Nutritional Strategies for Cancer and Metabolic Health

Committed to Client Care

Miriam’s first experience with keto for cancer was intensely personal: her young son Raffi was at the end of treatments for his brain tumor when she stumbled onto groundbreaking early research on the keto diet. With nothing to lose, Miriam quickly pulled together a plan using the few resources available to her in 2007. To everyone’s surprise, this change in diet brought about a profound reduction in the size and invasiveness of Raffi’s brain tumor. It also led to a vast improvement in his quality of life. Raffi lived for 6 more years- a span that no one had anticipated at the outset!

With that success in mind, Miriam’s passion for helping others led her down a new path: that of sharing what she’d learned along the way with those who are feeling confused, isolated and unsupported. That part of the journey began with formal education in nutrition leading to her current certification. In 2012, Miriam established Dietary Therapies LLC with the determination to share what she learned in a caring and supportive environment.

Our experienced Keto for Cancer Team is here to help you get started on the right path! Learn more about our credentials and experience here on our Team page.

  • Miriam Kalamian, CNS

    Miriam heads up our team. She works closely with adult clients who have been diagnosed with a challenging primary brain cancer, such as glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, astrocytoma or meningioma.

  • Martha Tettenborn, RD

    Martha’s work is unique and powerful, combining her personal journey as an ovarian cancer survivor/thriver with her skills and knowledge as a keto dietitian and Primal Health coach.

  • Bridget Surtees, RD

    Bridget’s interest in keto was fueled by the positive changes she saw when she offered out-of-the box nutrition education to people who were struggling with their metabolic health. Over time, she expanded her practice to include those with a cancer diagnosis.

Miriam’s Books

Keto for Cancer

Although evidence supporting the benefits of ketogenic diet therapies continues to mount, there is little to guide those who wish to adopt this diet as a metabolic therapy for cancer. Keto for Cancer fills this need. Inspired by the work of Dr. Thomas N. Seyfried, PhD, nutritionist Miriam Kalamian has written the first book to lay out comprehensive guidelines that specifically address the many challenges associated with cancer, and particularly the deep nutritional overhaul involved with the ketogenic diet.

Metabolic Health Handbook

Miriam Kalamian; EdM, MS, CNS; Chiara Visconti di Modrone; MS, CNS, CKNS

Many of the people that come to my website are the partners, adult children or other loved ones of a person with cancer. Does that describe you? If so, the research you’re doing on behalf of your loved one may have opened your eyes to the role that diet and lifestyle play in prevention as well as remediation of the many metabolic diseases that degrade quality of life decades before receiving an official diagnosis. Or, perhaps you simply want to offer support by adopting a keto plan alongside your loved one. Whatever the reason for your interest, your plan should be tailored to your own needs. That’s what led my colleague, Chiara Visconti di Modrone, to suggest that we collaborate on a Metabolic Health Handbook that fills this need.

COMING SOON

KetoMetabolic Quickstart Guide

Miriam Kalamian, EdM, MS, CNS

I’m thrilled to offer my new KetoMetabolic Quickstart Guide to the ever-increasing numbers of people with a cancer diagnosis who don’t have the luxury of time to do more of their own research on diet. Here, I’ve provided the reader with a simple introduction to cancer cell metabolism as the basis for adopting a science-based keto plan that restricts cancer’s unlimited access to fuels and nutrients. I offer sound advice, gained from more than a decade of practice, on the safest and most effective way to approach a Keto for Cancer plan. I address the many cancer-specific challenges to safe implementation, such as low appetite, muscle wasting and advancing age and include modifications needed to safely engage in fasts. Here, you’ll learn the three basic starting points along with guidance on how to design the plan best suited to your needs. In the 4 pillars of support, I cover cancer-specifc modifications to fasting, supplementation, fitness and healthy habits. The Appendix adds value, including the information and resources that I share with all new clients. If my book doesn’t meet your expectations, I will gladly refund the purchase price.

COMING SOON

What Clients Are Saying

“When I received the diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme, grade 4, my standard of care doctors told me I had 12 months to get my affairs in order. Because I was young (38 at the time) and otherwise healthy (except for being overweight), they told me at best, with radiation and chemotherapy, I might have 2 years. I started working with Miriam almost immediately post-diagnosis and due to side effects, only completed half of the standard of care radiation/chemo protocol. That was more than 2 years ago. Although adopting a strict “keto for cancer” diet was an adjustment, I’m now healthier than I’ve ever been and have adapted to the keto diet well. Miriam has also connected me with some of the leaders in the metabolic approach to cancer community. I’m so thankful for her knowledge and network.

It still takes some work and planning, but with Miriam’s help, it’s doable. And the fact that I’m still here is, in my opinion, direct evidence of her expertise and counsel. I would highly recommend that anyone facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis and wanting to complement their cancer care, contact her. She’s a leader in this world, will encourage and educate you and keep you abreast of the leading research and treatment options.”

- AP
Ottawa, Canada

"For me, adopting a ketogenic diet for my thyroid cancer was a big lifestyle change. I started my diet without guidance at first, which was very difficult. Once I started working with Miriam it made all the difference. Miriam helped me adjust my diet so that it worked better for me. She's widely knowledgeable and has patiently answered endless questions. Most importantly, she has helped me feel like I can succeed with this new lifestyle. And thanks to her help with the diet, I feel better than I ever have."

- AF
Houston, TX

“When my aggressive incurable prostate cancer progressed, my wife and I sought more help.  A board certified Integrative Oncologist recommended that we reach out to Miriam Kalamian at Dietary Therapies.  I am so glad that my wife made the call; I was heading into another round of radiation and Miriam and her team quickly helped me get into Ketosis to maximize the benefits of the radiation therapy and I experienced none of the negative effects the radiation oncologist warned me about and so was able to avoid extra medication then as well.  I thought that I had already adopted a healthy diet, but Miriam took the time to explain how tracking my intake of carbohydrates, fats and protein could enhance the body’s natural systems to provide energy without feeding the cancer.  With her and her team’s guidance, and some simple tools including a phone app, I have been able to supplement my traditional cancer treatments with a diet tailored to my needs.  For a while we tracked ketones and glucose by testing my blood at various times during the day and even got a continuous glucose monitor for a month to better understand the effect certain foods at various times had on my levels. Miriam and her team have made themselves available throughout and provided many additional resources that we have referred back to many times over the past year. Her guidance has extended the effectiveness of my ongoing cancer therapy - not curing the cancer but - definitely giving me more time to be with family and friends.  I am extremely grateful to Miriam and team for her passion and their support.”

- PBW & SLR
Rossville, PA

After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I learned that I needed to implement a therapeutic ketogenic diet and started working with Miriam.  She was an integral part of my success with a metabolic approach to cancer and going into remission. Miriam's knowledge, expertise, and experience with cancer was tremendously helpful. She and her team guided me through the nutritional complexities of a therapeutic ketogenic diet at a time when my energy level was low. They supported me with resources, tools, and encouragement to persevere. I highly recommend Miriam's work.

- AC
Little Rock, AR

Miriam and her team helped me move from Keto-clueless to Keto-fluent within a few weeks. Her service is priceless. I cannot praise her vast knowledge and deep empathy enough. She provided clarity and hope in a period I was scrambling for answers. 

Now over a year since we worked together I’ve managed to live in high therapeutic ketosis (<3.0 GKI) the majority of the time. What to eat when has become second nature and very enjoyable. I really appreciate being able to play an active role in my own health and wellbeing.

- AW
Amsterdam, NL

In 2022, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer (triple negative). I had to wait 6 weeks for "the plan" from my medical team. The wait was excruciating! In the interim, as I educated myself online, I came across Miriam's book, Keto for Cancer. I reviewed the information on her website and rushed to sign up for a consultation. Miriam is so knowledgeable and clearly has a passion to share that knowledge with her clients in a way that empowers us to be our own advocate, create an effective plan, and have the tools to navigate a very arduous cancer journey. I took advantage of her team's Month of Support to help me get adjusted to my new plan. I quickly adapted to the keto diet, stabilized at my target weight, and most importantly, had minimal side effects while going through many rounds of chemotherapy. I attribute that to the great education and support I received from Miriam and her team. I highly recommend Miriam's services without reservation!

- LT
Reading, VT

Ten years ago I was operated on by a neurosurgeon to remove a Glioblastoma brain tumor. I was told I had 12-18 months. That even though I was receiving the best treatment offered, I wouldn’t be around to see my daughters graduate. I was devastated! My husband found Miriam‘s website and she led me to change my diet and my life. I know I’m still alive and healthy because of Miriam. She was not only extremely knowledgeable about the science behind the ketogenic diet and how to implement it but also was a wonderful person to work with.

- JC
Orient Point, NY