Which cancer would benefit from including Astragalus in their diet?

Highlights

Astragalus 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 Astragalus 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, Astragalus could benefit those with Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma undergoing Mitomycin, but it might not be good for patients receiving Azacitidine for Primary Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia. Furthermore, while Astragalus could help individuals with a genetic risk factor “CTNNB1”, it may not be suggested for those with a different genetic risk “ATM”. Personalizing diet plans based on health, treatment, and genetics is essential.

Understanding that making a decision on the suitability of Astragalus 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 Astragalus 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 Astragalus 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.

The critical question arises: Should you incorporate Astragalus into your diet as a food item or a supplement? Is it advisable to consume Astragalus if you have a genetic predisposition to cancer associated with the CTNNB1 gene? What if instead your genetic risk stems from the ATM gene? Is it beneficial to include Astragalus in your diet if you’re diagnosed with Primary Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, or if your diagnosis is Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma? Moreover, how should your consumption of Astragalus be adjusted if you’re undergoing Mitomycin treatment or if your treatment plan shifts from Mitomycin to Azacitidine? It’s essential to recognize that simplistic assertions like ‘Astragalus is natural, so it’s always beneficial’ or ‘Astragalus boosts immunity’ are insufficient for informed food/supplement choices.

Additionally, it’s essential to reassess the appropriateness of including Astragalus in your diet if there are changes in your treatment regimen. In summary, when making decisions about incorporating foods or supplements like Astragalus 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 Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, 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 Astragalus. Does a genetic risk for cancer stemming from a mutation in the CTNNB1 have the same biochemical pathway implications as a mutation in the ATM? From a nutritional standpoint, does the risk associated with Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma equate to Primary Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia? Furthermore, does the dietary consideration remain the same for those undergoing Azacitidine as for those receiving Mitomycin? These considerations are crucial in making informed food choices for individuals with different genetic risks and cancer treatments.

Astragalus – A Nutritional Supplement

The supplement Astragalus encompasses a range of active ingredients, including Quercetin, Kaempferol, Isorhamnetin, Isoferulic Acid and Folic Acid, each present at varying concentrations. These ingredients influence molecular pathways, specifically NFKB Signaling, MYC Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Cytoskeletal Dynamics, 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 Astragalus, alone or in combination, becomes a critical decision in the context of cancer nutrition. When considering using Astragalus for cancer, it’s essential to consider these various factors and mechanisms. This is because, similar to cancer treatments, the use of Astragalus is not a universal decision suitable for all cancers but needs to be personalized.

Choosing Astragalus Supplements

Addressing the question ‘When should I avoid Astragalus 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 Astragalus 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 Astragalus is appropriate or should be avoided, underlining the importance of personalized consideration in such decisions.

1. Will Astragalus Supplements benefit Primary Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia Patients undergoing Azacitidine treatment?

Primary Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia is characterized by particular genetic mutations, namely PTPN11, NRAS and NF1, which lead to alterations in biochemical pathways, specifically MYC Signaling, Angiogenesis, C-type Lectin Receptor Signaling, G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling, Growth Factor Signaling, MAPK Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. The effectiveness of a cancer treatment, such as Azacitidine, 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 Astragalus supplement, which affects the MYC Signaling, may not be the right choice in the case of Primary Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia when undergoing Azacitidine. 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 Astragalus 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 NFKB Signaling, 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 Astragalus supplement is a rational option for those with Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma undergoing Mitomycin. This is because Astragalus influences pathways such as NFKB Signaling, which can either inhibit the factors driving Primary Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma or benefit the effectiveness of the Mitomycin.

3. Are Astragalus Supplements Safe for Healthy Individuals with ATM 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 ATM gene is commonly included in these panels for cancer risk assessment.

A mutation in the ATM gene affects biochemical pathways or processes, such as PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and DNA Repair, which are directly or indirectly involved in driving cancer at the molecular level. When a genetic panel identifies a mutation in the ATM associated with an increased risk of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, scientific rationale suggests avoiding use of supplement Astragalus. This is because supplement Astragalus influences pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, which can lead to adverse effects in the context of the ATM mutation and related cancer conditions.

4. Are Astragalus Supplements Safe for Healthy Individuals with CTNNB1 Mutation Associated Genetic Risk?

CTNNB1 plays a crucial role in cancer risk assessment. Mutations in CTNNB1 can disrupt critical biochemical pathways, including Cytoskeletal Dynamics, Adherens junction and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, which influence cancer development. If your genetic panel reveals mutations in CTNNB1 associated with Adrenocortical Carcinoma, consider incorporating Astragalus supplements in your nutrition plan. These supplements can positively influence pathways like Cytoskeletal Dynamics, benefit by providing relevant support for individuals with CTNNB1 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 Astragalus, 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.

References

• cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics
• Downregulation of NO and PGE2 in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells by trans-isoferulic acid via suppression of PI3K/Akt-dependent NF-κB and activation of Nrf2-mediated HO-1.
• Cancer therapy shapes the fitness landscape of clonal hematopoiesis.
• Sequential protooncogene expression in regenerating kidney following acute renal injury.
• BRD4 Inhibition Enhances Azacitidine Efficacy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes.
• Piperine (PP) enhanced mitomycin-C (MMC) therapy of human cervical cancer through suppressing Bcl-2 signaling pathway via inactivating STAT3/NF-κB.