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- Astragalus Prevents Chemo-induced Immune Injury
Astragalus Prevents Chemo-induced Immune Injury
The title “astragalus prevents chemo-induced immune injury” may be a broad statement but it is what came in to my mind as I read the study linked below.
For years now, I have been struggling with the idea that chemotherapy (all forms, all types) are a short term solution to the problem of cancer. Yes, chemo kills cancer cells but, at the same time, chemo damages the patient’s immune system.
If the cancer patient has to undergo successive rounds of chemo, their immune system is damaged repeatedly until they are as susceptible to infection as they are to their cancer.
I know this is true with my cancer, multiple myeloma. MM is an incurable blood cancer. MM patients live through remissions and relapses undergoing round after round of chemo.
Conventional oncology focuses on treating cancer not side effect prevention. Information like this post, while based on research, is outside of the usual purview of conventional oncology. Remember that your oncologist will know little about evidence-based non-conventional therapies such as astragalus.
What are the pros and cons for supplementing with astragalus?
Pros:
- Immune Support: Astragalus has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support the immune system. It contains compounds that may enhance immune function, potentially helping the body fight off infections and illnesses.
- Antioxidant Properties: It contains antioxidants that can help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, potentially reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Adaptogenic Properties: Astragalus is classified as an adaptogen, which means it may help the body adapt to stress and support overall well-being.
- Cardiovascular Health: Some research suggests that astragalus may have protective effects on the cardiovascular system, including lowering blood pressure and improving heart function.
- Anti-Aging Effects: Astragalus has been studied for its potential anti-aging properties, with some research indicating it may help protect against age-related decline in various bodily functions.
Cons:
- Interactions with Medications: Astragalus may interact with certain medications, such as immunosuppressants and blood thinners. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before taking astragalus, especially if you are on any medications.
- Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to astragalus, particularly if they are allergic to plants in the Fabaceae family, such as peanuts or soybeans.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is limited research on the safety of astragalus supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s best to avoid using it during these times unless directed by a healthcare professional.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Astragalus may stimulate the immune system, which could exacerbate symptoms in individuals with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis.
- Digestive Issues: In some cases, astragalus supplementation may cause mild digestive side effects such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea.
My thinking is that if astragalus prevents chemo-induced immune injury, then cancer patients can add this therapy to their regimen of nutrition, nutritional supplementation and life style therapies in order to undergo chemo and keep their immune system as healthy as possible at the same time.
We will see. Cross your fingers. If you are a cancer patient and you have questions about enhancing your immune system email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com
thank you,
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
immune system
“A complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and the substances they make that helps the body fight infections and other diseases. The immune system includes white blood cells and organs and tissues of the lymph system, such as the thymus, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and bone marrow.”
Astragalus polysaccharides attenuates chemotherapy-induced immune injury by modulating gut microbiota and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism
“The damage of chemotherapy drugs to immune function and intestinal mucosa is a common side effect during chemotherapy. Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) exhibit immunomodulatory properties and are recognized for preserving the integrity of the human intestinal barrier. Nevertheless, their application and mechanisms of action in chemotherapy-induced immune damage and intestinal barrier disruption remain insufficiently explored…
Results
APS ameliorated chemotherapy-induced damage to immune organs and regulated immune cell differentiation disorders, including CD4+T, CD8+T, CD19+B, F4/80+CD11B+ macrophages. APS also alleviated colon shortening and upregulated the expression of intestinal barrier proteins.
Furthermore, APS significantly restored structure of gut microbiota following chemotherapy intervention. Ex vivo microbiome assays further demonstrated the capacity of APS to improve 5-Fu-induced microbiota growth inhibition and compositional change. FMT demonstrated that the regulation of gut microbiota by APS could promote the recovery of immune functions and alleviate shortening of the colon length.
Remarkably, APS significantly ameliorated the imbalance of linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism. Further in vitro experiments showed that LA could promote splenic lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, both LA and DGLA down-regulated the secretion of NO and partially up-regulated the percentage of F4/80+CD11B+CD206+ cells.
Conclusion-
Astragalus prevents chemo-induced immune Injury and intestinal mucosal disruption by regulating the composition of the gut microbiota and further restoring PUFA metabolism.
These findings indicate that APS can serve as an adjuvant to improve the side effects such as intestinal and immune damage caused by chemotherapy…