: 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.
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 Oncological Functional Nutrition: Phytochemical...
: Strengthening the "natural killer" (NK) cells' ability to identify and target abnormal cells. : Chronic inflammation is a known driver of
: 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. : Some phytochemicals, such as sulforaphane (found in
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 is a specialized approach to diet that focuses on using bioavailable compounds—specifically —to support the body during cancer prevention, treatment, and recovery . Rather than just providing calories, this approach views food as a complex biological system capable of modulating cellular environments. The Role of Phytochemicals
: Managing insulin levels and glycemic load, as high insulin can act as a growth factor for certain cancers.