A recent study suggests that enhancing the diets of cancer patients with nutritious food and beneficial bacteria may help impede tumor growth. In an international trial involving prostate cancer patients, the use of supplements resulted in a slowdown of a key prostate cancer indicator in the blood. The supplement, containing ingredients like broccoli, turmeric, pomegranate, green tea, ginger, and cranberry, also led to improvements in urinary symptoms over a four-month period.
The addition of a probiotic containing Lactobacillus bacteria appeared to lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood, potentially indicating a reduction in disease activity. Professor Robert Thomas, the lead author of the study, emphasized the positive impact of improving gut bacteria balance on prostate cancer progression and men’s health, including urinary symptoms, inflammation, and physical strength.
Probiotics are live microorganisms known for their health benefits and are commonly found in yogurt or taken as supplements. They are considered beneficial bacteria that can help restore the natural balance of gut bacteria, known as the microbiome. Disruption of this balance can occur due to illness, medications, or a diet lacking fresh, whole foods. Scientists recognize the critical role of these microorganisms in maintaining overall health, particularly in supporting the immune system.
The trial, conducted by a team from the University of Bedfordshire in collaboration with experts from Cambridge University, Bedford Hospital, and institutions in California and Australia, involved 212 men with low-risk prostate cancer. The vegetable-rich supplement provided in the study contained phytochemical-rich foods known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Half of the participants received a placebo, while the other half also received a probiotic containing Lactobacillus.
Results showed a significant slowdown in PSA progression in both groups, with a more pronounced effect observed in the group receiving the probiotic. MRI scans were used to assess disease progression during the study period. The study, published in the European Urology Oncology journal, revealed that a higher percentage of men who received the supplement and probiotic combination experienced stable disease or even disease regression compared to those who received the supplement and placebo.
Dr. Jeffrey Aldous, a senior lecturer in exercise physiology at the University of Bedfordshire, highlighted the potential of targeted dietary interventions in positively influencing the gut microbiome to benefit cancer-related markers and overall well-being. Dr. Hayley Luxton, a spokesperson for Prostate Cancer UK, expressed optimism about the study’s findings, indicating the importance of diet and gut health in prostate cancer management and men’s overall health.
While further research is needed to fully understand the role of probiotics and supplements in cancer treatment, maintaining a balanced and healthy diet is recommended for overall well-being.