A new study shows that the high-fiber diet not only...Improved intestinal health, but also prevents the progression of skin cancer. Researchers have found a link between high fiber intake and better responses to immunotherapy for melanoma. Accordingly, every 5 gram increase in daily fiber consumption was associated with a 30% lower risk of death from cancer.
The study results suggested that the benefits were greatest in people who did not take probiotic supplements. Those who responded well to treatment tended to have more of two specific types of bacteria in their gut. Foods containing fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, are known to have an impressive range of health benefits. In addition, high-fiber diets are linked to better weight control and a lower risk of heart disease or diabetes. People who eat a lot of fiber also tend to have better gut health, in part due to the effects of fiber on the community of microorganisms that live in their gut, known as the gut microbiota. The authors of the present observational study were now able to show that intestinal microbes have a positive influence on the response to immunotherapy in cancer. However, the research team did not sufficiently investigate the role of probiotic supplements.
Study participants were significantly more likely to survive without their cancer getting worse after about 13 months of fiber treatment. The scientific team found that those who responded well to immunotherapy had higher levels of a family of bacteria called Ruminococcaceae and a species called Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in their gut. These bacteria help digest fiber and starch. For the purposes of the study, the scientists defined an adequate daily fiber intake of at least 20 g of fiber. These were contained in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grain products. In summary, supportedthis studythe need for more careful investigations into the effects of current commercially available probiotics on response to cancer immunotherapy.
