First, I'm hardly an expert on this topic, but I think I've researched everything possible relating to GH and IGF-1, so I'm just throwing in my two cents.

I, too, read that a vegan diet could "possibly" lower IGF-1 (slightly). From what I understand, there is an issue with cow's milk containing IGF-1 and that possibly raising our IGF-1. In addition, starving a body of protein and eating more plant material might lower IGF-1. I believe one study found that merely increasing the amount of plant based foods, without decreasing protein (meat) intake, would be enough to get the same results and possible slightly reduce IGF-1 levels. Another study found that just moderately reducing your protein intake had the same effect as severely reducing it. I believe people just restricted meat on 2 or 3 days a week. Now, I'm only referring to actual scientific studies, not unfounded statements that you will always find online. Sadly, people will always make unfounded claims. Stating with such certainty that something is a fact, when it has never been proven.

Since patients like your husband know the mechanism that caused the increase in IGF-1 (pituitary tumor), I don't believe that there would be any added benefit of becoming a vegan, in relationship to his Acromegaly. Obviously, it may be something that you personally want to do for other reasons. The few studies that have been done are just based on the regular population. Nothing has ever shown that a Vegan diet would cure or improve Acromegaly.

I, personally, know a few people who have attempted the Vegan diet/lifestyle, but they were all forced to begin eating meat again by their doctors, due to health issues it caused. I'm not endorsing or condemning veganism, just stating that it's not a guarantee of better health. I'm sure people on both sides of that issue could debate it's pros and cons until the cows came home (no pun intended). I say live and let live and what's right for one person may not be right for another. That's a choice we all have to make personally.

My husband had type 2 diabetes, too. I had him on a variety of supplements that helped his sugar level. Cinnamon and Chromium Picolinate were two of them. I'll have to look up the rest, it's been awhile since he needed them. Consistent excercise had the greatest effect on his levels. Have you noticed if your husband's fasting am levels are higher than if taken several hours after a meal?

I don't think a dr. would start or stop medication based on a minor fluctuation in IGF-1 alone. They will want to check is GH, do a glucose suppression test and MRI to evaluate where he is.

Best of luck with whatever path you choose. Hopefully, your husband's slight increase is just a lab/testing issue.

I am a vegetarian and have been for over 25 years. I eat dairy products and maybe a couple of eggs a week, but no meat. As such, my protein intake is probably lower than most European or North American diets (though perfectly adequate; it's actually pretty hard to not get enough protein on a varied diet).

Now, given that lower dietary protein is kinder on your kidneys, I wonder if there's any relevance here, given that the kidney is where growth hormone and IGF-1 mostly break down?

In the US, it is permitted to add growth hormones to cattle; this is banned in Europe. I have no idea if this might have any effect on human GH or IGF-1 levels.

John

Thank you both for your input. We are going to give it a try for 6 weeks and see what happens. We will then go back to a more balance diet but still keep it vegan/vegetarian as possible. I will post his numbers when we get them.

Yes, John, the US uses growth hormone stimulating drugs in cattle. Both in cattle used for beef and milk. It's a long standing debate that it's one of the reasons for the earlier onset of puberty these days. Chemicals pumped into animals and all the chemicals sprayed on fruits and vegetables, it's a wonder we survive.

I am a "new" acromegaly pt, but wanted to tell you that for me when I eat complex carbs and starches the next day my swelling and joint pain is 90% worse. I mainly follow a very low to no complex carb/grain diet to minimize this. Currently eating zero complex carbs it has not impacted my IGF1 very much according to my labs 257 eating no carbs vs. 265 eating carbs. So I can't explain why my symptoms are so much better. I also eat very low sugar. I find when I do splurge on sweets my symptoms again worsen the next day.

I have experienced so much improvement in symptoms by eating just veggies and protein and avoided diabetes thus far. I say try it!

I too have been a vegetarian for over 20 years. It did not stop my disease from occurring or my igf-1 from being high. In the past year since being diagnosed I have added fish into my diet. For me personally I feel the best thing to do is keep my blood sugar stable. Try to avoid sugar spikes by avoiding sugar. This includes fruit and gluten. I think that because some if not most of us have diabetes, following a diabetic diet is best route to go. Take care.

John,
In Europe the relevant question is : are growth hormones given to horses ?
I'm on a strict no-gluten diet. Agree with carebear it helps a lot with symptoms, but not necesseraly impact IGF-1 levels.

Berthe

If I were a Yorkshireman, my answer to that question would have to be, "Neigh, lad".

En francais peut-etre, "Cela m'est bien cheval -- je suis vegetarien"

:-)

John

for myself I was slim and then boom weight gain hormone issues rashes.never ending list..I wasnt diagnosed then but didnt drink alcohol didnt smoke and watched what I ate lots of veg /fruit but it didnt help me I was just getting worse..now as tumour has been shrinking on drug and levels going lower I have found Ive been fine just do have to watch my iron levels and my sugar binges usualy though when stressed and when I usually have one of my stuff to much sweet stuff I dont feel so good..

nice

Diet definitely plays a role in all this. I've been experimenting with lower carb and fasting and each day is a revelation. Some days my face looks so much slimmer after simply eating salad/vegetables/nuts and maybe the occasional piece of fish.
I haven't got any answers yet but growth hormone is going down as a result of the big stuff such as operations, radiotherapy and medication (somastatin long acting) but diet is definitely cherry on cake.
And it's a very big cherry -.remarkable how much difference a certain diets make.
It's a shame I can't test growth hormone levels after a week of carbs , meat and sugar then a week of of vegan diet.
I kind of already know answer simply by way I feel but it'd be nice to have numbers to back it up

Morning, I have been reading a book called the fast diet by dr.michael Mosley and mimi spencer, it's about fasting 2 days a week on 500 cal for women and 600 for men the other 5 days you eat how you want basically, it's had great results, my doctor told me to go on it, it lowers cholestral insulin and igf, it's worth a read. The dr. Has followed it himself, he was worried about his weight and heart and diabetes, he's lost weight , and his wife who is a gp has now made him do only one day a week, but all his bloods are now normal, just thought I'd share take care

Thanks, ill check into that book. He made it 1 month on the vegan diet but I don't think I can hold him off much longer. LOL. He wants some meat. And he HATES tofu.

I too recommend reading The Fast Diet. I plan to start the 5:2 fasting diet soon. My surgery was 1 yr ago but I still have elevated IGF-1 levels similar to your husbands. Although I have recently started a 3 month trial of Cabergoline I've decided to try this periodic fasting approach also. I'm looking for a lifestyle change regarding diet that i can live with and if it has the positive effect on IGF-1 that are reported all the better.

I think it's exciting that a diet approach such as this MAY be effective in lowering IGF-1 levels post surgery. BTW I had an MRI at 1yr after surgery and they was no sign of the tumor. I don't think a vegan diet would be for me.

vegan not for me 16 chickens that produce fresh yummy eggs..just decided not to eat chocolate cake..