GENERAL RESEARCH

ASPARTAME AS A CARCINOGEN (What You Need to Know)

on December 3, 2025 by PRINCE add comment

Back in July of 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) (classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The IARC classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) on the basis of limited evidence for cancer in humans (specifically, for hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a type of liver cancer).

Aspartame is an artificial (chemical) sweetener, about 200X sweeter than sugar. It is widely used in various food and beverage products since the 1980s. Food products containing aspartame include diet drinks, chewing gum, gelatin, ice cream, dairy products such as yogurt, breakfast cereal, toothpaste, tabletop sweeteners sold under brand names including Equal and Nutrasweet and medications such as cough drops and chewable vitamins.

Regardless of the suspicion that it may cause cancer, previous research indicates that it may also increase cortisol levels and alter the activity of the microbes responsible for the breakdown of food in the digestive tract

However, the JECFA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight, meaning that although this is concerning, if you’re only consuming aspartame containing foods in moderation there is nothing to worry about.

https://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2023-aspartame-hazard-and-risk-assessment-results-released

GENERAL RESEARCH

NON-STICK PANS AND FALL PRODUCE

on December 3, 2025 by PRINCE add comment

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) such as Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)are a class of chemicals used to make things non-stick, stain-resistant, and waterproof. Some microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers, rain jackets and other consumer products use these chemicals’ slippery properties. Unfortunately, PFAS and their bi-products accumulate in the environment and may harm human health, potentially causing abnormal thyroid hormone levels, reduced immune system response, act as endocrine disruptors in males and females, and cancer.
Fall produce, including apples, winter varieties of squash, kale and Brussels sprouts, whether eaten fresh, frozen or canned, provide healthful benefits, say registered dietitians, who offer tips to get the maximum nutrition from this season’s bounty. Leave the skin on fruits and vegetables. This is because plenty of the food’s nutrients are housed in the skins, which are edible and delicious. Cooking produce with fat makes certain nutrients more bioavailable, and adding spices like cinnamon and cardamom can boost antioxidants.

When recipes call for a non-stick pan or other non-stick cookware, try substituting it with cast iron or stainless steel. These durable alternatives serve the same purpose when used properly. There are many coatings and materials marketed as healthy alternatives to non-stick, but ceramic coated pans, cast iron and stainless steel are time-tested and proven to be safe. For cooking in the oven, ceramic or glass are good options.

These durable alternatives serve the same purpose when used properly. There are many coatings and materials marketed as healthy alternatives to non-stick, but cast iron and stainless steel are time-tested and proven to be safe. If you already own non-stick cookware, consider the following while using to prevent the release of PFAS:

• Cook at medium and low temperatures and use ventilation.

• Never cook on high heat, as this may release PFAS into food or the air.

• Use wooden cooking utensils to prevent scratching the coating of the cookware, as scratches can promote the release of PFAS.

ULTRAPROCESSED FOODS AND GLAUCOMA RISK

on December 3, 2025 by PRINCE add comment

Hi again, people!

A study published in Nutrients found an association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and glaucoma, particularly in men and older adults, with researchers saying higher blood glucose levels may be the reason. The research involved 19,225 adults followed for nearly 13 years and showed the most significant increased risk of glaucoma in men over age 55 who consumed sweet ultra-processed foods.

Another recent study published in the journal Cell Metabolism compared the effects of an ultra-processed diet to the effects of an unprocessed diet on calorie intake and weight gain. The researchers found that study subjects consumed about 500 more calories per day on the ultra-processed diet versus the unprocessed diet. The ultra-processed diet period was marked by an increased intake of carbohydrate and fat, but not protein. Participants gained on average two pounds during the ultra-processed diet phase, and lost two pounds during the unprocessed diet phase. The authors concluded that limiting ultra-processed foods may be an effective strategy for preventing and treating obesity.

WHAT ARE ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS?

UPFs are foods that go through multiple processes (extrusion, molding, milling, etc.), contain many added ingredients and are highly manipulated. Ultra-processed foods are made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars, and hydrogenated fats. They may also contain additives like artificial colors and flavors or stabilizers. Examples of these foods are frozen meals, ice cream, packaged soups, patties and chicken nuggets, hotdogs, soft drinks, hot dogs and cold cuts, fast food, packaged cookies, cakes, and salty snacks.

What is the alternative Good old natural, minimally processed foods that are high in protein, micronutrients, phytochemicals and anti-oxidants.

ENJOY IN MODERATION!

TUMERIC AND LEAD POISONING

on December 3, 2025 by PRINCE add comment

Good day y’all

The year is in full gear, and as you know the world of science never sleeps.

Recently, some news rocked the nutrition world. It was found that some populations with high intake of lead were turning up with lead poisoning. This is contrary to our general association of turmeric with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so I did some digging and came up with some findings on the subject.

Turns out that to heighten their color, the rhizomes from which turmeric is extracted are routinely dusted with lead chromate, a neurotoxin. The practice helps explain why South Asia has the highest rates of lead poisoning in the world. At high levels of exposure to lead the brain and central nervous system can be severely damaged causing coma, convulsions and even death.

Note: Lead poisoning, is also known as plumbism and saturnism.

So, if you take turmeric powder with your teas like I do, or use it in seasoning, ensure you are getting organic product . Or better still, buy the roots and process by yourself at home.

Better safe than sorry!

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PCOS

on November 30, 2025 by PRINCE add comment

PCOS is quite common nowadays in youngsters as girls of adolescent age already see their periods very early. With this development, it is important have a good knowledge about PCOS than blindly believing in misconceptions.

We carefully picked some common myths to burst about PCOS in this write up. I hope you find them useful:

1. MYTH: diabetes causes PCOS

FACT: PCOS leads to hormonal imbalance and also insulin resistance which could make you vulnerable to diabetes. If you’re obese and have PCOS, you’re prone to having diabetes. So, PCOS could possibly lead to diabetes and not the other way around as the myth suggests.

2. MYTH: Thin women do not get PCOS

FACT: It’s true that majority of women with PCOS are overweight, but thin women could also get PCOS (comparatively rare though). Hormonal assessment and abdominal scan are used to ascertain in such rare cases.

3. MYTH: the symptoms are same with all women

FACT: This is totally not correct as symptoms vary in PCOS. The common symptoms are menstrual problems (irregular periods or delayed periods), and obesity. Other hormonal problems occur in some women with PCOS like abnormal hair growth especially in unusual places. As hormone changes occurs, it causes a dominance of male hormones (androgenic hormones). Some girls start having moustache from young ages.

4. MYTH: NO OVARIAN CYST, NO PCOS

FACT: Most times, cysts fail to show during a scan and this makes most women feel they don’t have PCOS. If you ever notice irregular periods, your best bet is a transvaginal scan which is 100% effective.

5. MYTH: Women with PCOS cannot have babies

FACT: As PCOS affects the ovulation, the process of egg formation, it can lead to infertility. However, some patients have conceived without any treatment or IVF (invitro fertilisation). Infertility is a cause of concern for a woman with a large ovary, no periods, multiple cystic areas and already have hirsutism at the age of 20-23 years. In such a case, you might need diet modification, proper medication and assessment of ovarian function (follicle scan).

6. MYTH: PCOS can be cured.

FACT: PCOS can’t be cured but adequately managed. The treatment options depend on severity and other underlying health problems seen in patient. Diet modification is usually first line in young girls and medication as the case might be.

Treatment options are available in PCOS ranging from dietary modification to oral medications. If you are not trying to get pregnant, taking an oral birth control pill that includes a combination of low-dose estrogen and progestin can help regulate the menstrual cycle and alleviate unwanted hair and acne.

If you’re trying to become pregnant, medication to induce ovulation, such as Clomid, can help you conceive.

References

1. https://www.centrastateobgyn.com/blog/6-common-misconceptions-about-polycystic-ovary-syndrome/#:~:text=Here%20are%20some%20common%20misconceptions,get%20pregnant%20without%20any%20intervention.

2.https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/common-myths-about-pcos-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-busted-b0217-473428/amp/

GENERAL RESEARCH LIFESTYLE

HOW TO NAVIGATE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE INTERMITTENT FASTING

on September 20, 2022 by PRINCE add comment

IF simply involves switching between fasting and eating on your normal schedule.
This method could help you manage your weight and ward off chronic diseases if monitored and done effectively.

BASIC CONCEPTS
Before going into this practice, it is important to know what it entails.
Some basics to know:
– you have to skip one meal
– you can still have your favourite healthy meal while fasting
– you can drink water while fasting
– you can have no-calorie beverages while fasting. Examples include coffee, green or black tea.

So for everyone that has heard about IF or has practised it before, normally, you would skip breakfast while fasting, because it feels easier.
-But, according to a research carried out by USDA economic research service, it was noticed that skipping dinner, reduced more daily calories and lowered diet quality the least when compared to skipping breakfast or lunch.
-Also note that your night fast should be longer than 2 hours and shorter than 24 hours

TYPES OF IF
There are basically 3 popular types of IF:
– 16:8 method
– 5:2 method
– eat-stop eat method.
Others include OMAD, and warrior diet.

16: 8 METHOD

5:2 METHOD

EAT-STOP-EAT METHOD
This method involves fasting for 24 hours twice or thrice a week.
– Fasting for 24 hours would lead to a metabolic shift and ause your body to use up fat
– But staying off food for 24 hours might lead to binging and overconsumption.

IF AND YOUR HORMONES
– IF positively affects the human growth hormone (HGH), especially when done adequately. These hormone levels increase when you do IF, and higher levels of this hormone facilitate fat burning and muscle gain.
– IF also increases the amount of norepinephrine in our bodies which help to breakdown body fat and facilitate it use for energy
– intermittent fasting decreases androgen markers (i.e., testosterone and the free androgen index (FAI)) while increasing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in premenopausal females with obesity.
– fasting may prove to be a valuable tool for treating hyperandrogenism in females with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) by improving menstruation and fertility.

BENEFITS
– WEIGHTLOSS: A 2014 review of scientific literature found that IF can cause 3–8% weight loss over 3–24 weeks, which is a significant amount. Also, participants lost 4-7% of their waist circumference.
– CAN REDUCE INSULIN RESISTANCE: IF can help reduce insulin resistance. According to research, it can help reduce blood sugar by 3–6% and fasting insulin levels by 20–31%.
– HEART-HEALTH: IF may help to reduce bad cholesterol, and blood triglycerides.
– OXIDATIVE STRESS: IF may help reduce inflammation (a key factor in disease processes) and oxidative stress.
– BRAIN HEALTH: may increase the brain hormone brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and may help in the growth of new nerves. it also may help prevent alzemheirs
– DECREASE IN APPETITE: according to research, time-restricted fasting (16 8), decreased mean ghrelin levels, increased fullness in participants, and decrease the desire to eat.
Also, in the first 12 hours of fasting, there is a slight increase in ketone bodies, this helps in appetite suppression.

POSSIBLE DOWNSIDES
– Malnutrition: if not done properly, intermittent fasting could lead to serious malnutrition. some very vital micronutrients and electrolytes might be lacking in your diet if not monitored.
– Dehydration: during a fast, your body tends to release water and salt via the urine. if this water isn’t replenished, you get dehydrated.
– Bad breath: during fasting, fat is used up majorly as fuel. fat metabolism leads to acetone formation which can affect your breath
-fatigue and low energy: when fasting, especially if you are not adequately monitored, with an inadequate intake of calories, you tend to be fatigued due to a low intake of calories
5. Headaches and lightheadedness: this is most common in intermittent fasting and occurs within the first few days especially if you’re a newbie.
6. Hunger and cravings: normally you’d feel hunger cues during your fasting. they tend to be heavier if you don’t do it well.
Most of these side effects should disappear in 2 weeks,

TIPS TO NAVIGATE EFFECTIVELY
• Know your nutrient needs
• Always incorporate proteins into your eating window
• Know your energy requirements
• Always stay hydrated
• Avoid overeating/undereating
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Try out the different types of IF
• Keep track of your journey
• Adapt a suitable workout routine
• Plan meals
• Speak to a registered dietitian

WHO SHOULD NOT BE ON IF?
• If you are underweight
• If you have a history of an eating disorder
• If you are pregnant
• If you are breastfeeding
• If you are on insulin (type 1)
• Anyone with immunosuppression
• Transplant patients
• Chronic kidney diseases
• Poorly controlled diabetes (unless an endocrinologist is involved).
• Adolescents and kids
• Elderly (muscle mass)

SUMMARY
The intermittent fasting pattern of eating is quite a beneficial one with side effects that can easily be managed. But, it is important that you are monitored by health practitioners before delving into this type of diet.
Also, before starting, be sure of the type of fast that would suit your lifetyle and schedule.

SOURCES:
-https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/intermittent-fasting-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work
– https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-ways-to-do-intermittent-fasting
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3680567/
– https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31525701/

GENERAL RESEARCH

5 FOODS THAT CAN HELP WITH ANXIETY

on August 15, 2022 by PRINCE add comment

Anxiety can be normal when you’re worried about the outcome of an event, when you’re scared about the future, or when you are expectant. But, recently, anxiety can be an indicator of an underlying underlying disease when feelings become excessive, all-consuming and interfere with daily living.

How you deal with anxiety matters a lot, so it doesn’t escalate and become a disorder.

Sometimes, anxiety could be as a result of:

Battling with a mental health issue such as depression can raise the chances of having anxiety.
Going through negative life events like, emotional and verbal abuse, sexual assault, losing a loved one, and much more.
The use of certain medication which has an effect of stimulating the nervous system resulting in symptoms of anxiety.
Having certain underlying illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, can make you anxious all the time.

In reality, anxiety does more than just getting you scared, worried, or perhaps disconnected from people. It can raise alarm for certain health concerns such as,

Having psychological issues which include bipolar disorder, mood swings, psychotic disorder, eating disorder, and much more.
You may get tempted to abuse substances like drugs, or alcohol.
The digestive tract gets compromised
Insomnia may become the new norm
Poor quality of life takes the lead

Have you been battling with anxiety for some time now, and have tried quite a lot but still faced with such? Relax, there are dietary means to help curb its effect:

Try bananas- yes! You heard right. Bananas are so helpful when it comes to anxiety management. Findings have shown that consuming bananas can help keep anxiety symptoms far from you. This fruit is a natural beta-blocker that helps block the effect of adrenaline which can trigger anxiety. A research showed that women who ate about 2 fingers of bananas daily were less likely to report symptoms of anxiety. Also, the B vitamin content of banana helps in the production of serotonin (the feel good hormone) which improves mood and anxiety. Findings have also shown that tryptophan (an amino acid) found in banana reduces anxiety and promotes rest and relaxation.
Incoporate fatty fishes- foods such as salmon, mackerel, has been shown to help improve anxiety symptoms effectively. A study reported that individuals who battled anxiety and consumed fatty fishes had their symptoms reduced by 18-34%. Also, another study reported improvements in patients by 20% after consuming fatty fishes for about 3 months.
Incorporate turmeric into your diet- curcumin, an active component found in turmeric has been proven to help perform wonders when it comes to anxiety. It helps to support the gut microbiota, reduces inflammation which alters the feel good hormones (serotonin, dopamine) by increasing the chances of anxiety. A study showed that individuals who consumed turmeric for about 30 days had their anxiety symptoms reduced.
Stock up on yogurt- findings have shown that there is a link between the gut health and the brain. Consuming a food such as the low fat yogurt can help improve the gut health which would positively slow down stress and anxiety. Findings have shown that chronic inflammation may partly influence anxiety and consuming foods such as yogurt would be helpful.
Chamomile : it’s a herb that could be made into tea. It contains some antioxidants that can help lower inflammation associated with anxiety. Also, it may help regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, a central part of the body’s stress response.

Remember, you can keep anxiety at bay by just consuming the right quantity of these foods in your diet. Thinking of how to start? Your dietitian is here for you. We are just a click away!

SOURCES:

1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600408/

2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7728608/

3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3839572/

GENERAL RESEARCH LIFESTYLE

ALCOHOL AND THE RISK FOR HYPERTENSION

on June 22, 2022 by PRINCE add comment

Do you know what is funny? How people think alcoholic beverages can be taken without caution because most of them seem to be bitter.

So, you see people taking bottles/cans of beer, and shots of spirits at a sitting, feeling it won’t be detrimental to their health.

Our work-hard-party hard kind of lifestyle has made it possible for the risk of hypertension to be increased especially among youths. Hypertension is a lifestyle disease, so we must all be able to look at our lifestyle and make a change to it.

Also, the idea that alcohol is a stress reliever, makes it possible for people to consume without caution which in turn hurts the liver and brain, possibly leading to hypertension

WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN ALCOHOL INTAKE AND HYPERTENSION?

Alcohol is one of the modifiable ways to reduce hypertension. The link between alcohol and hypertension is clear as alcohol is a major contributory factor in hypertension

Studies have shown that taking more than three alcoholic drinks a day can increase the chance of developing hypertension in later life by up to 75%.

Alcohol has both direct and indirect links to hypertension: It can cause you to gain weight which is linked to hypertension, and it can also directly affect your blood pressure readings.

Furthermore, alcohol may stimulate adrenals which release adrenaline. When adrenaline is released, it leads to increased cardiac output, increased heart rate, and increased systolic blood pressure.

BUT RED WINE IS GOOD FOR MY HEART?

Well, several past studies have made this popular. The idea behind this is that grapes used in making red wine contain reservatol and can help keep the heart and provide other benefits. But truly, the amount of reservatol in red wine is affected by the processing, fermentation, and even aging of wine and cannot be sufficient to provide any heart health benefits as purported.

It is important to pay attention to your lifestyle: quit binge drinking, reduce or stop consumption of alcohol if you’re on blood pressure medications or have a family history, try abstinence!

SOURCES:

– https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/the-truth-about-alcohol-and-hypertension/#:~:text=Drinking%20too%20much%20alcohol%20can,doubles%20the%20risk%20of%20hypertension.

– https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18259032/

– https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/24301/1/Alcohol-and-Hypertension_Factsheet.pdf

– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4038773/#:~:text=It%20is%20possible%20that%20alcohol,oxidative%20injury%20to%20the%20endothelium.

GENERAL RESEARCH

3 REASONS YOUR BLOOD SUGAR FLUCTUATES

on May 11, 2022 by PRINCE add comment

Blood sugar readings can be fickle; and this is regardless of whether you were just diagnosed recently, or you’ve been diagnosed over a long period of time.

Apart from the fact of its fickleness, it is also very important that it is always in check and managed well

Proper blood glucose management can help to prevent you from potential diabetes complications like nerve damage, kidney disease, vision problems, heart diseases and stroke

Learning how different habits and factors can cause blood sugar to fluctuate can help you prepare for, and predict fluctuations

It is important to note that some of these factors are out of control; even though you stick to your medications and diet, your blood sugar will still tend to fluctuate.

But that doesn’t mean it cant be prepared to defend against those fluctuations. Keep reading to see factors that could affect blood sugar and what to do about them.

1. DEHYDRATION: sounds awkward right? Well, being dehydrated and having diabetes are co-related. When your body is short of enough fluid supply, the sugar in the cells tends to be high concentrated and this leads to hyperglycaemia.

To make things worse, high blood glucose leads to excessive urination, which can in turn increase dehydration.

So, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is in your interest to stay hydrated always, especially with water.

2. SOME MEDICATIONS AFFECTS BLOOD SUGAR: apart from your oral drugs to help manage diabetes, some other over-the-counter drugs you’re on can alter glucose readings.

Drugs used to treat inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and asthma can cause a spike in blood glucose.

3. DAWN PHENOMENON: you might have experienced this one time or the other when your blood sugar levels spike at early mornings even if you did so well with your drugs and diet the previous night.

It might just be dawns phenomenon: your body releases cortisol during 2am-8am, and this hormone has a way of making your body less sensitive to insulin.

You should check with your doctor if this continues regularly.

Apart to inadequate management and abuse of oral glycaemic drugs, some other factors might be influencing your blood sugar readings

You have noticed that your crossed all your T’s and dotted all your I’s and still? Just maybe, these factors are involved.

SOURCES:
– https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/symptoms/surprising-causes-of-blood-sugar-swings/
– https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/spotlights/blood-sugar.html
– https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/dawn-effect/faq-20057937#:~:text=The%20dawn%20phenomenon%2C%20also%20called,a.m.%20%E2%80%94%20in%20people%20with%20diabetes.
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430893/

GENERAL RESEARCH

High fiber linked to immunotherapy response among patients with melanoma

on March 21, 2022 by PRINCE add comment

Cancer has been a threat globally and every professional has been on their toes to proffer a solution.
Immunotherapy, therefore, is one of the ways to help manage cancer patients
Immunotherapy involves stimulation of the immune system to help fight cancer. This method has shown tremendous improvements in the treatment of many tumors.

Even with this development, there are individual responses to the treatment. For some people, the tumors might shrink or disappear totally, and for some, no effects at all.

Further research has gone into this case, and it has been noticed that the gut microbiome might have a role to play in the efficacy of immunotherapy. So, therefore, modifying the gut bacterium may help improve tumor response to immunotherapy.

FIBER INTAKE AND MELANOMA RISK

According to a study, a higher intake of dietary fiber (responsible for the promotion of healthy gut) was associated with improved response to immunotherapy, and in preclinical models, dietary fiber manipulation impacted antitumor immunity. According to Jennifer McQuade, MD, assistant professor of melanoma medical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, “The dietary pattern associated with response to immunotherapy is the same diet recommended by American Cancer Society and American Institute for Cancer Research, which includes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes. This diet is also recommended for secondary cancer prevention and prevention of cardiovascular disease and health in general.”
Furthermore, research has it that every 5% increase in fiber intake resulted in a 30% reduced risk of cancer progression or death.

RATIONALE
Previous research has shown gut microbes may regulate response to drugs that block protein (T-cells) checkpoints. Extensive studies on the effect of diet and probiotic supplements on patients with melanoma using drugs that inhibit these proteins are needed.

METHODOLOGY
McQuade and colleagues conducted a randomized prospective clinical trial to assess how varying fiber intake affects the gut microbiome and immune response among 128 patients with advanced melanoma receiving treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Researchers examined fecal microbiota profiles, dietary habits, and commercially available probiotic supplement use, and performed parallel preclinical studies.

KEY FINDINGS
According to a randomized prospective clinical trial to assess how varying fiber intake affects the gut microbiome and immune response among 123 patients with advanced melanoma, Patients who reported higher consumption of dietary fiber intake from fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains experienced significantly longer PFS. Median PFS was not reached among the 37 patients with sufficient fiber intake, compared with median PFS of 13 months among the 91 patients with insufficient fiber intake.
After this, it was noticed that 82% of patients with both sufficient fiber intake and no probiotic use responded well to immunotherapy, compared with only 59% of patients who reported either insufficient fiber intake or probiotic use.
Probiotic supplement use alone did not appear associated with a significant difference, in short, data suggests it reduces chances of survival.

IMPLICATIONS
Based on these findings, oncologists, dietitians, and all others managing cancer patients, it is important to focus on how much fiber is consumed in their diet.
The aim is to test the hypothesis that dietary fiber will help modulate the gut environment and enhance immunity.
Further research is still going on to ascertain variations in fiber and their roles in helping patients with cancer (melanoma especially).

SOURCES:
1. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/fiber-diet-linked-cancer-immunotherapy-response
2. https://medicaldialogues.in/diet-nutrition/news/association-between-vitamin-d-and-type-2-diabetes-is-affected-by-magnesium-intake-study-finds-86270?infinitescroll=1
3. : Dietary fiber and probiotics influence the gut microbiome and melanoma immunotherapy response. Spencer CN, McQuade JL, Gopalakrishnan V, McCulloch JA, Vetizou M, Cogdill AP, Khan MAW, Zhang X, White MG, Peterson CB, Wong MC, Morad G, Rodgers T, Badger JH, Helmink BA, Andrews MC, Rodrigues RR, Morgun A, Kim YS, Roszik J, Hoffman KL, Zheng J, Zhou Y, Medik YB, Kahn LM, Johnson S, Hudgens CW, Wani K, Gaudreau PO, Harris AL, Jamal MA, Baruch EN, Perez-Guijarro E, Day CP, Merlino G, Pazdrak B, Lochmann BS, Szczepaniak-Sloane RA, Arora R, Anderson J, Zobniw CM, Posada E, Sirmans E, Simon J, Haydu LE, Burton EM, Wang L, Dang M, Clise-Dwyer K, Schneider S, Chapman T, Anang NAS, Duncan S, Toker J, Malke JC, Glitza IC, Amaria RN, Tawbi HA, Diab A, Wong MK, Patel SP, Woodman SE, Davies MA, Ross MI, Gershenwald JE, Lee JE, Hwu P, Jensen V, Samuels Y, Straussman R, Ajami NJ, Nelson KC, Nezi L, Petrosino JF, Futreal PA, Lazar AJ, Hu J, Jenq RR, Tetzlaff MT, Yan Y, Garrett WS, Huttenhower C, Sharma P, Watowich SS, Allison JP, Cohen L, Trinchieri G, Daniel CR, Wargo JA. Science. 2021 Dec 24;374(6575):1632-1640. doi: 10.1126/science.aaz7015. Epub 2021 Dec 23. PMID: 34941392.