A Simple Change in Diet May Support Gut Healing in Cancer Survivors, Researchers Say
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An amino acid found in everyday foods such as meat, cheese, nuts and beans could help heal the gut after cancer treatments, according to new research.
In a study in mice, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that cysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, had the strongest rejuvenating effect on stem cells and early-stage intestinal cells, which are often damaged during cancer radiation therapy.
According to the researchers, if future human studies show similar results, increasing cysteine intake through food or supplements could help cancer patients recover from treatment.
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“The study suggests that if we give these patients a cysteine-rich diet or cysteine supplements, perhaps we can buffer some of the chemotherapy or radiation-induced injury,” study lead author Omer Yilmaz, director of the MIT Stem Cell Initiative, said in a statement.
Cancer treatments can damage the lining of the intestine and affect digestion and recovery. (iStock)
“The good thing here is that we are not using a synthetic molecule; we are exploiting a natural dietary compound,” he added.
Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, are known to damage the lining of the intestine and kill healthy cells that help. digestion and repair, according to the National Cancer Institute and MIT researchers.
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The study, led by postdoctoral researcher Fangtao Chi, divided mice into groups and fed each a diet rich in one of 20 different amino acids. The team then tracked how each amino acid affected the regeneration of intestinal stem cells.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and help the body produce muscle, hormones and other vital molecules, while supporting tissue repair, growth and essential functions, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Cysteine is found in many protein-rich foods, such as meat, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts. (iStock)
The effects of cysteine were seen more in the small intestine than in any other part of the digestive tract, probably because the small intestine is where most protein is absorbed, the researchers noted.
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They also discovered that cysteine helps trigger a repair response in the intestine by activating immune cells that release signals to regenerate intestinal tissue.
The findings were published earlier this month in the journal Nature.
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Other work by the researchers, which has not yet been published, found that a diet high in cysteine specifically helped the intestine recover from treatment with 5-fluorouracil, a chemotherapy drug used to treat colon and pancreatic cancers, according to MIT.
The study showed that cysteine boosted healing in the small intestine after treatment. (iStock)
Yilmaz’s lab has previously explored how different diets affect stem cell regeneration and found that high-fat foods and short periods of fasting can also improve stem cell activity. The new study, however, is the first to identify a single nutrient that can regenerate intestinal cells.
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The team is also investigating whether cysteine could stimulate hair follicle regeneration, with plans to further explore other amino acids that appear to influence stem cell regeneration.
“I think we’re going to discover multiple new mechanisms for how these amino acids regulate cell fate decisions and gut health in the small intestine and colon,” Yilmaz predicted.
News Digital has reached out to investigators for comment.
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Dr. Amie Hornaman, a certified functional medicine practitioner based in Erie, Pennsylvania, said the recent findings are promising but come with caveats, including that human trials are needed.
The study in mice suggests that cysteine could help heal the intestine after cancer treatment. (iStock)
“Cysteine is not a magic bullet, but it can be a useful tool,” Hornaman told News Digital. “For now, I recommend cysteine as a food first with oncology-guided supplementation and a solid foundation of protein, fiber, and microbiome support.”
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Typical sulfur amino acid requirements are approximately 13 to 19 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, which is generally obtained from a balanced whole-food diet, he noted.
In general, Hornaman recommends that cancer patients and survivors stay hydrated, prioritize protein and soft fiber, and avoid high doses of antioxidants during treatments, unless cleared by an oncology team.
Deirdre Bardolf is a lifestyle writer at News Digital.