In this blog, expert Surrey based Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist Natalie from @natnuthc delves into the complex relationship between gut health and cancer, the detrimental impacts of chemotherapy on the gut, and how functional medicine and nutritional therapy can help repair this damage, potentially improving survival rates and reducing the risk of recurrence.
When we think of cancer, our minds often jump to genetics and environmental factors like smoking and radiation. However, an emerging body of research is highlighting the critical role that gut health plays in cancer development and progression. Increased intestinal permeability, commonly known as “leaky gut,” and an imbalanced gut microbiome can lead to chronic inflammation, a well-known contributor to cancer.
The Gut Health Cancer Connection: A Surrey based Naturopathic & Nutrition Experts point of view
Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, which together form the gut microbiome. This intricate ecosystem is essential for nutrient absorption, immune function, and the prevention of pathogenic overgrowth. A well-balanced gut microbiome with effective levels of acidity in the upper gastric region is pivotal for maintaining gut integrity and overall health.
Gastric acid in the stomach is essential for effective absorption of key nutrients, without the right level of gastric acid you will struggle to absorb Vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium, and Iron for example. Without effective absorption of these nutrients your body will struggle to synthesis and metabolise key elements necessary for health such as immune cells, hormone cells, energy and cells may struggle to communicate with each other to create essential homeostatic control of our internal environment.
In addition, when the gastric acid is too low, bacterial overgrowth (often referred to as SIBO) can develop in the upper areas of the gut, we don’t want bacterial overgrowth in the upper areas e.g. in the stomach or the small intestine; instead to maintain health including effective nutrient absorption and homeostatic control our gut microbiome/bacterial levels should be in the large intestine.
A well-balanced microbiome in the large intestine is essential to overall health. It is not just about having an abundance of bacteria in this region; it is about having the right levels of each type; and managing it is like balancing ‘10 trillion seesaws all at once’. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as “leaky gut.”, as well as reduced levels of SigA a marker of gut immune function. All these areas can be evaluated via a comprehensive stool test, which can be found via our website.
Leaky Gut and Inflammation: The Cancer Catalyst
Increased intestinal permeability, or leaky gut, means that the lining of the gut barrier has become compromised; in essence toxins that were detoxed by the liver and headed for the toilet, have the potential to leak back into the blood stream. Once in the bloodstream they cause havoc because the immune system responds by trying to attack them. If this threat is continuous because of long term compromise to the gut lining then the immune system will keep responding to the threat by continuously attacking, and it does this by driving up inflammation. Inflammation should only really be present during an acute situation so that the immune system can do its job, solve the problem, and then go back into a rest state, but problems arise when the inflammation becomes chronic and is constantly switched on.
Chronic inflammation can lead to a host of health issues, including cancer, auto-immune disease, and insulin resistance.
Here’s how inflammation participates in cancer development and mediation:
DNA Damage
Chronic inflammation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species, which can cause DNA damage. This can lead to mutations that may ultimately result in cancer.
Tumour Growth and Metastasis
Inflammatory markers like cytokines and chemokines create a tumour-friendly environment by promoting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and aiding in metastasis (the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body).
Immune System Suppression
Prolonged inflammation can suppress the immune system, making it less effective at identifying and destroying cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Collateral Damage to the Gut
While chemotherapy is essential for cancer treatment, it comes with several side effects, many of which impact gut health.
This does not mean that you do not follow your oncologists advise, quite the opposite, instead you can recruit the help of a naturopath and nutrition expert with cancer experience to add another layer of care to the treatment you will be getting via your oncologist. A suitably qualified and experienced nutritional therapist can help ensure you can get appropriate support to help optimise your well-being, especially GUT healing support to optimise the gut health cancer connection.
Chemotherapy drugs are designed to kill rapidly dividing cells, but they cannot distinguish between cancer cells and healthy cells, including those in the gut lining, and thus chemotherapy can have the following effects on the gut:
Disruption of the Gut Microbiome
Chemotherapy can severely disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome. This imbalance can weaken the gut’s integrity, leading to increased intestinal permeability and further inflammation.
Damage to the Gut Lining
The cells lining the gut have a high turnover rate, making them particularly susceptible to chemotherapy-induced damage. This damage exacerbates gut permeability and inflammation.
Hence, the fundamental importance of naturopathic and nutritional led GUT support during and after chemotherapy treatment.
Naturopathic Nutrition Support and Functional Medicine for Gut Repair
Recovering from the potential gut damage inflicted by chemotherapy is crucial for improving cancer survival rates and reducing recurrence risks. There are two approaches one can take; you can either assume that gut damage has been inflicted and focus on generalised gut healing work, or ideally if the budget allows you can invest in a comprehensive stool test, so you can see exactly what damage and imbalance has taken place and then you can enlist the help of a suitably qualified nutritional therapist who can very specifically tailor the gut healing approach to the individual needs based on your stool test results.
You can learn more about our comprehensive gut (stool) testing services here.
The whole concept of naturopathic nutritional support is about personalised care, tailored each individuals specific needs, goals and lifestyle, but generalised naturopathic gut support, from a functional medicine perspective, combined with nutritional therapy to support the gut health cancer connection may involve:
Balanced Diet
- Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytochemicals to combat inflammation and to help promote the growth of microbes that support the gut lining.
- Fibre-Rich Foods: Fibrous foods like fruits, vegetables, leafy green and whole grains help nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support healthy gut motility.
- Avoid Pro-inflammatory Foods: Reduce intake of sugar, processed foods, and trans fats, which can exacerbate inflammation and damage the gut lining.
Medications
- Never cease medications without the support of your medical practitioners, but you may want to consider the impact of certain medications, which are found to reduce stomach acidity and thus reduce nutrient absorption or cause SIBO, and/or are known to damage the lining of the gut. Such medications include: proton pump inhibitors (aka omeprazole/lansoprazole), clopidogrel, NSAID’s, antacids, and even the oral contraceptive pill for example.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
- Probiotics: Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables can help restore the gut’s beneficial bacteria. High-quality probiotic supplements can also be beneficial but knowing what specific probiotics to take can be tricky without a comprehensive stool test. A stool test can help us understand specifically which bacteria’s you are short on, and thus which ones to supplement with. Learn more about stool testing here.
- Prebiotics: Foods like garlic, onions, and chicory function as food for beneficial bacteria and promote a healthier gut environment.
Supplements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These have potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and support our gut microbiome.
- Vitamin D: Essential for maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier and reducing chronic inflammation.
Stress Management
- Chronic stress can negatively impact gut health, in essence during a sympathetic fight-flight response the body de-prioritises blood flow to the gut. This means the gut lining does not get the nutrients (delivered via blood flow) it needs to maintain its health. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises can help manage stress levels, promoting a healthier gut.
At NatNutHC we have worked with numerous patients throughout London and the South of England especially those living in Epsom and Worcester Park, Surrey and Sussex. We are experienced in supporting those with breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, as well as tongue and throat cancer. Optimising gut health to minimise the risks associated with the gut health cancer connection are always key to the work we do, and should be fundamental elements of any naturopathic nutrition experts tool kit. Visit our GUT Health Clinic, as well as our Cancer Clinic here today.
If you would like more information on the best diet and supplements for your particular needs and for more details on how nutritional therapy and functional medicine can support you, get in touch today via: info@natnuthc.co.uk, or visit our website: www.natnuthc.co.uk and book your FREE 15-minute no obligation discovery call to find out in more detail how we can help transform well-being.
Alternatively, please follow us on Instagram or facebook @natnuthc for more tips and advice on how naturopathic and nutritional health care can support you and your family.
If you liked this post, you may also like:
Glutathione, Breast Cancer and why genetic testing is crucial for your cancer survivorship plan
Uncovering the Root of Ill Health: The Power of a Comprehensive Stool Test in Functional Nutrition
GUT Health Connection: How the Digestive System Impacts Overall Health
The Power of the Gut-Brain Axis: Nurturing Vagal Tone for Optimal Health
Book your Free 15-minute Discovery call with Natalie @natnuthc to find out exactly how we can transform your mental & physical health.
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The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or nutritional advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or health care regimen. Individual needs may vary, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another.
