{"id":46528,"date":"2025-02-27T16:09:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T21:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/?p=46528"},"modified":"2025-10-21T14:27:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:27:46","slug":"diet-may-delay-progression-to-multiple-myeloma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/diet-may-delay-progression-to-multiple-myeloma\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0Diet\u00a0May Delay Progression to\u00a0Multiple\u00a0Myeloma"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hearing the words, “You have cancer,” is a life-altering moment. A diagnosis of multiple myeloma\u2014a blood cancer that affects the bone marrow\u2014is particularly daunting because it currently has no cure. In a recent groundbreaking study<\/a>, researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) discovered for the first time that a high-fiber, plant-based diet may delay the progression to multiple myeloma<\/a>, which disproportionally impacts the Black community twice as much as whites. The findings<\/a>, presented at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in San Diego, offer a promising new way for cancer prevention and management through dietary intervention.<\/p>\n

Led by\u00a0Urvi A. Shah, MD<\/a>, a\u00a0myeloma\u00a0specialist at MSK, the\u00a0NUTRIVENTION<\/a> clinical trial enrolled 20 participants diagnosed with precancerous blood disorders. Notably, forty-three percent of those enrolled in the trial were Black, Hispanic, or of mixed race, reflecting the study’s commitment to diversity. Additionally, 60 % of the participants had monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)<\/a>, and the other 40 % had smoldering myeloma (SMM)<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0Both conditions are known precursors to\u00a0multiple\u00a0myeloma.\u00a0Obese individuals with an elevated body mass index<\/a>\u00a0(BMI) are also at significantly higher risk of progression.<\/p>\n

Participants in the trial followed a 12-week regimen of high-fiber, plant-based meals and engaged in 24 weeks of health coaching. The results were remarkable: two participants who had been experiencing disease progression before the study showed significant improvement in their disease trajectories.<\/p>\n

None of the participants progressed to multiple myeloma during the one-year follow-up period.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Empowering Patients with Knowledge\u00a0and\u00a0Nutrition<\/h2>\n

“This study showcases the power of nutrition\u2014specifically a high-fiber, plant-based diet\u2014and unlocks a better understanding of how it can lead to improvements in the microbiome and metabolism to build a stronger immune system,” said Dr. Shah. “These findings further support how we as physicians can empower patients, especially those with precancerous conditions, with knowledge on reducing their cancer risk through dietary changes.”<\/p>\n

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Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer (leukemia is first) and typically develops from precursor conditions such as MGUS and smoldering myeloma.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Research has shown that individuals with poor\u00a0diets\u00a0and\u00a0a low intake of plant-based foods are at greater risk of developing\u00a0multiple\u00a0myeloma.<\/p>\n

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Unique Challenges for African Americans<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Unfortunately, “African Americans face a disproportionate burden when it comes to multiple myeloma. Dr. Shah says, “There may be multiple mechanisms at play, including genetics, immune dysregulation, socioeconomic factors, dietary factors, and metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes.”<\/p>\n

Obesity, diabetes, and poor diets are more prevalent in Black communities compared to white populations, contributing to increased risks.\u00a0Research by Dr. Shah\u00a0<\/a>indicates that 10-19 percent of\u00a0multiple\u00a0myeloma\u00a0cases in the United States are attributable to excess body mass index (BMI).<\/p>\n

Elevated BMI alone accounts for 2.1-3.3 percent more\u00a0multiple\u00a0myeloma\u00a0cases among non-Hispanic Black Americans than non-Hispanic white Americans.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The NUTRIVENTION trial was designed to explore whether a\u00a0dietary intervention could alter these odds. Those enrolled were encouraged to eat as much as they wanted, as long as their meals consisted of whole, plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains,\u00a0and\u00a0legumes.<\/p>\n

Diet\u00a0and\u00a0Delayed Disease Progression or Transformative Results<\/h2>\n

Clinical trial partakers discovered that making the recommended\u00a0diet\u00a0changes led to the following significant health benefits:<\/p>\n