High-fibre plant-based diet may stop progression of incurable cancer

Eating a high-fibre,

plant-based diet

may delay progression to multiple myeloma, an incurable

blood cancer

, finds a study by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).

Multiple myeloma

is a cancer that forms in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. The healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies that find and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow.
A high fibre diet can fix many issues in the body including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, improve

gut health

and lower risk of type 2 diabetes. It can also help prevent certain types of cancers.
20 people diagnosed with a precancerous blood disorder and an elevated body mass index (BMI), who were basically at a higher risk for developing multiple myeloma participated in the study.
The participants were asked to follow a high-fibre and plant-based meal plan over 12 weeks and also received an additional 24 weeks of dietary coaching.

In the study period, participants were encouraged to eat as much of whole plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes as they wanted.
The

dietary changes

led to major improvements in quality of life, insulin resistance, gut microbiome health, and inflammation of these people. Participants also lost eight percent of their body weight after 12 weeks.
The results were promising as the two participants who had shown signs of advancing disease before the trial reported significant improvement in their disease’s progression.

In all after a year of their participation, none of the participants went on to develop multiple myeloma.
MSK myeloma specialist and NUTRIVENTION study lead, Urvi Shah, MD, presented these findings at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Diego, California.

“This study showcases the power of nutrition—specifically a high fiber plant-based diet—and unlocks a better understanding of how it can lead to improvements in the microbiome and metabolism to build a stronger immune system,” said Dr. Shah. “These findings further support how we as physicians can empower patients, especially those with precancerous conditions, with knowledge on reducing their cancer risk through dietary changes.”
Previous studies have demonstrated a link between multiple myeloma and poor diet and lesser intake of plant foods. Also, individuals with these conditions and a high body mass index (BMI) are twice as likely to progress to multiple myeloma as people with these conditions and a normal BMI.
(Picture courtesy: iStock)