Both whey protein and cod liver oil contain essential nutrients that can help cancer patients heal. Whey protein provides vital amino acids, while cod liver oil offers an excellent source of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, as well as vitamin D. Speak to your doctor or health care provider about whey protein and cod liver oil supplementation if you have cancer.
Glutathione Antioxidant System
The glutathione antioxidant system protects cells from oxidative stress; changes in the makeup of the glutathione antioxidant system often accompany the onset of cancer. Research demonstrates that whey protein can boost the activity of the glutathione antioxidant system, which, in turn, helps cancer patients combat cancer cell proliferation. A November 2000 study conducted by Canadian researchers and published in the journal "Anticancer Research" showed that cysteine, an amino acid found in whey protein, effectively replenished the glutathione antioxidant system.
Vitamin D
Cod liver oil offers an excellent source of vitamin D; one tbsp. of cod liver oil provides 340 percent of the recommended daily intake of this vitamin, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. An August 2007 study conducted by University of California researchers and published in the journal "Nutrition Reviews" discovered that lower vitamin D levels correlated with higher rates of colorectal and breast cancers. This research suggests that vitamin D has a protective effect that helps cancer patients heal. Seek medical clearance before you supplement cod liver oil for cancer.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Recent research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil may facilitate apoptosis -- the death of cancerous cells -- in certain tumors that have developed resistance to chemotherapy drugs. A June 2010 study conducted by Roger Williams Medical Center researchers and published in the journal "Archives of Surgery" showed that omega-3 fatty acids effectively restored the cell's ability to combat cancerous invaders in a pancreatic cancer cell model.
During Treatment
An effective way to supplement both whey protein and cod liver oil during cancer treatment is to blend them together in smoothies. Whey protein and cod liver oil can be blended with fresh fruit, frozen yogurt, ice cream, milk or yogurt to provide a delicious smoothie that is easy to ingest, particularly if cancer patients experience side effects from treatment such as mouth sores or throat pain. Smoothies will also successfully mask the taste of the cod liver oil for those cancer patients who are not fond of fish.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Overview of Nutrition in Cancer Care; December 2010
- Anticancer Research: Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) and Glutathione Modulation in Cancer Treatment; G. Bounous; November 2000
- International Journal of Cancer: Altered Glutathione Anti-Oxidant Metabolism during Tumor Progression in Human Renal-Cell Carcinoma; L. Lusini et al.; January 2001
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin D; June 2011
- EurekAlert: Study Shines More Light on Benefit of Vitamin D in Fighting Cancer; Cedric F. Garland, Ph.D. et al.; August 2007
- Archives of Surgery: Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Investigations from Cytokine Regulation to Pancreatic Cancer Gene Suppression; C. Boutros et al.; June 2010
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