Emerging research has uncovered a powerful ally in the fight against cancer: the human gut microbiome.
This community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes living in our gut influences nearly every aspect of health, from digestion to immunity. Researchers now recognize that the microbiome plays a crucial role in cancer prevention and may even impact how well patients respond to treatment.
A healthy gut biome – one that contains a balanced and diverse community of microorganisms – protects the body against cancer in multiple ways. Chronic inflammation is a known driver of many cancers, and an unhealthy gut microbiome can contribute to this process. When good or beneficial bacteria thrive, they produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which help lower inflammation and maintain gut health.
However, dysbiosis – overgrowth of harmful bacteria – produces toxins and cause inflammation that can cause cancer cells to grow more easily. Bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, brain fog, fatigue, weak immunity, acne, and eczema are signs of dysbiosis.
The microbiome also plays a crucial role in one’s immunity. Nearly 70% of immune cells are in the gut. The gut bacteria that live there help train these cells to recognize and fight harmful invaders, including cancer cells.
Beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, have been shown to support the body’s ability to detect and destroy abnormal cells before they develop into tumors. In addition, the microbiome assists in detoxifying the body by breaking down carcinogens from food and the environment, reducing their exposure to the body and related chances of the cells developing into cancer.
Researchers are uncovering the gut microbiome’s role in cancer treatment, influencing the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Certain gut bacteria help break down chemotherapy drugs, enhancing their impact while reducing side effects like nausea and fatigue. The microbiome also supports DNA repair and inflammation control, aiding recovery from radiation therapy. In immunotherapy, which boosts the immune system’s ability to target cancer, a balanced microbiome may improve treatment response by strengthening immune function and tumor recognition. Researchers are even exploring fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), where beneficial microbes from a healthy donor help restore gut balance and enhance treatment success.
Eating traditional Hawaiian foods supports a thriving gut microbiome by nourishing beneficial bacteria. Probiotics introduce good bacteria that aid digestion, enhance immune function, and reduce inflammation, while prebiotics feed these microbes, ensuring a balanced gut environment.
Fermented foods like poi, kimchi, natto, and yogurt are rich in probiotics, while kalo, ʻuala, ʻulu and bananas provide prebiotic fiber that sustains beneficial bacteria. A combination of both prebiotic and probiotic foods is essential for maintaining gut health.
On the other hand, processed foods, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, excessive animal products, and alcohol disrupt the microbiome, promoting inflammation, yeast overgrowth, and gut dysbiosis, which can contribute to leaky gut syndrome and increased disease risk.
Supporting gut health through a nutrient-dense, fiber-rich diet is a crucial step in cancer prevention, treatment, and overall wellbeing.
