Cancer: Most Effective Dietary Supplements

Cancer is a complex disease where cells escape normal control mechanisms, resulting in their uncontrolled proliferation. At the root of this anomaly is a dysfunction in energy production by mitochondria, the cells' powerhouses, as well as genetic mutations.

Etiology

The causes of cancer are multiple and include genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Genetic mutations, often accumulated over time, can activate oncogenes or deactivate tumor suppressor genes, thus promoting cancer development. Additionally, environmental factors such as exposure to carcinogens (tobacco, radiation, chemicals) and chronic infections can also play a predominant role. There is also a metabolic theory of cancer, advanced by Dr. Schwartz, which emphasizes cellular energy imbalance as a triggering factor. Under normal conditions, healthy cells use their mitochondria to produce energy by burning glucose with oxygen. This process generates energy units called ATP, as well as water and carbon dioxide. However, in cancer cells, this mechanism is disrupted: even in the presence of oxygen, they opt for a less efficient energy production, called anaerobic glycolysis. This process does not completely burn glucose but partially degrades it, producing little ATP and a large amount of lactic acid. This metabolic disruption promotes the rapid proliferation of cancer cells and contributes to tumor development.

Some Statistics

The most common types of cancer include lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, followed by breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Statistics show an increase in the incidence of these cancers over time, largely due to an aging population and better detection. However, mortality has slightly decreased thanks to advances in treatments.

Drug Treatments

Cancer treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and more recently, targeted therapies and immunotherapy. These approaches aim to eliminate or destroy cancer cells, reduce tumors, and control the spread of the disease. • Surgery: Used to physically remove tumors, especially when the cancer is localized. • Radiotherapy: Uses radiation to destroy cancer cells. • Chemotherapy: Uses cytotoxic drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. • Immunotherapy: Enhances the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. • Targeted therapies: These treatments target specific abnormalities in cancer cells, such as genetic mutations, to attack them more precisely while sparing healthy cells.

Natural Approaches

Metabolic approaches aim to correct the fundamental energy imbalances of cancer cells by specifically targeting their altered metabolism. There are also ancient remedies that may be of interest as adjuvants: • Methylene blue, for example, is being explored for its potential role in mitochondrial respiration modulation. It could act as an "electron recycler" in mitochondria, thus improving energy production and reducing the proliferation of cancer cells. This molecule, long used in medicine for other indications, may interest oncological research due to its potential effects on tumor cells. • Intravenous vitamin C, administered at high doses, is being studied for its pro-oxidant properties when used at high concentrations. Unlike its antioxidant role at low doses, high concentration vitamin C can generate free radicals in cancer cells, inducing oxidative damage that contributes to cell death. Additionally, it could potentiate the effects of chemotherapy by increasing oxidative stress in cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. • Melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland, is also being explored for its potential anticancer effects. In addition to its sleep-regulating properties, melatonin has demonstrated in some studies the ability to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. It also appears to favorably modulate the immune system, thereby enhancing the body's ability to fight cancer cells.

Prevention

Cancer prevention primarily relies on lifestyle modifications, including smoking cessation, reducing exposure to carcinogens, and a balanced diet rich in antioxidants and low in fast sugars. Supplementation with vitamin D and other essential nutrients may also play a protective role by maintaining good immune function and reducing chronic inflammation.