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Comment by Broken_Hippo | Hacker News Reader

If this was something that worked, it would be used. There is no reason for state-sponsored health care, insurance companies, and private individuals to use expensive treatments if someone could just go without food.

I'd also like to point out that not only would it be against the interests of folks listed above, but it can easily be something that kills a patient. Doubly so if the person has diabetes, is malnourished, is a child or an infant.

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It certainly is not as simple as "just go without food", however there is some promising research showing reducing glutamine intake can reverse cancer cells acquired resistance to cisplatin (which is a huge problem when chemo works until it doesnt)- the research is early and its counterintuitive but it does not mean that this line of enquiry is not valid.

http://emboj.embopress.org/content/37/14/e98597

There was also some recent research showing promise of cannabinoids in augmenting the effects of chemotherapy

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180730160618.h...

Also it's worth noting there is some research indicating that chemotherapy may have more complex mechanisms of action than initially thought - specifically as partially acting on the immune system

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240309349_Immune-ba...

There are nuances to all aspects to selecting a treatment strategy for individuals with cancer.

With adequate clinical studies we may indeed see a future where, for some but not all patients, both fasting and cannabinoids could be key parts of a personalised treatment strategy.

Compared to the risk profile of "breakthrough" therapies (think side effects, unknown-unknowns, costs) these are two potential adjuncts to chemotherapy with relatively minor risks if applied under correct medical supervision.

What did they say? That intermittent fasting and basically lowering blood sugar seems to slow/prevent tumor growth? Whats wrong with that?

It is used. Very very successfully. And you are being incredibly naive thinking that governments and big corporations want people to actually get cured of their diseases for good within 30 days. Also one of the absolute best things a diabetic person can do is fast. It's quite sad the amount of misinformation you managed to condense into one HN comment.

Please don't do this sort of flamewar on HN. We've had to ask you this before.

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