Amino acids found in everyday foods such as meat, cheese, nuts, and beans may help your gut heal. cancer treatment, According to a new study.
In a study in mice, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine has the most powerful rejuvenating effect on stem cells and early-stage intestinal cells that are often damaged during radiation treatment for cancer.
If future human studies show similar results, food or supplements Researchers say it could help cancer patients recover from treatment.
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“This study suggests that giving these patients a cysteine-rich diet or cysteine supplementation could possibly alleviate some of the chemotherapy- and radiation-induced damage,” Omar Yilmaz, the study’s senior author and director of the MIT Stem Cell Initiative, said in a statement.
“The advantage here is that we’re not using synthetic molecules. We’re using natural food compounds,” he added.
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are known to damage the intestinal lining, damaging the intestinal lining and destroying healthy cells that help it. digestion and repair, According to researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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The study, led by postdoctoral researcher Fangtao Qi, divided mice into groups and fed each group a diet rich in one of 20 amino acids. The team then tracked how each amino acid affected intestinal stem cell regeneration.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, amino acids are the building blocks of proteins that help the body make muscle, hormones, and other important molecules, while also supporting tissue repair, growth, and vital functions.
The effects of cysteine were more pronounced in the small intestine than in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, likely because this is where most protein is absorbed, the researchers noted.
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They also found that cysteine helps activate repair responses in the gut. immune cells It releases signals that regenerate intestinal tissue.
The findings were published in the journal Nature earlier this month.
Further studies conducted by the researchers (not yet published) found that a high cysteine diet specifically helps the intestines recover from treatment with 5-fluorouracil, a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment. colon cancer and pancreatic cancer; According to MIT.
Yilmaz’s lab previously investigated how different diets affect stem cell regeneration and found that: high fat foods Short-term fasting may also increase stem cell activity. However, this new study is the first to identify a single nutrient that can regenerate intestinal cells.
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The research team is also investigating whether cysteine may be stimulatory. hair follicle regenerationthere are plans to further investigate other amino acids that may impact stem cell regeneration.
“We expect to uncover multiple new mechanisms for how these amino acids regulate cell fate decisions and intestinal health in the small intestine and colon,” Professor Yilmaz predicted.
Fox News Digital has reached out to researchers for comment.
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Dr. Amy Hornaman, a certified functional medicine practitioner based in Erie, Pennsylvania, said that while recent research results are promising, there are some caveats. human experiment is required.
“Cysteine is not a silver bullet, but it can be a useful tool,” Hornaman told Fox News Digital. “First of all, I recommend food first cysteine Featuring oncology-based supplements and a strong support base of protein, fiber, and microbiome. ”
The general requirement for sulfur amino acids is approximately 13 to 19 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, which can usually be obtained through a balanced whole foods diet, he noted.
Overall, Hornaman recommends that cancer patients and survivors stay hydrated, prioritize protein and gentle fiber, and avoid consuming high doses of antioxidants during treatment. oncology team.
