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4.3.1 Metabolic Health and Cancer

Apr 9, 2025

Systems Approach to Cancer - Lecture Notes

Lecturer: Dr. Nina Fuller-Shavel

Disclaimer

  • Healthcare information is provided to practitioners
  • Not a substitute for medical advice
  • Legal status of herbs and products not evaluated
  • Information not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure diseases

Systems Approach to Cancer

  • Key Health Aspects:
    • Healthy microbiome balance and GI function
    • Balanced immune function
    • Effective detoxification
    • Healthy circulation and tissue architecture
    • Mitochondrial and metabolic health
    • Hormone balance
    • Balanced methylation and genomic stability
    • Mental, emotional, and spiritual health
    • Supporting metabolic and mitochondrial health

Metabolic Dysregulation and Cancer

  • Key Factors:
    • Obesity
    • Insulin resistance/diabetes
    • Raised IGF-1
    • Importance of meta-inflammation

Obesity and Cancer

  • IGF-1 and Cancer:
    • IGF-1R related to therapy resistance
  • Dietary Management of IGF-1 Axis:
    • Low GL/GI diet
    • Mediterranean diet
    • Moderate protein restriction effective in BRCA mutation carriers
    • Calorie restriction not feasible; requires over 50% reduction
    • Fasting and managing dairy intake crucial

PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

  • Counter-regulators like AMPK
  • Importance of glucose in mitochondrial dysfunction

Key Aspects during Patient Intake

  • Medical and family history
  • Current medications
  • Nutritional assessment
  • Lifestyle analysis
  • Anthropometrics and recent blood test results

Testing Recommendations

  • Blood tests: HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting lipids
  • Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR
  • Inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP)
  • Specialist tests (e.g., IGF-1)
  • Genetic testing: SNPs, DNA Health

Foundational Interventions

  • Low GL, anti-inflammatory, colorful, high phytonutrient, wholefood-based diet
  • Moderate protein intake
  • Healthy fats focus (EVOO, avocado oil, nuts/seeds, fish)
  • Limited dairy intake
  • Consider short-term anti-inflammatory ketogenic diet if needed
  • Avoid alcohol and refined sugars
  • Implement overnight fasting (13-16 hours)
  • Manage sleep and stress
  • Encourage regular physical activity
  • Maintain healthy weight and reduce visceral fat

Specific Interventions

  • Insulin Sensitivity:
    • Supplements: berberine, chromium, citrus bergamot, omega-3, bitter melon, cinnamon, green tea extract
    • Herbal remedies: Panax ginseng, tulsi
    • Gymnema used carefully due to insulin release effects
  • IGF-1 Reduction:
    • Use of natural AMPK activators and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

  • Target mitochondrial reprogramming as part of cancer therapy

Summary of Metabolic and Mitochondrial Health

  • Assess and monitor metabolic status
  • Prioritize nutrition and lifestyle changes
  • Avoid added fructose, refined sugars, and alcohol
  • Minimize dairy
  • Incorporate fasting, exercise, and manage stress/sleep
  • Consider tailored supplementation with awareness of limited evidence base

References

  • Extensive list of academic references supporting the discussed topics