Millions of people are looking to eat better to prevent cancer or support treatments. However, between contradictory advice, extreme regimes and anxiety -provoking discourse, it becomes difficult to distinguish the facts established from received ideas. A recent study highlighted the possible role of a vegetable nutrient, zeaxanthine, in strengthening immunity to tumors.
Understand cancer in prism of multiple factors
“” Reducing oncology to a single cause is a major error, because it is a multifactorial pathology involving many mechanisms including genetics, the environment, food and our lifestyle “Says Dr. Didier Bourgeois. This observation recalls that food, although important, cannot be the only key to understanding cancer.
He insists on the complexity of this relationship: ” Our genetic heritage, that is to say the motherboard of our body will be modulated, influenced by epigenetics. We must consider that the expression of a deviant gene will be able to be modulated by our environment, our way of life and that in a positive or negative sense ”.
Food plays an indirect but decisive role here. Some nutritional contributions have a favorable effect. “” This modulation of expression will be influenced by the consumption of antioxidants neutralizing free radicals, by the consumption of certain trace elements such as selenium which will strengthen our immune defenses, by the fight against the deficit in vitamin D or consumption in omega 3 ».
Finally, he highlights the importance of the microbiota: ” The major role of our intestinal microbiota also takes a considerable place in this multifactorial and personalized analysis in the management of cancers. This microbiota is a major interface between our environment and our cells ».
Really carcinogenic foods or simply associated with increased risks?
Many foods are considered carcinogenic, but few are those that are formally according to scientific criteria. The strongest evidence concerns transformed meats, classified by CIR (WHO) as carcinogens (group 1), especially for colorectal cancer. Holders, rich in nitrites, promote the formation of n-nitrrosized compounds. According to the cancer.ca site, a consumption of 50 g per day would increase the risk by 18 %.
Red meats are “probably carcinogenic” (group 2A). Dr. Bourgeois, without condemning them completely, calls for moderation: ” As always the reason must prevail. [En d’autres termes : une consommation raisonnée en privilégiant les produits non transformés] ».
Another risk factor: cooking methods. Studies relayed by the Washington Post Remember that cooking at high temperature, such as barbecue or grill, generates toxic compounds (Hap and heterocyclical amines). These molecules are mutagenic and increase the risk of DNA changes.
For Dr. Bourgeois, the danger does not come from the isolated food. He comes from his association to a set of deleterious factors. “” It will also be negatively modified by the consumption of tobacco or alcohol or by exposure to carcinogenic products or to endocrine disruptors ».
From this perspective, he calls for rethinking oncology as a field discipline. “” Cancerology is not limited to treating isolated disease. But it is to consider a preventive approach to this pathology that I will call benevolent of our body. And this without feeling guilty patients with this disease ».
“Anti-cancer” regimes and food exclusions: watch out for dogmas
Faced with the disease, some people adopt radical restrictive regimes, hoping to deprive the resource tumor. This is particularly the case for those who completely banish sugar. For Dr. Bourgeois, this vision is too simplistic. “” It is obviously a question of completely eliminating sugar on the grounds that our cells and in particular cancer cells need sugar to produce energy and divide. The mechanisms of apoptosis and cell death do not pass through this exclusive path of sugar suppression ”.
However, it recognizes an indirect link between sugar and increased risk of cancer. “” On the other hand, it has been known for a long time that excess sugar causing overweight and obesity is a proven risk factor for many cancers. As proof, an enzyme aromatase presents, among other things, in the adipose tissue. He will produce estrogens and therefore increase the risk of breast cancer ». He adds: ” Excess sugar will also be responsible for hyperinsulinism and resistance to insulin source of an inflammatory state conducive to the development of cancers ».
Dairy products, also sometimes excluded, are not demonized by the oncologist. “” As for dairy products, I will be even more measured. We can emphasize the favorable role of these products in the development of a microbiota necessary for our general and intestinal balance ». He warns against dogmatism which deviates from scientific reality
Towards targeted nutrition based on bioactive nutrients
Understanding the interactions between nutrition and cancer is refined. Researchers move away from major general recommendations to explore specific nutrients. Dr. Bourgeois explains: ” We will be able to set up not only general lines of good nutritional practices, but also more personalized advice according to our lifestyles that are changing ». This orientation towards targeted nutrition opens up promising tracks.
The zeaxanthin corresponds to a carotenoid present in corn, spinach or kale cabbage. Researchers studies it for its antioxidant effects and its ability to reduce intracellular oxidative stress. A known factor in DNA transfer. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) specifies that high carotenoid contributions from food, and not supplements, are associated with a reduction in the risk of digestive cancers. Zeaxanthine, in particular, could play a role in modulating tumor microenvironment, protecting healthy cells and supporting the local immune response.
In 2025, researchers showed that the Indole-3-Carbinol would slow the growth of colorectal cancer in mice. This natural compound is found in cabbage and broccoli. It acts by reactivating a natural protection function of the body, often deactivated in cancer cells. The study also revealed that this molecule could strengthen the effectiveness of certain immunotherapy treatments, without significant side effects.
These results suggest that certain plant nutrients could, in the future, support conventional anticancer therapies. For Dr. Didier Bourgeois, this direction is part of a finer vision of care: “ This more personalized approach to cancerogenesis brings us to a further analysis to define […] means to decrease the incidence of certain cancers or reduce the risk of recurrence ».
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
