There is no magic diet to cure cancer, don’t believe viral post

Hyderabad: A post recommending a diet that can allegedly cure cancer has gone viral on social media.

The viral post recommends no meat and organic food for six weeks. It also advises either using “1.5 grams of Laetrile (vitamin B17) per day (by mouth)” or “1 gram of hemp oil per day (by mouth).”

It further adds, “The devastating effects of chemotherapy MAY be irreversible, so the less chemo you’ve been through, the better.”

A disclaimer at the bottom of the post reads, “The preceding text was written by someone who has no medical licence and should not be listened to at all.”

WHO describes cancer as a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs.

Can any dietary measure cure cancer? Let’s find out.

FACT CHECK

Can any specific diet cure cancer?

A study suggests that there is no evidence to suggest that any specific diet can cure cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, “Two of the main conventional cancer treatments are chemotherapy and radiotherapy. They have to go through rigorous testing to prove that they work. Most alternative therapies have not been through such testing. So, there is no scientific evidence that they work. Some types of alternative therapy may not be completely safe. They could cause harmful side effects.”

About diet, it adds, “Keep eating a well-balanced diet if you try any alternative diet…It can be harmful to deprive yourself of protein, carbohydrates (including sugars) and fats. Your body needs them to repair itself and keep going.”

What magic can Hemp oil do?

Another study on whether hemp oil can treat cancer says, “While no studies to date have shown that CBD eases these side effects specifically in people with cancer or people receiving cancer treatment, some people with cancer have reported benefits in taking CBD, such as helping with nausea, vomiting, depression, and other side effects.”

The safety and efficacy of CBD for people with cancer still have to be proven in large, randomised, and controlled clinical trials.

Now, let’s talk about Vitamin B-17.

Vitamin B17, also known as Amygdalin, is found in some nuts, vegetables, beans, and fruit pips.

According to a study in Macmillan Cancer Support, “There is no medical evidence to support this. There has been a review of studies that were looking at the outcomes for people with cancer taking Laetrile. The review found no evidence to show that it can control or cure cancer.”

The study also talks about the possible side effects of Laetrile.

It is evident that no particular diet can cure cancer. Trust your medical professional. It may not be easy or quick but it will always be safe.

Hence, the claim is false.