Ketogenic diet raised small intestine cancer risk in mice

An MIT study found that a ketogenic diet suppressed colon tumors in mice but increased their risk of tumors in the small intestine. The tumor growth was driven by fatty acid oxidation, which signals stem cells to multiply faster. Ketone bodies such as BHB turned out to be metabolic bystanders, not the protective factor.

• Ketogenic diet cut colon tumor risk in mice but raised small intestine tumor risk
• Tumor growth was driven by fatty acid oxidation speeding up stem cell division
• Ketone bodies including BHB were not responsible for the colon cancer protection
• Findings cast doubt on the benefits of commercial ketone supplements