Micronutrient deficiencies in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: To treat or not to treat.

Nutrition supplements are widely used among patients with cancer. The general public perceives supplements as more natural anticancer and antitoxicity agents, and often supplements are used without the knowledge of the treating physician. In the clinical setting, there are concerns that supplements may decrease effectiveness of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and, as a result, supplementation is avoided. There is a body of literature evaluating micronutrient deficiencies, supplementation, and cancer risk; however, little is known about the risks of treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in specific cancers. Of the types of cancers, patients with gastrointestinal cancers are at high risk of developing malnutrition and, subsequently, possible micronutrient deficiencies. This review aims to evaluate the effects of supplementation of specific micronutrients in patients with cancer of the digestive tract.

Effect of Standardized Grape Powder Consumption on the Gut Microbiome of Healthy Subjects: A Pilot Study.

Grapes provide a rich source of polyphenols and fibers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the daily consumption of 46 g of whole grape powder, providing the equivalent of two servings of California table grapes, on the gut microbiome and cholesterol/bile acid metabolism in healthy adults. This study included a 4-week standardization to a low-polyphenol diet, followed by 4 weeks of 46 g of grape powder consumption while continuing the low-polyphenol diet. Compared to the baseline, 4 weeks of grape powder consumption significantly increased the alpha diversity index of the gut microbiome. There was a trend of increasing Verrucomicrobia (p = 0.052) at the phylum level, and a significant increase in Akkermansia was noted. In addition, there was an increase in Flavonifractor and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010, but a decrease in Bifidobacterium and Dialister at the genus level. Grape powder consumption significantly decreased the total cholesterol by 6.1% and HDL cholesterol by 7.6%. There was also a trend of decreasing LDL cholesterol by 5.9%, and decreasing total bile acid by 40.9%. Blood triglyceride levels and body composition were not changed by grape powder consumption. In conclusion, grape powder consumption significantly modified the gut microbiome and cholesterol/bile acid metabolism.