How can you improve your microbiome? - CancerChoices



Your Microbiome

Over thousands of years, our bodies have developed a symbiotic relationship with organisms living in and on our bodies, generally supporting each other’s health and well-being. Research links your microbiome—and changes in it—to several types of cancer and how well you respond to some conventional cancer treatments.

How can you improve your microbiome?

Top practices and therapies for managing your microbiome

Therapies we have reviewed

Conventional care

Conventional treatments include fecal microbiome transplant, which transfers fecal material rich in microbes from a host with a healthy microbiome to a person with a poorer microbiome. A separate host/donor is used for fecal material (stool) when a person has an infection, such as C. difficile, that is difficult to treat and which can respond well to the introduction of desired microbes. A donor‘s stool sample may also be used to populate the gut with desired microbes for other reasons, such as to treat refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor–induced colitis.1Halsey TM, Thomas AS et al. Microbiome alteration via fecal microbiota transplantation is effective for refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis. Science Translational Medicine. 2023 Jun 14;15(700):eabq4006. This use of fecal microbiome transplant is not yet considered standard of care.

Another variation involves a person with a healthy microbiome providing a stool sample before undergoing antibiotic treatment. This is called an autologous—”from oneself”—transplant. After antibiotic treatment ends, the person’s own stool and microbes are re-introduced.

Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) shows this to be an effective way to repopulate a healthy gut microbiome—more effective than using probiotics.

Self care practices and complementary therapies

Strong, good, or modest evidence of benefit for managing your microbiome

Strong evidenceconsistent, significant effects in several large (or at least one very large) well designed clinical studies or at least two meta-analyses of clinical studies of moderate or better quality (or one large meta-analysis) finding similar results (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) indicates confidence that the practice or therapy has an effect as noted. Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) indicates that the practice or therapy is linked to the outcomes described with reasonable certainty. Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) means the practice or therapy may be linked to the outcomes described, but with a lower degree of certainty.

Evidence supporting the statements here is described on the linked pages.

Eating Well: good and modest evidence
  • Diet is a major factor driving the composition and metabolism of the microbiota of the colon (good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently)).
  • Changing your diet can bring rapid and significant changes to your microbiome (modest evidence).
  • A healthier microbiome is found among people following the recommended dietary patterns of plant-based foods and minimal red and processed meats (modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently)). Foods that promote a healthy microbiome include cruciferous vegetables (broccoli family), whole grains, fermented foods, and foods high in fiber.
  • More frailty and less community-associated microbiota diversity among elderly people in long-term residential care eating diets with more fat and less fiber (preliminary evidence)
Moving More: modest evidence

Healthier microbiota among healthy people with higher levels of physical activity (modest evidence)

Manage your body weight: modest evidence

As you gain weight beyond a normal body weight, the ratio of some microbes changes, which can be reversed by losing weight. 

Worse microbial balance among people who are obese and improved balance among people losing weight (modest evidence)

Healthy lifestyle

Limiting alcohol and refraining from smoking and recreational drug use are good approaches to keeping your microbiome healthy.

We’re working to review all the evidence related to these lifestyle behaviors. These findings are from our research to date.

Mediterranean diet: strong evidence

An alteration of gut microbiota to a status associated with less inflammation, reduced risks of disease, and eubiosis in general among people following a Mediterranean diet (strong evidence)

Probiotics and prebiotics: mixed evidence

Better microbiome status among people with cancer treated with probiotics, including during chemotherapy and surgery (good evidence)

Less disruption to the gut microbiome among people with cancer treated with probiotics (preliminary evidence)

Greater gut bacterial diversity and higher levels of the main short-chain fatty acids during chemotherapy after colorectal cancer surgical resection among people treated with probiotic tablets (preliminary evidence)

No evidence of an effect on oral bacterial community composition or diversity after radiotherapy among people with head and neck cancer treated with oral probiotics in a small trial

Not specific to cancer:

  • Higher abundance of microbial genera after surgery among people treated with probiotics (preliminary evidence)
  • Beneficial changes in the microbiomes of people treated with prebiotics (preliminary evidence)
  • Preliminary evidence of beneficial changes to the fecal microbiome among people with diabetes treated with probiotics
  • Less bacterial vaginosis among people treated with oral probiotics (preliminary evidence)

Preliminary evidence of benefit for managing your microbiome

Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) typically indicates that not much research has been published so far, although the outcomes may be meaningful.

Acupuncture and moxibustion Learn moreSee Less
Berberine Learn moreSee Less
Fasting or calorie restriction Learn moreSee Less
Metformin Learn moreSee Less
Time in nature Learn moreSee Less
Vitamin C: oral use Learn moreSee Less

No evidence of benefit for managing your microbiome

Green tea or EGCG ›

Not specific to cancer:

  • No evidence of an effect on bacterial diversity and community structures among adults treated with green tea capsules in a small study

Your microbiome and gut surgery

Colorectal and other gastrointestinal surgeries are invasive and disrupt the microbial balance in the gut. This disruption can lead to reduced function of your gut barrier, which normally allows the absorption of nutrients into your blood while keeping bacteria and other pathogens from spreading through your body. Disruption can also lead to a local immune response, systemic inflammation, and potentially even infection after surgery.3Anderson SW, Bazzell AF, Dains JE. An integrative review on the effect of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on infection after colorectal cancer surgery. AORN Journal. 2018;107(2):237–248.

In preclinical studies with mice, altering the gut microbiota using dietary inulin and 5-ASA reinforced the gut barrier and prevented anastomotic tumors and metastatic spread after colorectal cancer surgery.4Hajjar R, Oliero M et al. Modulating gut microbiota prevents anastomotic leak to reduce local implantation and dissemination of colorectal cancer cells after surgery. Clinical Cancer Research. 2023 Nov 27.

Prebiotics and probiotics may be helpful. See Probiotics and Prebiotics for more information.

Commentary: microbiome and surgery

CancerChoices Senior Clinical Consultant Laura Pole, RN, MSN, OCNS: Integrative physician and CancerChoices advisor Keith Block, MD, and other clinician researchers suggest using prebiotics or probiotics before and after surgery to reduce the risk of infection and keep the protective inner lining of the intestines (mucosal barrier) healthy.5Block KI, Block PB, Gyllenhaal C. Integrative treatment for colorectal cancer: a comprehensive approach. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018 Sep/Oct;24(9-10):890-901. This is backed by research: Use of probiotics around the time of surgery improved the gut microbiome6Aisu N, Tanimura S et al. Impact of perioperative probiotic treatment for surgical site infections in patients with colorectal cancer. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2015;10(3):966–972. and protected the intestinal lining’s physical and biological barrier7Liu D, Jiang XY, Zhou LS, Song JH, Zhang X. Effects of probiotics on intestinal mucosa barrier in patients with colorectal cancer after operation: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Apr;95(15):e3342. after colorectal cancer surgery.

I encourage you to consult your surgeon and/or an integrative oncologist—such as a naturopathic oncologist or functional medicine physician—to recommend specific probiotics you can take as well as other measures to protect and restore your microbiome.

Find a physician knowledgeable about terrain factors in cancer care

These practitioners are trained regarding appropriate therapies to optimize body terrain as part of an integrative cancer care plan.

Terrain Certified Practitioner Directory ›

Helpful links

Authors

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant
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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS Lead Researcher

Andrew Jackson, ND

Research Associate
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Andrew Jackson, ND, serves as a CancerChoices research associate. As a naturopathic physician practicing in Kirkland, Washington, he teaches critical evaluation of the medical literture at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. His great appreciation of scientific inquiry and the scientific process has led him to view research with a critical eye.

Andrew Jackson, ND Research Associate

Last update: April 21, 2024

Last full literature review: July 2021

CancerChoices provides information about integrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care, and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocialtherapy, and acupuncture therapies and self carelifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

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