A vegetarian diet for two months can improve the quality of life. Front. nutrition

A healthy vegetarian diet improved quality of life, reduced fatigue, and reduced cardiovascular risk in women with breast cancer. This was shown by a study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition (Front. nutr). Scientists analyzed the data of 30 patients with stage 4 breast cancer. During two months, half of the participants ate as usual, and the other half ate the foods recommended by the scientists. The women managed to meet 95% of the recommendations. The second group of women's diet consisted exclusively of plant foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains (including whole grain pasta), legumes (beans), potatoes, nuts and seeds. Participants agreed to avoid animal products (meat, eggs and dairy). They also took multivitamins. There were no calorie or meal time restrictions. During the diet, the women managed to lose some weight. This is important because weight gain is common during breast cancer treatment. This increases levels of insulin and sex hormones, which can promote tumor growth. Participants also saw a decrease in inflammation, indicating a decrease in the growth factor IGF-1, which is associated with many types of cancer. Hypothetically, this could mean that a vegetarian diet could affect the success of cancer treatment. The scientists advised people, especially those taking any medication, to discuss any dietary changes with their doctor. They also noted that substituting five to ten recipes for plant-based dishes is enough to improve health.