The role of supplements in cancer prevention and treatment, such as immunotherapy, is controversial. Many see supplements as an alternative to conventional western medical medicine. Others see them as a waste of money, either unproven scientifically or all available through a balanced diet. You only have to look at the weekly catalogue from chemist chain stores to see how big a business’s supplements have become.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking supplements without understanding the science behind what you are taking. I need to justify each supplement I take both from a scientific and financial point of view. In this post, I look at the various supplements I take to make cancer immunotherapy treatment more potent. Supplements boost the immune system’s response to treatment and reduce tumour growth.
This post is Part 2 of a 3-part deep dive into the role of diet in cancer prevention and treatment.
- Part 2 (this one) looks at the role of supplements in cancer treatment with a focus on immunotherapy
Cancer treatment supplements and the science
Fortunately, there has been some excellent research on the role of available supplements and cancer treatment. The same study from the Journal of Translational Medicine that looked at diet’s influence on anti-cancer immune responsiveness also looked at functional supplements.1
The study found that natural dietary compounds, known as phytochemicals, influence cancer risk and tumour behaviour. Phytochemicals are compounds that plants produce. Phytochemicals are in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans. Phytochemicals protect cells from damage that leads to cancer.
Phytochemicals represent a source of effective immune modulators for cancer immunotherapy. Since inflammation contributes to cancer development, it is important to consume phytochemicals that can regulate the immune system.
The study also found that nutritional supplementation with amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids and nucleotides results in a marked improvement of immune functions in cancer patients undergoing surgery.
There is scientific evidence that diets rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fish reduce cancer risk and improve response to treatment. Healthy diets that meet these criteria include Mediterranean-style diets but not vegetarian-style diets. Supplementation with antioxidants, including minerals, vitamins and compounds obtained from plants, provide a further health benefit.
The study found that the following vitamins, minerals and other elements are functional foods that provide physiological benefits beyond healthy function in immunotherapy response:
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Vitamins including B1, B2, B6, and E
- Essential minerals including selenium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc and copper, and a low level of sodium
- Essential amino acids, antioxidants, dietary fibre
- Flavonoids including quercetin
These natural compounds prevent and modulate the onset of cancerous disease resulting from inflammation, as seen in the figure below.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5859494/
Studies show that a higher flavonoid intake is associated with lower cancer risk. With a positive impact on all three stages of carcinogenesis (initiation, promotion, and progression). Flavonoid supplementation is therefore considered a promising anti-cancer therapy.
Although food supplies of flavonoids and other phytochemicals can achieve an antitumor effect, supplementing these compounds’ produces a clinical-level outcome. Curcumin, green tea, epigallocatechin-gallate (EPGC), quercetin and resveratrol are all effective anti-cancer compounds. The study found that targeting inflammatory cells in the context of cancer with phytochemical supplementation may reverse tumour growth and influence the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
The study found the following phytochemicals and polyunsaturated fats of particular benefit in enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
Resveratrol – Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol some plants produce as a self-defence agent. It is found on the skin of grapes and in red wine. Resveratrol is why a glass of red wine with meals is encouraged on the MD diet. Resveratrol has a range of healing and preventive properties, including cardio-protective, neuro-protective, antitumor and antioxidant. I don’t drink anymore, so I take Reservatrol as a supplement.
Polyphenols – Polyphenols from blueberry effectively inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. As well as eating blueberries on my porridge and in smoothies, I take Acai powder as a supplement with a higher concentration of polyphenols than blueberries.
Curcumin – Curcumin in the form of turmeric inhibits the metastatic spread of breast cancer. I take in curcumin in the form of turmeric powder with food.
EGCG – EGCG from green tea destroys cancer cells. I drink one or two cups daily or add them to smoothies or juices.
Quercetin – Polyphenols induce apoptosis, the programmed death of cancer cells. Quercetin is a polyphenol from fruits and vegetables that induces apoptosis in cancer cells. I take quercetin as a supplement.
Omega 3– Supplementation with Omega 3 is associated with an increase in beneficial bacteria and a decrease in harmful bacteria. During immunotherapy, dietary supplementation with Omega 3 may also result in increased cancer cell death by altering the cell membrane’s composition. Foods high in Omega-3 include fish, vegetable oils, nuts, flax seeds, flaxseed oil, and leafy vegetables. I take Omega 3 as a fish oil supplement.
The role of prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics in cancer treatment
A separate study looked at prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics, in cancer treatment. Healthy gut flora promotes immune system production of anti-inflammatory compounds while suppressing tumour growth. A GM overrun with harmful bacteria can have the opposite effect, fuelling inflammation and tumour growth.
Probiotics – Probiotics are living microorganisms found in certain foods, such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, and some cheeses, which are crucial to good digestion. Eating these foods promotes a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms in your gut microbiome.
Prebiotics – Prebiotics act as food for probiotics. Foods with healthy amounts of fibre, such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables, break down to create substances that help probiotics to thrive within your gut.
Postbiotics – Postbiotics are soluble elements secreted by live bacteria providing benefits to the host. Postbiotics include nutrients such as vitamins B and K, amino acids, and substances that help to slow down the growth of harmful bacteria. Short-chain fatty acids from postbiotics help healthy bacteria flourish. Sources of postbiotics include buttermilk, cottage cheese, high-fibre foods like oats, flaxseed, seaweed and garlic, fermented pickles, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and miso soup.2
Synbiotics – Synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. They’re combinations that work together synergistically in your digestive tract. An example of a synbiotic could be a combination of a beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and its preferred food such as lactose (the most abundant sugar in milk).
Influence of other dietary factors on the immune system
As well as the beneficial role of phytochemicals and probiotics on the immune system, several other critical dietary factors can impact the immune system and, therefore, response to treatment. A study published in the MDPI Journal looked at nutritional factors influencing cancer and immunotherapy.3
The study found the following dietary factors profoundly influence the response to cancer immunotherapy.
Vitamin D – Vitamin D deficiency significantly impacts the immune system. Research also shows that vitamin D affects cancer immunotherapy. Patients diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency before immunotherapy have a higher risk of more severe adverse events. Studies show that patients with advanced metastatic melanoma with low vitamin D levels before diagnosis have a worse prognosis.
Vitamin B1 – A diet without vitamin B1 decreases the number of good bacteria in the GM. Foods high in B1 include fish, beans, lentils, peas, rice, sunflower seeds and yoghurt. B1 is also known as Thiamin.
Obesity – Consuming too many calories relative to effort generally causes obesity. It is related to consuming foods rich in carbohydrates and fats and limited consumption of vegetables. Obesity leads to the predominance of harmful bacteria in the gut. After weight loss, the number of good bacteria increases.
Salt Level in the Diet – Studies in laboratory mice have shown that high salt intake can inhibit tumour growth. This leads to better anti-tumour immunity. This might indicate that a sufficiently high sodium level in diet during immunotherapy could increase its effectiveness.
Glucose Level in the Diet – It seems glucose levels also influence the effectiveness of immunotherapy as glucose is the primary energy source for cancer cells. For those undergoing immunotherapy, normalisation of glucose levels is critical. This may be because high glucose levels affect the composition of the microbiome. There is an increase in harmful bacteria and less diversity in people with elevated glucose levels.
The supplements I currently take
Based on all the above and the advice from a qualified health consultant, I currently take the following supplements to improve my response to immunotherapy. In addition, I eat a modified Mediterranean diet that includes many of the recommended dietary elements for immunotherapy response. I also maintain a healthy BMI while reducing salt and sugar intake.
- Acai Powder a supplement that has 21 x the antioxidant punch of blueberries, is also a source of Omega 3, fisetin and EGCG
- Amino acids in the form of a supplement
- Green Banana Resistant Starch is a prebiotic supplement that is converted into short-chain fatty acids
- Multivitamins a supplement that includes vitamins B1, A, and E and minerals including selenium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc and copper
- Omega 3 as a supplement and from oily fish and Acai powder
- Probiotics as a supplement and from yoghurt, kimchi, apple cider vinegar, and miso paste
- Quercetin as a supplement and from green tea, apples, and berries
- Reservatrol as a supplement
- Vitamin C as a supplement
- Vitamin D – As a supplement and from oily fish and getting some sunlight
References
- The influence of diet on anti-cancer immune responsiveness; Available at URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5859494/
- What are postbiotics?; Available at URL: https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/what-are-postbiotics
- Diet, Microbiome, and Cancer Immunotherapy—A Comprehensive Review; Available at URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/7/2217
