Oncological Functional Nutrition: Phytochemical... Here
Oncological Functional Nutrition: The Power of Phytochemicals
Functional nutrition emphasizes that these compounds rarely work in isolation. Their effectiveness is often amplified through —the interaction of different foods that increases their collective potency. For example, the piperine in black pepper significantly increases the bioavailability of curcumin in turmeric. Clinical Objectives
By shifting the focus from "what to avoid" to "what to include," oncological functional nutrition empowers patients to use their plate as a proactive tool in their therapeutic journey. Oncological Functional Nutrition: Phytochemical...
: Some phytochemicals, such as sulforaphane (found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli), help "re-program" cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which is often bypassed by malignant cells.
: Compounds like lycopene (found in tomatoes) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) (found in green tea) neutralize free radicals, preventing the DNA damage that can lead to mutations. Clinical Objectives By shifting the focus from "what
: Chronic inflammation is a known driver of cancer progression. Curcumin (from turmeric) and quercetin (found in onions and apples) inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways, such as NF-κB, creating an environment less conducive to tumor growth.
: Supporting the liver and gut microbiome to better process chemotherapy and radiation. : Chronic inflammation is a known driver of
: Certain nutrients can help inhibit the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Resveratrol (found in red grape skins) is frequently studied for its ability to restrict this nutrient supply to tumors. Functional Synergy in the Oncological Diet