Boosting ‘Good' Gut Bacteria Could Lower Risk Of Lymphoma

Bolstered by the consumption of probiotics, “good” intestinal bacteria could decrease the risk of developing lymphoma, according to a new study conducted by UCLA researchers.

Bacteria in the gut are split into a pair of categories: harmful bacteria that sparks inflammation, and the beneficial type with anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers believe that positive intestinal bacteria is just one of many healthy options people can make to prevent or delay the onset of lymphoma.

Gut bacteria

A previous study by UCLA proposed a link between intestinal microbiota and the onset of lymphoma. For this study, the researchers examined mice possessing a mutated gene believed to be responsible for lymphoma and other cancers.

One group was given a combination of anti-inflammatory and inflammatory microbes, and the other was administered only anti-inflammatory bacteria. The researchers claim that the mice given only anti-inflammatory bacteria saw a significant delay in the onset of lymphoma.

Researchers are now taking a closer look at how microbiota delays and prevents the onset of lymphoma. They hope that clinicians can prescribe probiotics in the future as a cost-effective and non-intrusive way to battle cancer.

“It is not invasive and rather easy to do,” said Dr. Robert Schiestl, senior author of the study. “In the future, it is our hope that the use of probiotics-containing [supplements] would be a potential chemopreventive for normal humans, while the same type of microbiota would decrease tumor incidence in cancer susceptible populations.”

Source: Lymphoma News Today