Nutraceuticals and Oral Supplements in Cancer Prevention: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have shown that food is a compelling means of maintaining a state of well-being and preventing diseases. Many malignant diseases are related to nutrition, and the nutrient-organism interaction could define the balance between health and disease. Nutrients and dietary components influence epigenetic phenomena and modify drug response so that food-organism interactions may influence individual predisposition to disease and its potential therapeutic response. AIMS: In this review, we highlighted emerging opinions and data on a large cluster of nutraceuticals, as well as functional foods and specific dietary patterns, with respect to cancer, including breast, pancreas, prostate, and colorectal. Only those nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements yielding sufficient and convincing data have been reported in this review; molecules with inconclusive clinical evidence will not be discussed. CONCLUSION: Growing and accumulating evidence is validating the use of nutraceuticals in cancer settings. However, a knowledge gap remains in terms of causal evidence for several compounds where a window for further clinical studies is left.

Evaluation of a Nutraceutical Product with Probiotics, Vitamin D, Plus Banaba Leaf Extracts (Lagerstroemia speciosa) in Glycemic Control.

BACKGROUND: Dysbiosis is related to changes in the composition and behaviour of intestinal microbiota, which may contribute to an age-related decline in metabolic and immune system functioning (immune-senescence). OBJECTIVE: The microbiota-targeted dietary and probiotic interventions have been shown to favorably affect the host health by an enhancement of antioxidant activity, improving immune homeostasis, suppression of chronic inflammation, regulation of metabolism and prevention of insulin resistance. RESULTS: In our study, the use of specific probiotics strains improved the serum concentration of glycemic markers, thereby promoting better overall health. CONCLUSION: Probiotics may help correct defects in the gut microbial environment improving metabolic parameters, such as blood sugar levels, glycosylated hemoglobin and a decrease in body weight.