Fiber-rich diet may help prevent rare incurable blood cancer: Study

A team of researchers in the US has shown that a high-fibre, plant-based dietary intervention can delay the progression of multiple myeloma, a type of rare and incurable blood cancer that affects the bone marrow.

The team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) has reported the results of the first clinical trial in this regard. “This study demonstrates the power of nutrition – particularly a high-fibre plant-based diet – and highlights a better understanding of how it impacts the microbiome to build a stronger immune system,” said MSK myeloma specialist Dr And can improve metabolism.” Urvi Shah, who presented these findings at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Diego, California.

He further said that these findings support how we as physicians can provide patients, especially those with pre-cancerous conditions, with the knowledge to reduce their cancer risk through dietary changes. Can make you stronger together. The study enrolled 20 participants who were at risk for developing multiple myeloma due to a precancerous blood disorder and an increased body mass index (BMI). They received a high-fiber, plant-based diet for 12 weeks and 24 weeks of coaching.

Two participants with disease that was progressing before the study showed significant improvement in their disease progression trajectory. Additionally, one year after enrollment, no participants had progressed to multiple myeloma.

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During the study, participants were encouraged to eat as much as they wanted, as long as it was whole plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes.

With these dietary changes, there were significant improvements in quality of life, insulin resistance, gut microbiome health, and inflammation. On average, participants lost eight percent of their body weight after 12 weeks. These findings were confirmed in a smoldering myeloma mouse model, where 44 percent of mice fed a high-fiber diet did not progress to myeloma, compared to the standard diet, where all mice progressed to myeloma.