Impact of Intermittent Fasting with a Ketogenic Diet on AMPK Levels in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a metabolic sensor activated by nutrient starvation, plays a multifaceted role in cancer. Whether AMPK is beneficial or malevolent is controversial. This study aimed to investigate AMPK levels in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and compare the effects of intermittent fasting combined with different diets on these levels. Forty-five breast cancer patients were divided into three groups: a control, a group practicing 23:1-h intermittent fasting (IF) with a routine diet (RD), and another with a ketogenic diet (KD) over 4 weeks. Body mass index (BMI), Carbohydrate Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) levels, and serum AMPK levels were measured pre and post-intervention. Results showed a significant increase in AMPK levels in both the fasting groups and no significant difference in the non-fasting group, with the keto diet group showing the most significant growth. CA 15-3 levels were reduced in all the groups but significantly reduced in the KD group as compared to the RD group. This study shows that intermittent fasting with the keto diet improves AMPK levels and may serve as a valuable non-pharmacological complementary strategy for reducing or eliminating the tumor and, simultaneously, preventing the healthy cells from the toxic side effects of chemotherapy.