Lecture Notes: Keto, Fasting, Tahini, and Cancer

Introduction

• Discussion on Keto, fasting, tahini, and cancer.
• Exploring how these topics interconnect.
• Introduction to ketosis and its metabolic effects.

Ketosis and Metabolism

• Ketosis is the state where the body converts fats into ketone bodies.
• Ketone bodies are used as fuel for the brain and body, rewiring metabolism.
• Challenge: Few understand the detailed metabolic process leading to ketosis.

Recent Study on Metabolic Transition

• A study published in Nature explored the role of EIF4E during fasting.
• EIF4E: Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E.
  • Involved in DNA to mRNA to protein translation.
  • Balances protein production in the body.

Mechanism of Action in Fasting

• Fasting/ketogenic diet raises fatty acids in blood.
• Fatty acids activate AMPK (enzyme in liver).
• AMPK activates MNK, which phosphorylates EIF4E.
• Outcome: Alters protein translation, enhancing fat oxidation and ketosis.
• Fatty acids act as signaling molecules, not just fuel.

Understanding Fatty Acids

• Different foods contain varied fatty acid profiles.
• These profiles affect AMPK activation and subsequently ketone production.
• Foods with different fatty acids increase ketone levels differently.

Practical Application

• Personal Experiment: Achieving high ketone levels (6 mmol) in 24 hours using sesame products.
  • Consuming sesame oil or tahini before a 24-hour fast.
  • Results in higher ketone levels compared to butter due to fatty acid profiles.

Cancer and Metabolism

• Some cancers rely on glucose; others can use ketones.
• Pancreatic cancer adept at using ketones, making keto diets less effective.
• Hypothesis on EIF4E's role in pancreatic cancer's metabolic adaptation.

Research Findings

• Combination of ketogenic diet and EIF4E inhibitor reduces tumor growth in mice.
• Highlighting the potential clinical benefits of combining metabolic knowledge with treatments.

Conclusion

• Emphasizing the importance of metabolic knowledge in finding solutions.
• Encouragement to stay curious and continue exploring the metabolic sciences.