Probiotics and mediterranean diet for breast cancer management and prevention?

2025-05-08
Cell stress 9

PubMed: 40417456
DOI: 10.15698/cst2025.05.303

Study Design

Type: Review
Population: breast cancer patients and survivors
Methods: This comprehensive review highlights the emerging mechanisms by which probiotics support our immune system during different physiological activities. It also discusses their potential role, along with nutrition intervention, in improving essential clinical treatment outcomes in breast cancer patients and survivors.

The human gut microbiota, a diverse community of beneficial normal flora microorganisms, significantly influences physiological function and the immune response. Various microbiota strains have shown promise in supporting clinical treatment of chronic diseases, including cancer, by potentially providing antioxidative and anti-tumorigenic effects in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Breast cancer, which ranks amongst the top five cancer types common worldwide and particularly in Mediterranean countries, has been showing high incidence and prevalence. In breast cancer, microbiota composition, hormonal dynamics, and dietary choices are believed to play significant roles. Hence, the Mediterranean diet, known for its microbiota-friendly features, emerges as a potential protective factor against breast cancer development, highlighting the potential for personalized dietary strategies in cancer prevention. This comprehensive review highlights the emerging mechanisms by which probiotics support our immune system during different physiological activities. It also discusses their potential role, along with nutrition intervention, in improving essential clinical treatment outcomes in breast cancer patients and survivors, suggesting potential supportive strategies that go hand in hand with clinical strategies. Unfortunately, very little research addresses the possible clinical implications of probiotics and dietary habits on breast cancer, despite the promising results, calling for further studies and actions.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus paracasei 431	—	Improved Gut Microbiota Composition	Beneficial	Small	View source Various microbiota strains have shown promise in supporting clinical treatment of chronic diseases, including cancer, by potentially providing antioxidative and anti-tumorigenic effects in both in vivo and in vitro studies.
Lactobacillus paracasei 431	—	Supportive Effect in Breast Cancer Management	Beneficial	Small	View source This comprehensive review highlights the emerging mechanisms by which probiotics support our immune system during different physiological activities. It also discusses their potential role, along with nutrition intervention, in improving essential clinical treatment outcomes in breast cancer patients and survivors.