Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that arises from the uncontrolled growth and division of melanocytes, specialized cells responsible for melanin production. Despite accounting for about 1 percent of all skin cancers in the United States, melanoma is considered the most dangerous due to its potential to spread and cause most skin cancer-related deaths.
Numerous studies have examined the relationship between dietary patterns and the prevention and development of melanoma, revealing potential implications for the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
In a 2022 study, 634 melanoma patients—38 percent of whom had melanomas exceeding 2 millimeters in thickness—completed a food frequency questionnaire to determine their Healthy Eating Index scores. The findings demonstrated a significant association between lower scores and an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with thick melanomas compared to those with higher scores. Thus, the study suggests a notable correlation between melanoma thickness and patients’ dietary habits before diagnosis.
Decreasing Melanoma Risk and Improving Treatment With Diet
Food not only provides essential nutrients for maintaining health and essential body functions, but it also contains dietary components, such as vitamins, that can exhibit antigen-like properties and stimulate an immune response.Moreover, adopting a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as green vegetables, may help reduce chronic inflammation, a known contributing factor to various cancers, including melanoma.
Here are several diets that are inversely associated with the risk of melanoma or have demonstrated potential benefits for melanoma treatment.
1. Intermittent Fasting Can Be as Effective as Chemo
According to a study conducted on mice, researchers observed that cycles of 48-hour fasting may be as effective as chemotherapy drugs. Combining fasting with chemotherapy yielded superior results compared to either treatment alone, reducing the number of organs affected by melanoma.The study also found fasting capable of reducing the adverse effects of chemo medications.
2. Keto Diet May Slow Melanoma Development
The ketogenic diet, characterized by high-fat, low-carbohydrate intake and adequate protein, has been explored as a potential therapeutic approach. This diet induces a metabolic state similar to fasting by reducing glucose availability, leading the body to produce ketones, chemicals the liver produces to break down fat, for energy.Preliminary findings from a study conducted on mice indicate that the keto diet may influence various metabolic pathways, creating an environment that impedes the growth of melanoma cells. Furthermore, it can increase the susceptibility of tumor cells to chemo and radiation therapy in treating melanoma. Researchers have suggested that the keto diet could be an adjunctive therapy for melanoma.
3. Paleolithic Keto Diet May Be a Healthier Keto Option
There are potential nutrient deficiencies (pdf) associated with the classical keto diet, such as vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. A modified version known as the Paleolithic keto diet combines the benefits of both keto and Paleolithic diets.The Paleo diet maintains a fat-to-protein ratio of around 2:1 and emphasizes animal meat and fat, which aligns with the diet of our Paleolithic ancestors. The keto diet restricts more carbs than the Paleo diet. By incorporating traditional food sources, the Paleo diet provides essential nutrients sometimes lacking in the classical approach, making it a potentially healthier alternative.
4. Mediterranean Diet May Enhance Immunotherapy Effectiveness
The Mediterranean diet is known for its emphasis on abundant consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, and olive oil, along with a moderate intake of meat, seafood, milk, cheese, and red wine.A European study analyzed data spanning 15 years, tracking a cohort of nearly 100,000 French women. It revealed a noteworthy correlation between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of skin cancer in women, particularly melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.
In a recent European study published in JAMA Oncology, researchers examined 91 patients with advanced melanoma. They found that better adherence to the Mediterranean diet correlated with a more favorable response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). This particular form of immunotherapy targets proteins that hinder the immune system’s ability to combat cancer cells.
Immunotherapy employs medications to stimulate or enhance a patient’s immune system, empowering it to identify and eliminate cancerous cells. Promising outcomes have been observed in treating various cancer types, including melanoma.
5. DASH Diet Associated With Lower Melanoma Risk
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet was initially designed to manage and lower arterial hypertension. It emphasizes the consumption of poultry, fish, legumes, nuts, vegetable oils, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products while discouraging the intake of sugary drinks, desserts, meats, oils, and high-saturated fat dairy products.According to a 2015 Italian study, the DASH was found to have an inverse association with the risk of melanoma, specifically in women. Additionally, the association was notably stronger among women under 50 than older women. As a result, researchers concluded that the study’s findings suggested a potential link between diet quality and melanoma development in women. They proposed that adopting healthy diets could potentially reduce the risk of melanoma.
6. High-Fiber Diet Linked to Reduced Risk of Melanoma Progression
A study published in Science revealed that incorporating a fiber-rich diet can enhance the response of melanoma patients to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. This is attributed to the ability of a high-fiber diet to promote greater diversity within the gut microbiome, generate beneficial short-chain fatty acids that protect against inflammation and support gut health, and inhibit the growth of certain harmful bacteria. The interplay between gut bacteria and ICB therapy impacts a patient’s response.Among 128 participants with advanced melanoma undergoing ICB therapy, those who consumed a minimum of 20 grams of dietary fiber daily experienced an extended period without cancer progression compared to those with lower fiber intake. In addition, the researchers found that for each 5-gram increment in dietary fiber consumption, the risk of melanoma progression decreased by approximately 30 percent.
Interestingly, the patients with the most noticeable benefit consumed at least 20 grams of dietary fiber and no probiotic intake. Furthermore, no significant statistical differences were observed between the progression-free survival periods of the patients taking over-the-counter probiotics and those who weren’t. In the mouse model, the anti-tumor response to immunotherapy of the mice being fed probiotics appeared to be impaired, and their tumors grew larger than the ones not given probiotics.
Which Diet Is the Best for Melanoma?
Determining the optimal dietary plan for reducing melanoma risk or improving treatment outcomes depends on individual circumstances. Therefore, consulting a health care professional, such as a registered dietitian, is crucial to identify the most suitable dietary recommendations for personalized needs.The Mediterranean diet is highly recommended for melanoma prevention thanks to its rich fiber content, unsaturated fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and polyphenols, which offer various health benefits. These nutrients exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects that can enhance digestion, promote better blood sugar control, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
However, like other dietary approaches, the Mediterranean diet has drawbacks. For example, it involves a moderate consumption of red wine. Research suggests that higher alcohol intake, particularly white wine, is moderately associated with an increased incidence of invasive melanoma, especially in areas where ultraviolet (UV) light does not reach. Nonetheless, the antioxidants and tryptophan in red wine may partially counteract melanoma risk. Still, it is advisable to adhere to the American Cancer Society Guidelines for Cancer Prevention, which recommend limiting alcohol consumption.
A high-fiber diet comprising abundant vegetables and legumes may be vegans’ most suitable dietary plan.
Different Ways to Prevent or Treat Melanoma
While melanoma cannot be entirely prevented, specific measures can help lower the risk. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet with anti-melanoma properties, these steps include minimizing exposure to UV rays (especially those from tanning beds) and regularly checking for abnormal-looking moles.However, it’s important to note that diet alone is not a primary treatment for melanoma. Treatment options vary based on the stage and progression of the disease. These can include surgical removal of melanoma, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapy drugs, chemotherapy, and adoptive cell therapy, which uses immune cells grown in a lab to attack cancer cells.
