Fiber is the key.
New research suggests that individuals at high risk for bone marrow cancer may be able to reduce their chances of developing the disease through a high-fiber diet. The study specifically looked at patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a bone marrow abnormality that can lead to multiple myeloma, a common form of blood cancer.
The small-scale study, involving just 20 MGUS patients, found that increasing fiber intake through dietary changes may help slow the progression to multiple myeloma. The researchers noted that previous studies have shown that diets high in meat and low in fiber can increase cancer risk, which aligns with the new findings.
Dr. Urvi Shah, a myeloma specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, led the study and emphasized the importance of empowering patients with knowledge to reduce their cancer risk through dietary adjustments. The team presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Diego.
The study focused on overweight or obese MGUS patients, as obesity is a known risk factor for the progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma. Over 12 weeks, participants adopted a plant-based diet rich in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds, and whole grains. They also received six months of dietary coaching. Participants were encouraged to eat freely as long as they followed the dietary guidelines, leading to an average weight loss of 8%. Additionally, improvements were seen in insulin resistance, gut microbiome health, and overall quality of life, all of which were linked to a slowdown in the progression of MGUS.
Two patients who showed signs of MGUS progression to cancer experienced a significant improvement in their condition. After one year, none of the participants had developed multiple myeloma. Shah’s team pointed to earlier animal studies that showed a similar high-fiber diet helped prevent myeloma development in mice, further supporting the role of nutrition in reducing cancer risk.
A larger study involving 150 MGUS patients is planned to confirm these results. As the findings were presented at a medical conference, they are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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