Ketogenic diet therapy in adults with brain tumours presented by Sue Wood, Specialist Dietitian, UK
Sue Wood is a registered dietitian based in the United Kingdom. In 2008 Susan witnessed the life-changing effect that the ketogenic diet had on a young adult with drug-resistant epilepsy.
This changed her career path dramatically and since 2009 she has worked alongside the UK-registered charity Matthew’s Friends, supporting clients and their neurology teams using the ketogenic diet. In 2011 she joined the newly formed Matthew’s Friends Clinics and continues to lead on the treatment of adults with drug-resistant epilepsy.
More recently Sue has also been working with neuro-oncology teams to support adults with brain tumours using the ketogenic diet.
Glioma cell tumours are notoriously difficult to treat due to their cellular heretogenity. One trait that these cancer cells have is an increased reliance on glucose, so treatments which effect cellular glucose metabolism may be an effective method to improve current therapies.
The ketogenic diet, caloric restriction, and fasting all cause a reduction in blood glucose and an increase in blood ketones. These metabolic changes have demonstrated improved survival in animal models of malignant gliomas and additionally can potentiate the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapies and radiation treatment.
The ketogenic diet is a complex diet requiring thorough understanding, careful planning, motivation and support. Dietitians with experience in the ketogenic diet are well positioned to play an important role in the neuro-oncology team.
In Sue’s webinar she describes the protocol, practicalities and patient experience for clients using the ketogenic diet as part of their cancer treatment
You can purchase the full recording of Sue's presentation here