Medicinal plants are being used for therapeutic purposes since the dawn of human civilization. In India, Haldi has been known for ages to have healing, anti-inflammatory effects. Numerous scientific studies have been done to observe effects of curcumin in cancer management. Earlier, studies were focused to just the anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant effects and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in cancer patients.
It has been confirmed that piperine has many bioactive effects, such as antimicrobial action, as well as many physiological effects that can contribute to general human health, including immune-modulatory, hepato-protective, antioxidant, anti-metastatic, antitumor, and many other activities. Clinical studies demonstrated remarkable antioxidant, antitumor, and drug availability-enhancing characteristics of this compound, together with immunomodulatory potential.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that it dissolves in water and is delivered to the body’s tissues but is not well stored, so it must be taken daily through food or supplements. Even before its discovery in 1932, nutrition experts recognized that something in citrus fruits could prevent scurvy, a disease that killed as many as two million sailors between 1500 and 1800.
Zinc is a trace mineral, meaning that the body only needs small amounts, and yet it is necessary for almost 100 enzymes to carry out vital chemical reactions. It is a major player in the creation of DNA, growth of cells, building proteins, healing damaged tissue, and supporting a healthy immune system. Zinc is an essential micronutrient for basic cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation, and survival. It’s deficiency depresses both innate and adaptive immune responses.
Glutamine is the most abundant non-essential amino acid found in the body. It’s made in the muscles and transferred by the blood into different organ systems. Glutamine is a building block for making proteins in the body; provides nitrogen for arginine, purine, pyrimidine synthesis; transports amino-nitrogen to intestines, liver and kidney. It’s also needed to make other amino acids and glucose. It is synthesized predominantly in skeletal muscles.
Ubiquinol, a highly potent antioxidant, is the active form of CoQ10 and plays a key role in producing the cellular energy your organs need to keep functioning – for example, cellular energy is what makes your cells function. It is present in all cells with higher concentrations found in the liver, kidney, heart, and pancreas; and is needed for energy production of cells. Just like a lamp is powered by electricity, a car is powered by petrol, diesel or CNG gas, our heart and other vital organs are powered by cellular energy.
Wheat germ oil is extracted from the germ of the wheat kernel, which makes up only 2.5% by weight of the kernel. wheat germ oil is as valuable as gold.
The oil gets extracted through the cold-pressing method without exposure to oxygen and light to prevent the loss of essential nutrients. Wheat germ oil is particularly high in octacosanol – a 28-carbon long-chain saturated primary alcohol found in a number of different vegetable waxes.
But, recently studies have found effects in specific cancer types and how it acts on the cell signaling pathways involved in cancer development and proliferation, and which are targeted by curcumin. Curcumin has been reported to modulate growth factors, enzymes, transcription factors, kinase, inflammatory cytokines, and proapoptotic (by upregulation) and antiapoptotic (by downregulation) proteins.
Curcumin is also known for its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to the development of cancer. By scavenging free radicals, curcumin may have a protective effect on cells.
Curcumin has been shown to affect various cellular pathways and molecular targets that play a role in cancer development. It may influence the expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis (programmed cell death), and metastasis.
Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel formation, which is essential for the growth and spread of tumors. Some studies suggest that curcumin may have anti-angiogenic effects, meaning it could potentially inhibit the formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors.
Curcumin may modulate the immune system, potentially enhancing the body's natural defense mechanisms against cancer cells. It could stimulate immune cells and enhance their activity.
Many studies demonstrating the anti-cancer effects of curcumin have been conducted in laboratory settings (in vitro) or on animals (in vivo). While these studies provide valuable insights, it's crucial to note that the effectiveness observed in preclinical studies may not always translate directly to human clinical trials.
Medicinal plants are being used for therapeutic purposes since the dawn of human civilization. In India, Haldi has been known for ages to have healing, anti-inflammatory effects. Numerous scientific studies have been done to observe effects of curcumin in cancer management. Earlier, studies were focused to just the anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant effects and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in cancer patients.
But, recently studies have found effects in specific cancer types and how it acts on the cell signaling pathways involved in cancer development and proliferation, and which are targeted by curcumin. Curcumin has been reported to modulate growth factors, enzymes, transcription factors, kinase, inflammatory cytokines, and proapoptotic (by upregulation) and antiapoptotic (by downregulation) proteins.
Studies have been so promising that now there is talk about this polyphenol compound, alone or combined with other agents, could represent an effective drug for cancer therapy.
Although, curcumin has showed excellent anticancer properties, yet its inherent poor solubility, higher metabolic activity and poor pharmacokinetics properties resulting in poor absorption and assimilation, hamper its ability to emerge as a potent medicine for cancer.
Nanoparticle formulations have solved these issues with absorption and assimilation. Cancer care kit contains curcumin in easily absorbable and assimilated form as Nano-curcumin.
Besides its activity against cancer, curcumin has shown positive results in management of other co-morbidities that cancer patients usually have such as diabetes, cardiac disorders, hypertension, dyslipidemia, respiratory disorders, joint problems and neurological problems.
Though turmeric milk has shown its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect for ages, it’s not possible to achieve the doses needed for anti-cancer effect. The dose of curcumin in cancer care kit is approximately equal to that in six glasses of turmeric milk.
It has been confirmed that piperine has many bioactive effects, such as antimicrobial action, as well as many physiological effects that can contribute to general human health, including immune-modulatory, hepato-protective, antioxidant, anti-metastatic, antitumor, and many other activities. Clinical studies demonstrated remarkable antioxidant, antitumor, and drug availability-enhancing characteristics of this compound, together with immunomodulatory potential. All these facts point to the therapeutic potential of piperine and the need to incorporate this compound into general health-enhancing medical formulations, as well as into those that would be used as adjunctive therapy in order to enhance the bioavailability of various (chemo)therapeutic drugs.
Curcumin in itself has limited bio-availibility. The dual drug-loaded nanoparticulate combination with piperine is expected to reverse the multidrug resistance, prevent the rapid systemic clearance, prevent the intestinal and the hepatic metabolism, increase the aqueous solubility, enhance the bioavailability, target the cancer cells, produce a synergistic anti-cancer effect and enhance the efficacy of curcumin in the treatment of multidrug-resistant cancers.
Piperine displays numerous pharmacological effects such as anti-proliferative, anti-tumor, anti-angiogenesis, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, anti-microbial, anti-aging, and immunomodulatory effects in various in vitro and in vivo experimental trials. Furthermore, piperine has also been documented for its hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. It has shown its effectiveness as gastric stimulant, lipid metabolism accelerator and enzymatic activity enhancer.
Piperine displays numerous pharmacological effects such as anti-proliferative, anti-tumor, anti-angiogenesis, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, anti-microbial, anti-aging, and immunomodulatory effects in various in vitro and in vivo experimental trials. Furthermore, piperine has also been documented for its hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. It has shown its effectiveness as gastric stimulant, lipid metabolism accelerator and enzymatic activity enhancer.
Piperine present in Cancer care kit not only increases absorption of curcumin, enhances its efficacy, but also acts as appetite and gastric stimulant improving digestion problems that cancer patients are usually facing. Other than this, it is helpful in management of other co-morbidities that cancer patients usually have such as diabetes, cardiac disorders, hypertension and dyslipidemia.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that it dissolves in water and is delivered to the body’s tissues but is not well stored, so it must be taken daily through food or supplements. Even before its discovery in 1932, nutrition experts recognized that something in citrus fruits could prevent scurvy, a disease that killed as many as two million sailors between 1500 and 1800. Considerable understanding has been acquired of both the physiological role of vitamin C and of the impact of vitamin C supplementation on the health. Vitamin C plays a role in controlling infections and healing wounds, and is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize harmful free radicals. It is needed to make collagen, a fibrous protein in connective tissue that is weaved throughout various systems in the body: nervous, immune, bone, cartilage, blood, and others. The vitamin helps make several hormones and chemical messengers used in the brain and nerves.
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and a cofactor for a family of biosynthetic and gene regulatory enzymes. Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Vitamin C supports epithelial barrier function against pathogens and promotes the oxidant scavenging activity of the skin, thereby potentially protecting against environmental oxidative stress. Vitamin C accumulates in phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils, and can enhance chemotaxis, phagocytosis, generation of reactive oxygen species, and ultimately microbial killing. It is also needed for apoptosis and clearance of the spent neutrophils from sites of infection by macrophages, thereby decreasing necrosis and potential tissue damage.
A meta-analysis of 3,562 articles found that Vitamin C consumption was associated with lower incidence of bladder cancer, breast cancer, cervical tumors, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, glioma, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell cancer, and total cancer occurrence. It’s intake was also related to decreased risk of breast cancer prognosis (recurrence, cancer-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality).
Over the past decade, there have been an increased number of phase I/II clinical trials and case reports testing the safety and efficacy of high dose vitamin C as a treatment for various cancer patients as a monotherapy or in combinational therapy. We will not discuss these clinical studies as there are already several reviews on the topic. Virtually all studies show improved quality of life for cancer patients by minimizing pain and protecting normal tissues from toxicity caused by chemotherapy. Additionally, vitamin C showed synergistic effects when combined with radiation and standard chemotherapies. Unfortunately, these studies were not designed as large-scale, randomized controlled trials and thus the efficacy of high dose vitamin C therapy remains to be determined.
Epidemiologic evidence of a protective effect of vitamin C for non-hormone-dependent cancers is strong. Of the 46 such studies in which a dietary vitamin C index was calculated, 33 found statistically significant protection, with high intake conferring approximately a twofold protective effect compared with low intake. Of 29 additional studies that assessed fruit intake, 21 found significant protection. For cancers of the esophagus, larynx, oral cavity, and pancreas, evidence for a protective effect of vitamin C or some component in fruit is strong and consistent. For cancers of the stomach, rectum, breast, and cervix there is also strong evidence. Several recent lung cancer studies found significant protective effects of vitamin C or of foods that are better sources of vitamin C than of beta-carotene.
Many reviewed studies show that vitamin C intake from natural sources can prevent the development of pulmonary and breast cancer, and that vitamin C synergizes with gemcitabine and erlotinib in pancreatic cancer. In vitro assays reveal that vitamin C synergizes with DNA-methyl transferase inhibitors.
Scientific studies have shown that Vitamin C from natural sources is preventive against various types of cancer. Thus, after long discussions, it was decided that Cancer care kit should contain Vitamin C rich Amla extracts, which are known to be richest source of natural Vitamin C.
Most cancer patients are in immune compromised state during cancer treatment and prone to a number of infections. Vitamin C acts as immune- modulator and immunity booster to prevent from various infections.
Zinc is a trace mineral, meaning that the body only needs small amounts, and yet it is necessary for almost 100 enzymes to carry out vital chemical reactions. It is a major player in the creation of DNA, growth of cells, building proteins, healing damaged tissue, and supporting a healthy immune system. Zinc is an essential micronutrient for basic cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation, and survival. It’s deficiency depresses both innate and adaptive immune responses.
Symptoms arising from zinc-deficiency in animal studies were reported to be growth failure, loss of hair, testicular atrophy, as well as thickening and hyper-keratinization of the epidermis. Despite these observations, it took a century until zinc was accepted to be essential for human beings.
There’s a long history linking zinc with optimal immune function. For example, it’s known that people whose zinc levels are too low have little to no infection-fighting T cells and the thymus, the organ in which T cells develop, is nearly non-existent. When zinc-deficient people are given extra zinc, their thymuses grow and start pumping out these immune cells. Scientific research in patients undergoing autologous stem-cell transplants (in which they receive their own blood stem cells) for the blood cancer multiple myeloma suggested that zinc could boost immune recovery.
During chemotherapy and radiation therapy, these treatments and cancer itself can lead to side effects that raise the risk of low zinc levels. We absorb less zinc as we age, and many cancer patients are over 60. Many studies confirm a decline of zinc levels with age. Most of these studies do not classify the majority of elderly as zinc deficient, but even marginal zinc deprivation can affect immune function. Consequently, oral zinc supplementation demonstrates the potential to improve immunity and efficiently downregulates chronic inflammatory responses in the elderly. These data indicate that a wide prevalence of marginal zinc deficiency in elderly people may contribute to immunosenescence.
Zinc, which plays a pivotal role in host defense against the initiation and promotion of several malignancies. Zinc is an essential element that is integral to many proteins and transcription factors which regulate key cellular functions such as the response to oxidative stress, DNA replication, DNA damage repair, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. Zinc has been ascribed roles in the metabolism and interaction of malignant cells, particularly in apoptosis. Zinc is involved in structural stabilization and activation of the p53 that appears to be an important component of the apoptotic process and also in activation of certain members of the caspase family of proteases.
The pooled results of a meta-analysis of 32 studies showed sufficient evidence approving the association between serum zinc levels and lung cancer risk. The meta-analysis suggested that serum zinc levels were significantly lower in lung cancer patients than that in controls.
In January 2019, a systematic search was conducted searching five electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychINFO, CINAHL and PubMed) to find studies concerning the use, effectiveness and potential harm of zinc therapy on cancer patients. Out of initial 5244 search results, 19 publications concerning 23 studies with 1230 patients were included in this systematic review. Studies have shown a positive impact on the mucositis after radiotherapy. No protection was seen against mucositis after chemotherapy. There was a trend to reduced loss of taste, less dry mouth and oral pain after zinc substitution. No impact was seen on weight, QoL measurements, fatigue, and survival. The risk of side effects from zinc appears to be relatively small. Zinc could be useful in the prevention of oral toxicities during irradiation. It does not help in chemotherapy-induced side effects.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that zinc supplementation trended toward an improvement in 3-year local-free survival (LFS) compared with placebo, particularly among patients with stage III to IV disease, but there was no effect on 3-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), or metastases-free survival.
A cohort of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma from this study, however, demonstrated significantly prolonged 5-year OS, LFS, and DFS rates with zinc supplementation compared with placebo.
Zinc supplementation can be valuable for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. The results of a pilot study suggested that after 2 weeks of chemotherapy, the intake of Zinc protected the cancer patients against taste disorders. The results of this study suggest the possibility that the administration of zinc during chemotherapy could be a useful supportive therapy for preventing taste disorder and to help maintain a better quality of life.
Cancer Care kit contains zinc supplementation that enhances immunity, strengthens epidermal, gastrointestinal, central nervous, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems. These organs are most affected clinically by zinc deficiency that happens with age and in stressful conditions.
Scientists think that zinc supplementation may help cancer patients by preventing various infections including the common cold virus from attaching to the nasal cavities, windpipe, and lungs.
Zinc may help reduce some adverse effects of cancer therapy or fasten recovery from them. Symptoms like mucositis caused by radiation therapy and loss of taste during chemotherapy can be delayed and recovery from them can be hastened by zinc supplementation.
Glutamine is the most abundant non-essential amino acid found in the body. It’s made in the muscles and transferred by the blood into different organ systems. Glutamine is a building block for making proteins in the body; provides nitrogen for arginine, purine, pyrimidine synthesis; transports amino-nitrogen to intestines, liver and kidney. It’s also needed to make other amino acids and glucose. It is synthesized predominantly in skeletal muscles.
Low glutamine levels are associated with poor outcomes in critical illness. Low glutamine levels do not match increased glutamine requirements of immune cells, enterocytes and hepatocytes. Thus, glutamine is labeled as “conditionally essential” amino acids during critical illness.
Cells of immune system like lymphocytes and macrophages; cells of gastrointestinal tract like enterocytes and colonocytes are particularly reliant on glutamine as fuel. Although glucose is a vital metabolite, and the main fuel for a large number of cells in the body, cells of the immune system, such as lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages, utilize glutamine at high rates similar to or greater than glucose under catabolic conditions, such as sepsis, recovery from burns or surgery, and malnutrition, as well as high intensity/volume physical exercise. Glutamine reduces oxidative stress and prevents subsequent tissue damage. Glutamine is a valuable nutrient for the proliferation of the lymphocytes. It also plays a crucial role in the production of cytokines, macrophages, phagocytic, and neutrophil to kill the bacteria. For this reason, glutamine is considered as a “fuel for the immune system”, where a low blood concentration may impair immune cell function, resulting in poor clinical outcomes and increased risk of mortality.
Glutamine may affect stress induced accumulation of extra-cellular fluids by changing the cellular hydration state. An increase in cellular hydration acts as an anabolic signal, whereas call shrinkage is catabolic. Research has shown glutamate ammonia ligase mediated glutamine biosynthesis couples the TCA cycle with nitrogen anabolism and plays a critical role in pancreatic ductal carcinoma.
Oral glutamine supplementation increases immunity, reduces loss of muscle mass, reduces oral pain, mucosal inflammation and stomatitis in chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation patients. It helps prevent infections by preventing intestinal hyper-permeability and bacterial translocation. Glutamine is a major dietary amino acid that is both a fuel and nitrogen donor for healing tissues damaged by chemotherapy and radiation.
It increases intestinal villous height, maintains mucosal integrity, maximizes absorption in shortened intestine and thus enhances sodium and glucose absorption. Glutamine also prevents intestinal atrophy in patients who receive parentral nutrition therapy. It improves skeletal muscle glutamine stores and markers of immune functions.
In critical ill ICU patients suffering of cancer, severe burns, multiple trauma, post-operative conditions, critical illness during immunotherapy, gastro-intestinal complications, glutamine improves protein synthesis, nitrogen balance, immune functions in patients on total parentral nutrition, provides better glycemic control by reversing the insulin resistance associated with critical illness. It reduces mortality and ICU stay in patients of peritonitis, liver transplant with diabetes or new onset diabetes history. However, caution is recommended when considering provision of intravenous injections of Glutamine to oncology patients who have hepatic or renal insufficiency or failure. Monitoring of hepatic and renal function is recommended. Glutathione also acts by restoring intracellular levels of glutathione and by modifying the heat shock proteins.
Supplementation with Glutamine during Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy had no detectable negative impact on tumor control and survival outcomes in patients with Stage IIIB Non-small cell lung cancer. Furthermore, Glutamine appeared to have a beneficial effect with respect to prevention of weight loss and unplanned treatment delays, and reduced the severity and incidence of acute- and late-Radiation induced esophagitis.
A double blind study revealed that glutamine provided slight clinical effects compared with placebo in terms of reducing oral mucositis induced by Radiation therapy or Chemo-radiotherapy in patients with Head and neck cancer at the 6th week; however, the results were not statistically significant. Although the findings suggested a significant benefit in reducing the incidence and severity of dermatitis, further confirmatory studies are required.
Cancer Care kit contains oral Glutamine supplementation in a very palatable powder form that enhances immunity, strengthens epidermal, gastrointestinal, central nervous, immune, skeletal cells. These organs are most affected clinically by glutamine deficiency in stressful conditions associated with critical and chronic illnesses.
Scientists observed that glutamine supplementation may help cancer patients by strengthening immunity, better absorption of nutrition, reduced muscle loss and cachexia and preventing various infections.
Glutamine may help reduce some adverse effects of cancer therapy or fasten recovery from them. Symptoms like mucositis, pain caused by radiation therapy and fatigue, weakness, asthenia by chemotherapy can be delayed and recovery from them can be hastened by glutamine supplementation.
Ubiquinol, a highly potent antioxidant, is the active form of CoQ10 and plays a key role in producing the cellular energy your organs need to keep functioning – for example, cellular energy is what makes your cells function. It is present in all cells with higher concentrations found in the liver, kidney, heart, and pancreas; and is needed for energy production of cells. Just like a lamp is powered by electricity, a car is powered by petrol, diesel or CNG gas, our heart and other vital organs are powered by cellular energy.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a common antioxidant supplement with known cardioprotective effects and potential anticancer benefits. Ubiquinol is a reduced form of an active antioxidant coenzyme Q10 that also acts as that prevents the initiation and propagation of lipid peroxidation in biological membranes and human low-density lipoprotein and thus improves health of our heart.
Ubiquinol is approximately 8 times more potent than coenzyme Q10 in anti-oxidant properties. When comparing Ubiquinol to conventional CoQ10, the published studies to date indicate that Ubiquinol is twice better absorbed by the body, which makes significant difference in effects and response in elderly patients, patients of chronic illness and cancer patients. The amount our body absorbs will vary based on age and overall health, but studies have consistently shown Ubiquinol to be the easiest form of CoQ10 for your body to use. Turning conventional CoQ10 into Ubiquinol becomes harder and less efficient as we age, which is why “older” adults who take a CoQ10 supplement would be wise to choose Ubiquinol.
It plays an essential role in maintaining cellular defense against oxidative damage and also sustains the effects of vitamin E by regenerating the vitamin from the tocopheroxyl radical.
CoQ10 has been shown to improve symptoms of congestive heart failure. Although findings are mixed, CoQ10 might help reduce blood pressure. Some research also suggests that when combined with other nutrients, CoQ10 might aid recovery in people who’ve had bypass and heart valve surgeries.
Diabetes: Although more studies are needed, some research suggests that CoQ10 may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in people with diabetes, lowering their risk of heart disease.
Parkinson’s disease: Recent research suggests that even high doses of CoQ10 don’t seem to improve symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Statin-induced myopathy: Some research suggests that CoQ10 might help ease the muscle weakness and pain sometimes associated with taking statins.
Migraines: Some research suggests that CoQ10 might decrease the frequency of these headaches.
Fertility: Some data suggest CoQ10 supplementation may increase sperm motility in men, modulate expression of insulin, lipid, and inflammatory markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Chronic and critical illness: It may also help reduce reduce some measures of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients with chronic diseases. In patients with sepsis, supplementation in the early phase improved clinical parameters and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Cancer: CoQ10 has also been investigated in cancer patients. Preliminary studies on whether it can help control cancer-related fatigue are mixed.
In patients on tamoxifen therapy, CoQ10 appeared to lower inflammatory cytokine levels . CoQ10 levels have been positively associated with antioxidant capacity and negatively correlated with inflammation markers post-surgery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma .
However, antioxidant supplementation including CoQ10 before and during treatment was associated with an increased hazard of recurrence in breast cancer patients. More research is needed.
The first study to demonstrate the effectiveness of oxidized ubidecarenone in targeting mitochondrial function resulting in an anti-cancer effect is as following. The study demonstrates that delivery of oxidized Coenzyme Q10 (ubidecarenone) to increase mitochondrial Q-pool is associated with an increase in ROS generation, effectuating anti-cancer effects in a pancreatic cancer model.
The University of Texas Center for alternative medicine (UTCAM) conducted an extensive human studies literature review of Co Q10. After review of the available studies, UTCAM reports that Co Q10 may provide good results as an extra cancer therapy through anti-oxidant and immune system enhancing properties. Be cautious, Co Q10 is not a cure for cancer when taken alone. The use of Co Q10 as a treatment for cancer in humans has been investigated in only a limited manner.
https://www.dana-farber.org/health-library/articles/co-enzyme-(q10-coq10,-ubiquinone-or-ubiquinol)/
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common symptoms reported by cancer patients. A randomized trial in Japan investigated the efficacy of orally administrable dietary supplement containing coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine, and found that it may control moderate-severe CRF in controlling CRF in breast cancer patients.
To evaluate the efficacy of CoQ10 on the inflammatory markers in breast cancer patients, a clinical study of patients with breast cancer undergoing tamoxifen therapy was conducted. It was concluded that CoQ10 supplementation could be effective in ameliorating inflammatory cytokine levels, thereby reducing the consequences of inflammation caused by breast cancer. A need for more such studies was mentioned.
A study to investigate the correlations between the level of coenzyme Q10, oxidative stress, and inflammation in patients with HCC after surgery found that the level of coenzyme Q10 was significantly positively correlated with antioxidant capacity (vitamin E and glutathione peroxidase activity) and negatively correlated with inflammation markers after surgery. Thus, it was concluded that coenzyme Q10 may be considered an antioxidant therapy for patients with HCC, particularly those with higher inflammation after surgery.
Wheat germ oil is extracted from the germ of the wheat kernel, which makes up only 2.5% by weight of the kernel. wheat germ oil is as valuable as gold.
The oil gets extracted through the cold-pressing method without exposure to oxygen and light to prevent the loss of essential nutrients. Wheat germ oil is particularly high in octacosanol – a 28-carbon long-chain saturated primary alcohol found in a number of different vegetable waxes. Octacosanol has been studied as an exercise- and physical performance-enhancing agent. Very long chain fatty alcohols obtained from plant waxes and beeswax have been reported to lower plasma cholesterol in humans. Wheat germ oil is also very high in vitamin E (255 mg/100g), and has the highest content of vitamin E of any food that has not undergone prior preparation or vitamin fortification. Wheat germ oil contains Linoleic acid (Omega 6), Linolenic acid (Omega 3), Palmitic acid and Oleic acid.
Wheat germ oil is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, also regarded as good fat. It contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Wheat germ oil provides an alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E. A single serving of wheat germ oil can provide 135% of recommended daily vitamin E intake. It also contains a small amount of vitamin K used for blood clotting. It reduces the risks associated with CHD like LDL cholesterol levels and high blood pressure and improves blood circulation. DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty are excellent cardioprotective agents.
Studies suggest that increased levels of tocopherols in the body show scavenging effects against oxidation damage. As a result, it reduces the progression of atherosclerosis, fatty liver diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A study demonstrates that tocopherols inhibit the formation and growth of cancer in the lungs and colon. In addition, it shows the anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities of tocopherols in the lungs and colon.
Studies suggest wheat germ oil contains vitamin E, B-complex, unsaturated fatty acids, and other phytochemicals. It further shows that the dose-dependent formulation of wheat germ oil significantly increased the wound healing activity. For example, wheat germ ointment reduced the wound size by 90% within three weeks.
A study assesses the effects of wheat germ oil on diabetes. It demonstrated that wheat germ oil significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, serum lipid profile, serum insulin, and HDL cholesterol levels. Persistent hyperglycemia increased the production of free radicals in diabetic patients. Wheat germ oil possesses potent antioxidant activity that scavenges the free radicals and reduces oxidative damage. The study proved that high doses of wheat germ oil exhibit anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and antioxidant properties. In addition, it possesses protective effects against diabetic complications.
Cancer: Limited data suggest WGE may improve quality of life in cancer patients, but larger well-designed studies are needed to establish its use.
Autoimmune disorders: Animal studies suggest WGE is beneficial, but human data are lacking.
Immunostimulation: Lab and observational studies suggest WGE can regulate the immune system.
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/wheat-germ-extract
A study on induced breast cancer in rat showed that all cancer protective agents significantly improved CBC parameters, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the histopathology picture, with the best improvement in the WGO group.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.2c00434
Cancer Care kit contains Wheat germ oil supplementation that has cancer protective properties. It reduces cancer induced inflammation in body and helps in healing of wounds and regrowth of hair after chemotherapy. It has beneficial effect in skin and nail changes commonly present after chemotherapy.
Studies have shown that it helps in improving co-morbidities like hyper-lipidemia and hyper-glycemia co-existing with cardiac diseases and diabetes. Wheat germ oil has beneficial effects in fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis and neuro-degenerative disorders.