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is a very common question. Personalized Nutrition Plans are foods and supplements which are personalized to a cancer indication, genes, any treatments and lifestyle conditions.

Which cancer would benefit from including Calendula in their diet?

Jan 30, 2024

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Highlights

Calendula is widely recognized for its health benefits and is frequently used by cancer patients and those at genetic risk. Yet, the safety and effectiveness of Calendula for cancer patients depend on many factors like the cancer indication, chemotherapy, other treatments, and the tumor’s genetics. Knowing that some foods and supplements, such as grapefruit and spinach, might interact poorly with cancer medications and cause adverse reactions is crucial.

Diet is critical for cancer treatment as it can affect treatment outcomes. Cancer patients must carefully select and incorporate suitable foods and supplements into their diets. For example, Calendula could benefit those with Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma undergoing Mitomycin, but it might not be good for patients receiving Lenalidomide for Primary Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Furthermore, while Calendula could help individuals with a genetic risk factor “KMT2D”, it may not be suggested for those with a different genetic risk “ASXL1”. Personalizing diet plans based on health, treatment, and genetics is essential.

Understanding that making a decision on the suitability of Calendula for a cancer patient needs to be individualized is crucial. Critical factors like the type of cancer, treatment methods, genetic makeup, genetic risks, age, body weight, and lifestyle are vital in deciding if Calendula is the appropriate choice. Genetics and genomics, in particular, is a significant consideration. Since these factors can evolve, it’s essential to regularly review and adapt dietary choices to match changes in health status and treatment.

In conclusion, a holistic approach to dietary choices is vital, focusing on the overall effects of all active components in foods/supplements like Calendula instead of assessing each active ingredient separately or ignoring it completely. This broad perspective fosters a more rational and scientific approach to diet planning for cancer.



Brief Overview

Use of plant-based foods and supplements, such as vitamins, herbs, minerals, probiotics, and various specialized supplements, are rising among cancer patients. These supplements are designed to deliver high concentrations of specific active ingredients, many of which are also in different foods. The concentration and diversity of active ingredients differ between whole foods and supplements. Foods typically offer a range of active ingredients but at lower concentrations, while supplements provide higher concentrations of specific ingredients.

Considering the varied scientific and biological functions of each active ingredient at the molecular level, it’s crucial to account for the combined effects of these components when deciding on foods and supplements to eat or not.

Calendula supplement benefits for cancer patients and genetic risks

The critical question arises: Should you incorporate Calendula into your diet as a food item or a supplement? Is it advisable to consume Calendula if you have a genetic predisposition to cancer associated with the KMT2D gene? What if instead your genetic risk stems from the ASXL1 gene? Is it beneficial to include Calendula in your diet if you’re diagnosed with Primary Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, or if your diagnosis is Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma? Moreover, how should your consumption of Calendula be adjusted if you’re undergoing Mitomycin treatment or if your treatment plan shifts from Mitomycin to Lenalidomide? It’s essential to recognize that simplistic assertions like ‘Calendula is natural, so it’s always beneficial’ or ‘Calendula boosts immunity’ are insufficient for informed food/supplement choices.

Additionally, it’s essential to reassess the appropriateness of including Calendula in your diet if there are changes in your treatment regimen. In summary, when making decisions about incorporating foods or supplements like Calendula into your diet for its benefits, you should consider the overall biochemical effects of all ingredients, considering factors such as the type of cancer, the specific treatments you’re undergoing, genetic predispositions, and lifestyle choices.

Cancer

Cancer remains a significant challenge in the medical field, often causing widespread anxiety. However, recent advancements have improved treatment outcomes, notably through personalized treatment approaches, non-invasive monitoring methods using blood and saliva samples, and the development of immunotherapy. Early detection and timely intervention have been crucial in positively influencing overall treatment outcomes.

Genetic testing offers significant promise in evaluating cancer risk and susceptibility early on. However, for many individuals with familial and genetic predispositions to cancer, options for therapeutic intervention, even with regular monitoring, are often limited or none. Once diagnosed with a specific type of cancer, such as Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Primary Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, treatment strategies need to be customized based on the individual’s tumor genetics, the stage of the disease, as well as factors like age and gender.”

Post-treatment, ongoing monitoring is essential to detect any signs of cancer relapse and to inform subsequent decisions. Many cancer patients and those at risk often seek advice on incorporating certain foods and supplements into their diets, which plays a crucial role in their overall decision-making process regarding health management.

The critical question is whether to factor in genetic risks and specific cancer diagnoses when deciding on dietary choices, such as Calendula. Does a genetic risk for cancer stemming from a mutation in the KMT2D have the same biochemical pathway implications as a mutation in the ASXL1? From a nutritional standpoint, does the risk associated with Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma equate to Primary Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance? Furthermore, does the dietary consideration remain the same for those undergoing Lenalidomide as for those receiving Mitomycin? These considerations are crucial in making informed food choices for individuals with different genetic risks and cancer treatments.

Calendula – A Nutritional Supplement

The supplement Calendula encompasses a range of active ingredients, including Quercetagetin and Esculetin, each present at varying concentrations. These ingredients influence molecular pathways, specifically Apoptosis, Angiogenesis, RUNX Signaling and MYC Signaling, which regulate critical aspects of cancer at the cellular level, such as tumor growth, spread, and cell death. Given this biological influence, selecting the appropriate supplements like Calendula, alone or in combination, becomes a critical decision in the context of cancer nutrition. When considering using Calendula for cancer, it’s essential to consider these various factors and mechanisms. This is because, similar to cancer treatments, the use of Calendula is not a universal decision suitable for all cancers but needs to be personalized.

Choosing Calendula Supplements

Addressing the question ‘When should I avoid Calendula in the context of Cancer’ is challenging because the answer is highly individualized – it simply ‘Depends!’. Similar to how any cancer treatment may not be effective for every patient, the relevance and safety or benefits of Calendula varies depending on personal circumstances. Factors such as the specific type of cancer, genetic predispositions, current treatments, other supplements being taken, lifestyle habits, BMI, and any allergies all play a role in determining whether Calendula is appropriate or should be avoided, underlining the importance of personalized consideration in such decisions.

Foods to Eat After Cancer Diagnosis!

No two cancers are the same. Go beyond the common nutrition guidelines for everyone and make personalized decisions about food and supplements with confidence.

1. Will Calendula Supplements benefit Primary Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance Patients undergoing Lenalidomide treatment?

Primary Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is characterized by particular genetic mutations, namely LATS2, ZMYM2 and CDK8, which lead to alterations in biochemical pathways, specifically Angiogenesis and Hippo Signaling. The effectiveness of a cancer treatment, such as Lenalidomide, is contingent on its mechanism of action on these specific pathways. The ideal strategy involves aligning the treatment’s action with the pathways driving the cancer, thereby ensuring a personalized and effective approach. In such scenarios, avoiding foods or nutritional supplements that might counteract the treatment’s effects or diminish this alignment is crucial. For instance, the Calendula supplement, which affects the Angiogenesis, may not be the right choice in the case of Primary Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance when undergoing Lenalidomide. This is because it may either exacerbate the disease’s progression or interfere with the treatment’s efficacy. When choosing a nutrition plan, it’s important to consider factors such as cancer type, ongoing treatments, age, gender, BMI, lifestyle, and any known genetic mutations.

2. Will Calendula Supplements benefit Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients undergoing Mitomycin Treatment?

Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma is identified by specific genetic mutations, such as ABRAXAS1, PIK3CB and NUP93, which result in changes in biochemical pathways, particularly Apoptosis, Hematopoiesis and Inositol Phosphate Signaling. The efficacy of a cancer treatment, like Mitomycin, is determined by its interaction with these pathways. The aim is to ensure that the treatment aligns well with the pathways that drive the cancer, enabling a personalized treatment approach. In this context, foods or supplements that are compatible with the treatment or enhance this alignment should be considered. For example, the Calendula supplement is a rational option for those with Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma undergoing Mitomycin. This is because Calendula influences pathways such as Apoptosis, which can either inhibit the factors driving Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma or benefit the effectiveness of the Mitomycin.

Which cancer would benefit from including Calendula in their diet?

3. Are Calendula Supplements Safe for Healthy Individuals with ASXL1 Mutation Associated Genetic Risk?

Various companies provide gene panels for assessing the genetic risk of different types of cancers. These panels include genes linked to breast, ovarian, uterine, prostate, and gastrointestinal cancers. Testing these genes can confirm a diagnosis and inform treatment and management strategies. Identifying a variant that causes disease can further assist in the testing and diagnosing of relatives who may be at risk. The ASXL1 gene is commonly included in these panels for cancer risk assessment.

A mutation in the ASXL1 gene affects biochemical pathways or processes, such as RUNX Signaling, Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and Suppressive Histone Methylation, which are directly or indirectly involved in driving cancer at the molecular level. When a genetic panel identifies a mutation in the ASXL1 associated with an increased risk of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, scientific rationale suggests avoiding use of supplement Calendula. This is because supplement Calendula influences pathways like RUNX Signaling, which can lead to adverse effects in the context of the ASXL1 mutation and related cancer conditions.

4. Are Calendula Supplements Safe for Healthy Individuals with KMT2D Mutation Associated Genetic Risk?

KMT2D plays a crucial role in cancer risk assessment. Mutations in KMT2D can disrupt critical biochemical pathways, including MYC Signaling and Oncogenic Histone Methylation, which influence cancer development. If your genetic panel reveals mutations in KMT2D associated with Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma, consider incorporating Calendula supplements in your nutrition plan. These supplements can positively influence pathways like MYC Signaling, benefit by providing relevant support for individuals with KMT2D mutations and related health concerns.

In Conclusion

The two most important things to remember are that cancer treatments and nutrition are never the same for everyone. Nutrition, including food and supplements like Calendula, is an effective tool that can be controlled by you while facing cancer.

“What should I eat?” is the most commonly asked question by cancer patients and those at-risk of cancer. The correct response is that it depends on factors such as cancer type, genetics of tumor, current treatments, allergies, lifestyle, and BMI.

Get your nutrition personalization for cancer from addon by clicking the link below and answering questions about your cancer type, treatment, lifestyle, allergies, age, and gender.

Personalized Nutrition for Cancer!

Cancer changes with time. Customize and modify your nutrition based on cancer indication, treatments, lifestyle, food preferences, allergies and other factors.

References

Scientifically Reviewed by: Dr. Cogle

Christopher R. Cogle, M.D. is a tenured professor at the University of Florida, Chief Medical Officer of Florida Medicaid, and Director of the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

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