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# Fasting protects cancer patients against chemotherapy
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/fasting_protects_cancer_patients_against_chemotherapy_1208160409/
- Published: 2016-12-08T17:01:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T14:42:22.000Z
- Description: A report on nature.com says cancer patients can fast to cut calories and protein and protect themselves against chemotherapy's toxicity, with five days of fasting followed by normal eating avoiding weight loss. The American Cancer Society advises the opposite, the report notes.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Lifestyle, Health News, #vivvo-import

Cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy should reduce their intake of calories and protein by fasting because this practice can help protect patients against the toxicity of chemotherapy, according to a report published on [nature.com](http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v30/n30/abs/onc201191a.html?ref=foodconsumer.org).

The report indicates that fasting for 5 days followed by eating a normal diet can protect patients against chemotherapy without losing weight. 

In contrast, following a long-term calorie-restricted diet with 20 to 40 % calories reduced can lead to weight loss even though it can produce a similar yet moderate beneficial outcome. 

Keep in mind that American Cancer Society recommendds that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy should increase intake of calories and protein, according to the report.