An unhealthy intestinal microbiome could increase the spread of breast cancer

We can not say enough about the importance of intestinal health, because poor intestinal health is associated with health problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune diseases, thyroid disorders and anxiety. (to name a few)

According to a new study, in addition to contributing to various conditions, an unhealthy intestinal microbiome could increase the spread of breast cancer.

Researchers at the University of Virginia Cancer Center found that, when they altered the balance of the gut microbiome by administering antibiotics to mice, hormone-receptor positive breast cancer cells (About 70% of breast cancers are powered by hormones) have been invited to spread to other regions. from the body.

On closer inspection, they found that the antibiotic treatment triggered an inflammatory reaction that caused the cells to spread to the blood and lungs. The spread of cancer to other parts of the body (called metastasis) is a central part of cancer treatment. It is therefore essential to understand the factors that can contribute to this process.

"These findings suggest that having an unhealthy microbiome and the changes that occur in the tissues and that are linked to an unhealthy microbiome may be an early predictor of invasive or metastatic breast cancer," said Melanie Rutkowski, Ph. D., UVA Department, Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology in a statement.

The researchers point out that intensive antibiotic treatment performed on mice has been used to mimic the effect of an unhealthy microbiome in humans over time, but should not inform how humans use the antibiotics. Instead, the study emphasizes the importance of supporting a healthy microbiome, whether you are fighting cancer or not.

There are many ways to heal our intestines, and one of the simplest ways to do this is to change our diet. Amy Shah, MD, a collective member, recommends including more high-fiber vegetables in our diet, such as broccoli and artichokes, that can help populate the gut with good bacteria.

You'll also want to add more healthy fats, fermented foods, green vegetables and spices to get your gut back on track. When working to stimulate good bacteria, stay away from sugar, which only feeds the harmful bacteria.

So we talked about changes in the diet, but other changes could make all the difference. Reducing stress can be helpful because staying too long in response to theft or combat means an excess of cortisol and less time for your body to digest and heal properly. Staying active is also known to contribute to better intestinal health by increasing the good bacteria in the intestine.

Although this study suggests the benefits of better intestinal health for cancer outcomes, it's never a bad time to think about improving your gut health as it is associated with d & # 39; 39 Other positive health outcomes, such as a stronger immune system, more energy and less brain fog. For us, it's really a no-brainer.