Low-Carbohydrate Normocaloric Diet in Patients With Head and Neck Carcinoma (HNC)

Exclusion Criteria

• •1. Diabetic patients are eligible but will be excluded if they are taking metformin, insulin or sulfonilureas.
• •2. Patients with plasma alanine aminotransferase greater than 40 IU/dL.
• •3. Patients with plasma aspartate aminotransferase greater than 45 IU/dL.
• •4. Patients with plasma creatinine level greater than 1.3 mg/dL.
• •5. Patients with plasma alkaline phosphatase greater than 190 IU/dL.
• •6. Patients with plasma bicarbonate less than 22 mEq/L or history of lactic or any other metabolic acidosis.
• •7. Patients with history of congestive heart failure.
• •8. Patients with myocardial ischemia or peripheral muscle ischemia.
• •9. Patients with sepsis or severe infection.
• •10. Patients with history of lung disease currently requiring any pharmacologic or supplemental oxygen treatment.
• •11. Patients scheduled for definitive HNC cancer surgical resection less than 10 days from enrollment or greater than five weeks from enrollment.
• •12. Patients with history of hepatic dysfunction or hepatic disease.
• •13. Patients with a history of excessive alcohol intake which is defined in accordance with CDC definitions as more than 1 drink per day for women and more than 2 drinks per day for men. This definition is referring to the amount consumed on any single day and is not intended as an average over several days. A standard drink is equal to 13.7 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in 12-ounces of beer, 8-ounces of malt liquor, 5-ounces of wine, 1.5-ounces or a "shot" of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey).
• •14. Patients with a lower BMI (BMI\<18) will be excluded.
• •15. Patients with history of known defects in fat metabolism (ie pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, prophyria, fatty acid oxidation defects, primary carnitine deficiencies, organic acidurias, hypoglicemia) will be excluded.
• •16. Pregnancy, lactation or inability to use medically acceptable birth control if of childbearing potential.