New study says high-fiber diet could speed up cancer recovery — here's what to eat now
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
How does fiber change how well cancer treatment works?
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
What did the DIET trial show?
Could cancer care soon include nutrition?
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
A hopeful way to go forward
FAQs
Could something as simple as eating more fiber improve cancer treatments? A new study suggests that it just might. Researchers found that patients with melanoma responded better to immunotherapy when they ate a high-fiber diet, indicating an encouraging link between nutrition and cancer recovery The findings highlight a potential link between fiber, gut health, and immune response, implying that diet may play an important role in improving cancer treatment outcomes.For cancer patients getting immunotherapy, a diet high in fiber could make a big difference. A new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients with melanoma responded better to treatment when their diet was high in fiber, as per a report by the Express.The DIET trial looked at patients who were getting immunotherapy, which is a treatment that helps the body fight cancer by boosting its natural defenses. Researchers found that people who ate more fiber had better results from their treatment and fewer side effects. The main connection? The gut microbiome.Dr. John Ma, the study's lead investigator and an oncologist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, said, "We're learning that gut bacteria play an important role in how the immune system works and how it responds to treatment."The second phase of the trial had two groups of people with melanoma. One group ate a lot of fiber, getting between 30 and 50 grams of it every day. The other group ate a more typical Western diet, getting about 20 grams of fiber every day.Patients who followed the high-fiber plan not only handled it well, but they also responded better to immunotherapy. Also, they said they had fewer skin problems like rashes and itching, which are common complaints among people getting cancer treatment.Dr. Ma said that the results were good, even though they were still early. He said, "What was especially encouraging was that something as simple and easy to get as diet might help treatment outcomes." "That's something patients can do for themselves."This study isn't just about fiber; it's part of a bigger trend toward looking at things like diet that patients can change in order to treat cancer. Ma says that more and more researchers think that everyday choices could one day be included in standard cancer care.Ma said, "There aren't many studies that show that supplements or changes in lifestyle really change outcomes." "But the DIET study shows us what might be possible."He stressed that more research is needed to prove the link between dietary fiber and treatment effectiveness, but a larger phase 3 trial might be coming up soon. If this is true, fiber could be a powerful weapon against cancer that is cheap, easy to get, and based on something as simple as what you eat.Studies like this one give us new hope as treatments for melanoma continue to improve. Ma said, "It's a time like no other." "We're seeing people live longer than ever before, and that gives us real hope."Patients should talk to their care teams before making any big changes to their diets for now, but the message is clear: food may one day be part of the medicine.Yes, the study found that melanoma patients on a high-fiber diet responded better to immunotherapy.Participants in the high-fiber group consumed 30 to 50 grams of fiber per day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Ayurvedic food combining: The ancient secret to better digestion, clearer skin, and more energy
In an age of gut health supplements and trendy diets, we often overlook a timeless truth: digestion begins with how we combine our foods. According to Ayurveda , India's 5,000-year-old healing system, even nutritious foods can become harmful when paired incorrectly. Poor combinations may disturb the digestive fire (agni), creating toxins, inflammation, and long-term imbalances. While modern medicine focuses on what to eat, Ayurveda looks deeper, at how and with what we eat. This article explores ancient food pairing wisdom and offers practical tips to reset your digestion naturally, one mindful meal at a time. Why food combining matters in Ayurveda Unlike Western dietary approaches that promote food group balance, Ayurveda tailors food intake to an individual's constitution: vata, pitta, or kapha. It considers the taste (rasa), energy (virya), and post-digestive effect (vipaka) of each ingredient. When foods with clashing qualities are combined, such as bananas (sour after digestion) and milk (sweet post-digestive effect), they confuse the body's digestive intelligence. A study , "Conceptual study of Viruddha Ahara in Ayurveda along with Modern perspective," confirms that incompatible combinations such as milk with citrus or proteins with starches can disturb enzymatic pathways, increase oxidative stress, and harm gut bacteria—paralleling Ayurveda's warnings about weakening agni and generating ama. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Donating Sperm May Boost Your Income SpellRock Undo Common incompatible food combinations to avoid according to Ayurveda Ayurveda outlines a number of food pairings that may disturb digestion and even create toxins. Some surprising culprits include: Bananas and milk: Though both seem mild and sweet, they have different vipaka. Their combination can lead to congestion, allergies, or sluggish digestion. Melons and dairy: Melons digest rapidly, while milk takes longer. Together, they ferment and curdle in the stomach. Fruit with most meals: Fruit, especially melons, should ideally be eaten alone. Mixing fruit with grains, dairy, or starches may lead to fermentation and acidity. Equal parts ghee and honey: Though both are revered in Ayurveda, when mixed in equal weight, their opposing energies (ghee is cooling, honey is heating) become toxic. Yogurt with fruit or hot drinks: This can disturb the gut flora and increase mucous production. Lemon with milk or tomatoes: The acidity of lemon may curdle milk and destabilise digestion when mixed with certain vegetables. What poor food combinations do to your digestion and overall health Poor food combinations , if eaten regularly, may overwhelm the digestive fire (agni), leading to incomplete digestion, toxin build-up, and long-term imbalances in the body. Symptoms can manifest as: Chronic bloating and gas Food intolerances Allergies and sinus issues Sluggish metabolism or weight gain Skin breakouts or inflammation The underlying issue? Digestion is not just about what you eat, but how and with what you eat it. Simple Ayurvedic tips to make food combining practical and sustainable Ayurveda isn't about rigid rules, but conscious living. To make food combining more accessible, here are simple guidelines to get started: Eat fruit on its own, ideally 30–60 minutes before other meals. Don't mix raw and cooked food in the same meal. For example, avoid combining fresh salad with hot lentil soup. Take small sips of warm water during meals, instead of cold drinks, which douse the digestive fire. Use spices and herbs like ginger, cumin, or cardamom to balance difficult foods or aid digestion. Practise mindful eating: chew thoroughly, eat without distractions, and don't overload the stomach. Leave one-third of your stomach empty after meals. Can your body adapt to bad food combinations? Here's what Ayurveda says Ayurveda recognises that the body can sometimes adjust to long-standing dietary habits. For instance, someone accustomed to eating apples and cheese together may digest them more easily than someone trying the combination for the first time. However, this doesn't make it ideal; it simply reflects the body's ability to compensate, not thrive. Ayurveda also offers natural antidotes for certain combinations: cardamom in coffee can help counteract its overstimulating effects, while adding ghee and black pepper to potatoes may reduce their tendency to cause gas. That said, prevention is always better than cure. You don't need to overhaul your entire diet overnight. Start small, observe how your body responds to different pairings, eat fruit on its own, skip iced drinks, and slowly incorporate Ayurvedic wisdom into your meals. Ultimately, Ayurveda teaches us that digestion is sacred, and how we combine foods can be just as important as what we eat. Also Read: Is eating curd daily not safe for your health? Ayurveda warns about the risks of overconsumption
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
World's Boiling River stuns the world with deadly heat and Amazon mystery challenging science
Source: BBC Hidden deep within the Amazon rainforest, the Shanay-timpishka in Peru, more famously known as the Boiling River, is one of Earth's most extraordinary natural wonders. This river is no ordinary body of water—it maintains extreme temperatures so high that they can reach 210°F (100°C), enough to boil living animals alive and inflict severe burns within seconds. Stretching approximately 9 kilometers, the river has intrigued scientists, explorers, and indigenous communities alike. Its existence far from any volcanic activity challenges conventional geological knowledge, making it both a cultural legend and a scientific enigma. For centuries, it has been revered and feared by locals who rely on it for daily living needs yet respect its dangerous power. World's Boiling River origins The Boiling River was first introduced to the Western world through tales of Spanish conquistadors who ventured into the Amazon basin centuries ago in search of the fabled El Dorado, or the city of gold. Alongside descriptions of dense jungle canopies, poisoned-arrow-wielding warriors, and powerful shamans, they recounted a chilling natural phenomenon—a river so hot it could boil a human alive. For geoscientist Andrés Ruzo, these accounts initially sounded like pure folklore. However, during a conversation with his aunt, he was surprised to learn that the Shanay-timpishka was very real and part of the local culture. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo She even shared her experience of swimming in it safely after heavy rains cooled the otherwise scalding waters. This revelation shifted Ruzo's perspective from skepticism to curiosity, ultimately motivating him to investigate the river himself. Scientific mystery of the Boiling River Driven by scientific curiosity, Andrés Ruzo travelled deep into the Amazon rainforest, far from any volcanic or tectonic hotspots that could normally explain such high temperatures. To his astonishment, he confirmed that the Boiling River indeed flows at dangerously high temperatures, reaching up to 210°F (100°C), equivalent to the boiling point of water at sea level. For comparison, the average cup of coffee measures only around 130°F (55°C), meaning direct exposure to the river's water results in second- and third-degree burns within moments. The indigenous community has long adapted to its presence, using the river's steam for cooking food, heating water, and even therapeutic purposes. Despite being potentially lethal, the river is considered sacred and integral to local daily life. Its existence, hundreds of kilometers away from any volcanic heat source, poses a mystery for scientists studying geothermal activity. Researchers continue to investigate underground systems, looking for unknown geological processes that could produce such an anomaly. Why the Boiling River project is vital for future generations With approval from local shamans and community leaders, Andrés Ruzo launched The Boiling River Project, an initiative designed to protect and study the Shanay-timpishka. The project focuses on several key areas: Scientific research to understand the river's geothermal origin Conservation programs to protect the surrounding rainforest ecosystem Cultural preservation, ensuring that indigenous knowledge and traditions linked to the river are respected and passed on Educational outreach to inspire global awareness about unique natural phenomena The Boiling River is more than just a geological wonder—it's a testament to how local traditions, natural sciences, and global conservation can converge. It challenges existing geological models, offers potential insights into Earth's geothermal systems, and highlights the delicate balance between nature and human life in the Amazon. Also Read | Canadian wildfire smoke pushes Minneapolis to world's second worst air quality, prompting urgent health warnings
Economic Times
a day ago
- Economic Times
The stealth war: How China is quietly squeezing the lifeline of US military technology through 'magnets'
TIL Creatives Representative AI Image China is tightening its grip on the minerals that power the Western world's most advanced weapons, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The controls aren't loud or flashy, but they're being felt in boardrooms, warehouses, and weapons factories across the United States. The Pentagon has already started to feel the strain. Missiles, fighter jets, radar systems, drones — all depend on a steady stream of materials like gallium, germanium, and rare earth magnets. And right now, that stream is being choked. In one example, a US drone component maker had its shipments of key Chinese-made magnets held up for weeks. Chinese suppliers had suddenly begun demanding detailed information about where the parts were going and how they'd be used. Chris Thompson, Vice President of Global Sales at ePropelled, said the company refused.'Of course we are not going to provide the Chinese government with that information,' Chris Thompson told a result, the magnets stopped arriving. Production delays followed. ET has not been able to independently verify these claims. These minerals aren't obscure. They're the building blocks of nearly every modern military is used in radar and satellite communications. Germanium is key for night vision and infrared imaging. Antimony is used in explosives and armour-piercing ammunition. Rare earth elements like neodymium and samarium are found in high-performance magnets, which power everything from missile guidance systems to drone propulsion and F-35 flight like dysprosium and terbium, are essential for heat-resistant alloys in jet engines. Others, like gadolinium, are critical for sonar and underwater surveillance materials aren't just important, they're irreplaceable. Substitutes either don't exist or don't work nearly as the problem isn't just that China mines a lot of them. It's that China processes and refines most of the global supply. Even when the raw materials come from somewhere else, they often pass through Chinese refineries before reaching the production isn't just a one-off problem. The deeper you look, the more it becomes clear: America's defence supply chain is built on materials it doesn't a defence analytics firm, recently found that more than 80,000 parts used across Pentagon weapons systems rely on minerals now facing Chinese restrictions. In many cases, these supply chains include only one or two vendors, and nearly all of them are connected to China. 'We talk about this daily and our companies talk about it daily,' said Dak Hardwick, Aerospace Industries Association, as reported by WSJ. Leonardo DRS, a US military tech supplier, warned it's already down to its "safety stock" of germanium, a metal essential for missile infrared sensors.'In order to sustain timely product deliveries, material flow must improve in the second half,' said Lenardo DRS's CEO Bill Lynn during a conference call with WSJ. That's the reality. Without these minerals, weapons can't be built. Full control isn't just about rare earths. It includes antimony, used in explosives. Gallium and germanium, critical for semiconductors and optics. Samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, all found in advanced radar and targeting China blocked exports of germanium and gallium in late 2024, the market barely blinked at first. But by April 2025, it expanded the bans to cover seven more categories of rare earths. Prices spiked. Delivery times stretched out. In one case, a western buyer was quoted a rate 60 times above the usual market another, US Antimony Corporation had a shipment of 55 tonnes of Australian-mined antimony blocked at Ningbo port. It sat for three months before being sent back, with seals broken and no clear not supply chain risk. That's only one operational rare earths mine in the United States: Mountain Pass in California. While it's been scaling up output, refining remains a problem. Much of the ore it produces still ends up in China for Materials, which runs the mine, received over $400 million in US government funding to close that loop. But the gap between extraction and end-use is still has emerged as a possible new source of rare earths and titanium, with the US pushing to support its mining sector as part of postwar reconstruction. But experts are blunt about the timeline. 'Developing mine sites and sufficient infrastructure in the war-torn nation will take time, potentially decades,' said Aidan Knight, an associate analyst from GlobalData, as per a report by US Critical Minerals website. In the meantime, the Pentagon has invoked emergency powers under the Defence Production Act to fast-track domestic mining. DARPA is trying to predict global supply trends using modelling software. And companies like Charles River Analytics are being paid millions to map out alternative sourcing strategies. Still, none of this is fast. And none of it changes the fact that in 2024, China produced 750 out of 760 tonnes of primary gallium worldwide. The US produced is now the biggest factor. The Pentagon has ordered contractors to phase out all Chinese rare earth magnets by 2027. Most firms have a few months of stockpiles, at best. For smaller defence suppliers, that's not a transition, it's a cliff isn't the first time China has flexed its minerals. Back in 2010, it cut off rare earth exports to Japan over a maritime dispute. The move worked. Japan backed down. The message time, the target is wider. And the stakes are logic is simple. You can't build 21st-century weapons without 21st-century materials. If a missile guidance system needs gallium and there's no gallium, that missile doesn't get made. If a fighter jet needs neodymium magnets and none are arriving, the assembly line per a report by US Critical Minerals website, Lewis Black, CEO of Almonty Industries, which mines tungsten, put it plainly, 'We are trying to break that addiction [to Chinese supply] because… like all addictions, it is unhealthy. We cannot afford to go cold turkey because we are just not strong enough to do it."Until the addiction is broken, through new mines, new partnerships, and new infrastructure, Washington's military ambitions will remain dependent on decisions made in just a trade problem. A strategic vulnerability.
