Ketogenic Diet & Cancer Cells: An Interactive Explorer

Cancer cells often have a "sweet tooth"! Many types of cancer cells are highly dependent on glucose (sugar) for energy. They use a process called glycolysis at a very high rate, even when oxygen is plentiful (this is known as the "Warburg Effect"). They often have more glucose transporters on their surface, allowing them to absorb glucose much faster than most healthy cells.

Healthy cells are metabolically flexible. When glucose is scarce, such as during a ketogenic diet, healthy cells can readily switch to using ketone bodies as their primary fuel source. Their mitochondria (the cell's powerhouses) are well-equipped to burn ketones efficiently for energy.

Cancer cells often struggle with ketones. Due to defects in their mitochondria or other metabolic changes, many cancer cells are less able to use ketone bodies effectively for energy. By significantly reducing glucose availability and increasing ketones, a ketogenic diet aims to create an environment where cancer cells may be "starved" of their preferred fuel, while healthy cells continue to thrive on ketones.

Disclaimer: This is a simplified model for educational purposes. Cancer is a complex group of diseases, and individual responses can vary greatly. Dietary interventions for cancer should always be discussed with and supervised by qualified healthcare professionals. This tool is not medical advice.