
During my integrative oncology counseling sessions with my patients, we spend a great deal of time discussing nutrition and dietary factors (and physical activity/exercise) that may improve their body’s ability to prevent and fight cancer. Read more about these important integrative oncology principles.
