A Different Approach to Malnutrition-Related Appetite and Weight Loss in Cancer Patients: Is Saturation Enough at The Cell Level?

Background: Cancer is one of the most significant, common, and dangerous diseases of our age. Genetic and epigenetic factors play an important role in the disease process. Three key mechanisms dominate the pathogenesis of chronic diseases: inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. The proper functioning of these mechanisms is vital for maintaining health. In this context, three micronutrients stand out in operating these mechanisms. These are vitamins, trace elements and minerals. These nutrients are primarily obtained through the consumption of macromolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vegetables, and fruits. While the disease, cancer patients may experience loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, leading to weight loss due to malnutrition. This malnutrition can result from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or cancer-related factors. This seriously impairs the quality of life of cancer patients and leads to death in a short time. Aim: This study aims to evaluate whether targeted micronutrient supplementation—via three functional food supplements—can effectively correct malnutrition-related appetite loss and weight reduction in cancer patients. Specifically, the investigation focuses on determining if enhancing cellular saturation with key micronutrients can modulate critical cellular mechanisms, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, thereby improving nutritional status, promoting weight gain, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life and survival outcomes in patients with stage IV metastatic cancers. Methods: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of 3 functional food supplements on 98 people with stomach (n=18), breast (n=18), colon (n=18), lung (n=24) and pancreatic cancer (n=20) who had Stage 4 metastasis and completed chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments adult individuals. The 52-week study was completed with 51 men and 47 adult women. The median age of the participants was 61 (26-87) years. The initial weight of the patients included in the study was between 31-44 kg. In this study, Morinda citrifolia (anti-atherosclerotic liquid- AAL) (3 mL once per day orally) Omega-3 (anti-inflammatory capsules- AIC) (3 capsules once per day orally) extract with Alaskan blueberry and 21 different red purple fruit vegetables (antioxidant liquid- AOL) (30 mL once per day orally) have been used. Results: With 52 weeks of follow-up, 74 of the patients included in the study were still alive at the end of the first year. The body weights of 74 surviving patients were between 48-76 kg. The patients received vitamins, minerals and trace elements that will ensure the correct functioning of the three mechanisms with the 3 products they purchased, thus preventing malnutrition and causing a significant increase in their appetite and weight gain. Conclusions: Malnutrition, which is an important factor in the ongoing decrease in appetite and weight loss in cancer patients, is corrected with micronutrition (vitamins, minerals and trace elements) at the cellular level, and a significant improvement in appetite and weight gain prolongs the person's survival and increases the quality of life.