Studies Highlight the Impact of Lifestyle, Diet, and Environment on Blood Disorders
Five groundbreaking studies presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition explore the critical interactions between lifestyle factors and hematologic health. These studies reveal how diet, environmental exposures, and lifestyle choices can influence the development, progression, and treatment response of blood disorders, offering promising avenues for preventive care and lifestyle-based interventions.
“When patients are diagnosed with blood disorders or cancers, they often ask what role their lifestyle has played and what they can do moving forward,” said Chancellor Donald, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Tulane University. “These studies emphasize that while not all factors are within our control, diet and lifestyle modifications can have a meaningful impact.”
Highlights include:
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A diabetes treatment shown to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by 20%, offering new possibilities for mitigating life-threatening blood clots.
- High-Fiber Diets and Stem Cell Transplants: Evidence that dietary fiber supports gut microbiome health, reducing complications like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after stem cell transplantation.
- Diet and Myeloma Prevention: Research indicates that plant-based, high-fiber diets can slow the progression of precursor plasma cell disorders to multiple myeloma, a significant breakthrough for cancer prevention.
- Tobacco and Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): The first study linking smoking to genetic mutations that worsen MDS progression, reinforcing the benefits of tobacco cessation.
- Ketogenic Diet and CAR-T Therapy: Initial findings suggest ketogenic diets or supplements may enhance CAR T-cell effectiveness by improving cellular energy efficiency.
These studies underscore the profound role of lifestyle factors in hematologic care, inspiring clinicians and patients alike to explore holistic approaches to treatment and prevention.
About the American Society of Hematology
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of blood-related disorders. Since 1958, ASH has fostered research, education, and advocacy, while publishing leading peer-reviewed journals in hematology.
For more information, visit hematology.org.
SOURCE: American Society of Hematology
