Chemo Fasting Protocol - Martha Tettenborn: Ep 87

Key Wellness / Self-Care / Productivity Takeaways (Chemo Fasting & Ketogenic Support)

Cancer care “adjunct” strategy: timed fasting + ketogenic eating during chemotherapy

• Goal: Reduce chemotherapy side effects and potentially improve chemotherapy effectiveness by stressing cancer cells while helping healthy cells enter a calmer “maintenance” state.
• Ketosis approach during the treatment window:
  • Strictly low-carb / <30 g net carbs per day during chemotherapy (reported as a 5-month period).
  • No alcohol; emphasize healthy fats and whole-food-style moderately low-carb eating outside the fasting windows.

Fasting timing around each chemo cycle (protocol used by the guest)

• 72-hour fast around each procedure, roughly:
  • ~36 hours before the chemo/procedure
  • the procedure day itself (described as very long)
  • ~24 hours after
• She reports 72 hours worked best for her, while acknowledging others may use shorter windows, such as:
  • 24 hours before and 18–24 hours after
  • Especially if maintaining weight is a concern.

Side-effect mitigation outcomes (self-reported)

• Reduced severity of expected side effects, including:
  • Minimal nausea and rare need for nausea medication
  • No vomiting
  • No mouth ulcers
  • No peripheral neuropathy
  • No bedridden periods
  • Only ~4 days per cycle with “low energy,” followed by gradual recovery

“Protect healthy cells” mechanism (conceptual model discussed)

• Cancer cells are described as having higher nutrient needs, including:
  • Reliance on glucose and glutamine
  • Sensitivity to insulin/growth factors
• With low-carb + fasting, cancer cells are framed as being placed under “pressure,” while healthy cells may shift into maintenance / repair mode—including autophagy.
• Chemotherapy is framed as potentially more effective when cancer cells are already metabolically stressed, so therapy can “target” cells that remain active.

Practical comfort + adherence tactics (to make fasting doable)

• Use low-calorie/low-carb beverages rather than water-only fasting:
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Bone broth
  • Water
• Bone broth as a support tool:
  • Helps with salt/electrolytes
  • Can feel like a “full meal” when hunger is distracting
• Comfort-food keto substitutions (noted as part of her book approach), such as alternatives for:
  • Bread
  • Crackers
  • Cereal
  • Macaroni & cheese
  • Grilled-cheese-style meals
• Keep the mind occupied during fasting:
  • Examples during lower-energy days include knitting, watching TV, working on her blog, plus small tasks like unloading the dishwasher or short walks.

“N=1” mindset + sharing protocols responsibly

• She emphasizes her experience is an “N equals one” case (single-subject evidence), not a universal guarantee.
• She later supported others and reports some people noticed fewer side effects when following the protocol.

Support model: “Onco-Doula” (non-medical support + education)

• She cannot provide medical nutritional therapy outside her licensed region (Ontario), so she developed a support concept:
  • Onco-doula: emotional and educational support through the process (not replacing medical care).
• Services include:
  • One-time consultations or support programs
  • Help with keto learning, fasting protocol education, and coping/support

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Presenters / Sources Mentioned

Presenters (podcast hosts & guest)

• Doug Reynolds (Low Carb USA)
• Pam Devine (Low Carb USA)
• Marta Tetenborn / Martha Tetenborn (registered dietitian; guest)

Researchers / authors referenced

• Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint)
• Thomas Seyfried
• Miriam Kalanian
• Dom D’Agostino
• Walter Longo
• Otto Warburg (mentioned as an important influence/topic)
• Angela Poff
• Nisha (referenced in the keto/cancer conversation)
• Jason Fang
• Megan Ramos
• Adrian Schenk
• Christina / “Megan” Ramos (as referenced in the dialogue)

Organizations / programs / platforms referenced

• Low Carb USA
• Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners
• Society of Anabolic Health Professionals (for locating specialists)
• Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books (book availability)
• Patreon (podcast support link)