Chapter - Dietary Strategy for Cancer Therapy - Amino Acid Restrictions and beyond

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, cancer is one of the leading causes of death, particularly in developing countries. The malignant proliferation and survival of cancer cells rely on the biosyntheses of proteins, nucleotides, and fatty acids. Accumulating pieces of evidence demonstrate that amino acid restrictions are valuable for cancer interventions. Meanwhile, folk remedies using dietary strategies are abused and lack solid rationale. To clarify what, why, and how the potential strategy is, here, we update and recommend a dietary strategy for cancer therapy: the intermittent dietary lysine restriction with the normal maize (lysine deficiency) as an intermittent staple food for days, weeks, or even months, will be a feasible strategy for cancer intervention. In addition, dietary and immunomodulatory supplements, such as low protein starchy foods, vegetables, fruit, and mushrooms, may serve as supplements to satisfy the daily needs of micronutrients and the plethora of dishes.

Cite as