METABOLIC THERAPY

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Frankincense

Frankincense, an aromatic resin derived from Boswellia trees, contains bioactive compounds called boswellic acids. These compounds interact with cellular pathways to potentially modulate inflammation and influence cell behaviour, making it a subject of interest in cancer research.
Pricing

Pricing for Frankincense products ranges approximately from £10 to £60, depending on quality, concentration, and formulation.

Frankincense

Cancer Impact Summary

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Full Supplement Details

Frankincense, particularly its bioactive component boswellic acid, has demonstrated promising anti-cancer effects in both in vitro (laboratory) and in vivo (animal) studies.

Molecular Mechanisms: Boswellic acids are potent inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are inflammatory mediators often implicated in cancer development, progression, and metastasis.

Anti-cancer Properties: Research suggests that Frankincense may exert anti-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms:

  • Apoptosis Induction: Boswellic acids have been shown to trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) in various cancer cell lines, potentially eliminating malignant cells.
  • Cell Proliferation Inhibition: Studies indicate that Frankincense extracts can suppress the growth and spread of certain cancer cells, potentially slowing tumour progression.
  • Anti-Inflammatory Action: By inhibiting 5-LOX, Frankincense may reduce chronic inflammation, which is increasingly recognised as a contributing factor to tumour development and progression.

Metabolic Interactions: While the full spectrum of metabolic interactions is complex and requires further elucidation, the inhibition of 5-LOX by boswellic acids could significantly impact arachidonic acid metabolism. This, in turn, may influence various inflammatory and signalling pathways relevant to cancer biology.

Key Research Findings: Preclinical studies have yielded promising results across multiple cancer types. However, it’s crucial to note that clinical evidence in human subjects remains limited, highlighting the need for rigorous clinical trials.

Metabolic Theory of Cancer: Frankincense’s potential to modulate inflammation, primarily through 5-LOX inhibition, aligns with aspects of the metabolic theory of cancer. This theory emphasises the role of metabolic dysregulation and chronic inflammation in cancer initiation and progression, suggesting that targeting these processes could be a valuable therapeutic approach.

Dosage

Determining a recommended safe dosage for frankincense, particularly for its anticancer properties, is challenging due to the variability in study designs and the lack of extensive human trials. However, here are some general guidelines based on existing research:

  1. General Dosage for Boswellia Extracts:

    • For conditions like osteoarthritis, dosages of 100–250 mg/day of formulations like Aflapin and 5-Loxin are commonly studied2.

    • Nonproprietary extracts have been used at higher dosages, ranging from 1,000 to 2,400 mg/day2.

  2. Specific to Cancer Research:

    • A clinical trial involving breast cancer patients used 2,400 mg of frankincense extract for 5 to 56 days before surgery, showing significant reduction in cancer cell growth without serious side effects7.

    • In vitro studies typically use concentrations in the range of 105 μg/ml for assessing cytotoxic effects on cancer cells3.

While some studies suggest potential benefits, more comprehensive human trials are needed to establish safe and effective dosages.

Cancer Types Tested Against

Brain Tumours, Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Leukemia, Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Prostate Cancer

Side Effects

  1. Common Side Effects:

    • Gastrointestinal Issues: Stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and heartburn are common complaints16.

    • Headache: Some individuals may experience headaches13.

    • General Weakness: Feeling weak or fatigued1.

    • Allergic Reactions: Swelling, itching, and allergic rash (more common with topical use)14.

  2. Serious Side Effects:

    • Cardiovascular Symptoms: Fast or pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness1.

    • Neurological Symptoms: Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination1.

    • Severe Nervous System Reactions: Stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors1.

    • Eye Symptoms: Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling1.

  3. Rare but Serious Conditions:

    • Gastric Bezoar: A rare case of a gastric bezoar (accumulation of vegetable fiber) has been reported in a patient with celiac disease4.

    • Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH): High doses may lead to SIADH, causing hyponatremia and seizures5.

It is important to consult a healthcare provider before using frankincense, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications, as it may interact with certain drugs16.

Combination Therapies

Combination therapies involving frankincense have been explored for their enhanced anticancer effects.

Here are some key findings:

  1. Frankincense and Myrrh Combination:

    • Studies have shown that combining frankincense and myrrh results in synergistic anticancer effects. This combination has been effective against breast cancer cells and multiple myeloma cells by modulating pathways involved in tumour growth and inflammation37.

    • The combination enhances anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which can be beneficial in managing cancer-related symptoms37.

  2. Frankincense with Conventional Chemotherapies:

    • While specific studies on combining frankincense with conventional chemotherapies are limited, its potential to enhance the efficacy of these treatments is suggested by its ability to induce apoptosis and inhibit cancer cell proliferation12.

    • Boswellic acids, key components of frankincense, have been shown to modulate various signalling pathways that could complement chemotherapy24.

  3. Essential Oils Combinations:

    • Frankincense essential oil, when combined with other essential oils like pine needle and geranium, has demonstrated antitumor effects by modulating the AMPK/mTOR pathway5. This combination may offer a promising approach for breast cancer treatment.

These combination therapies highlight the potential for frankincense to be used in conjunction with other natural compounds or conventional treatments to enhance its anticancer effects. However, more research is needed to fully understand the efficacy and safety of these combinations in clinical settings.

Quality of Life Effects

The quality of life impact for cancer patients taking frankincense can be multifaceted, considering both its potential therapeutic benefits and its role as a complementary therapy:

Potential Benefits

  1. Symptom Management:

    • Frankincense may help alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatment, such as pain, anxiety, and stress, through aromatherapy or topical application28.

    • It can potentially reduce inflammation and improve overall well-being, which is crucial for maintaining quality of life during cancer treatment.

  2. Anticancer Effects:

    • Studies suggest that frankincense can inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis, which might slow tumour progression and improve prognosis137.

    • This could lead to better management of cancer-related symptoms and potentially improve survival rates.

  3. Holistic Well-being:

    • Frankincense has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and stress-relieving properties, which can contribute to improved mental and emotional well-being during cancer treatment26.

Answers to all your questions

We’ve done our best to include as much information as possible for this supplement. 

If you have any other questions, please send us a message or join our Skool Group and ask our knowledgeable and friendly community.

Frankincense is widely available as a dietary supplement in many countries, with regulation varying by region. Warriors should purchase from reputable sources.

Current literature does not specify which cancer warriors may most benefit from Frankincense, indicating a need for more targeted clinical studies.

Current research on resistance mechanisms to Frankincense in cancer cells is limited. Future investigations are needed to explore how cancer cells may develop resistance to boswellic acids.

Numerous preclinical studies have investigated Frankincense’s effects on various cancer cell lines and animal models, demonstrating mechanisms like apoptosis induction and anti-inflammatory effects. However, conclusions cannot be directly translated to clinical efficacy.

To obtain the most up-to-date information on active clinical trials investigating Frankincense for cancer treatment, please refer to ClinicalTrials.gov.

Research has identified several pathways and mechanisms through which frankincense exerts its anticancer effects, which could indirectly relate to genetic markers:

  1. Pathways and Mechanisms:

    • Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Regulation: Frankincense induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells, which involves genes responsible for these processes7.

    • AMPK/mTOR Pathway: Activation of AMPK and inhibition of mTOR signalling are crucial for frankincense’s anticancer effects, particularly in breast cancer cells4.

    • Wnt/β-catenin Signalling: In liver cancer, frankincense and myrrh inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which is involved in tumor progression2.

  2. Potential Genetic Markers:

    • While specific genetic markers have not been identified, genes involved in these pathways (e.g., AMPK, mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin) could potentially serve as markers for responsiveness to frankincense treatment.

Further research is needed to explore how genetic variations in these pathways might influence the efficacy of frankincense in cancer therapy.

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Inducing Apoptosis

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a natural process where cells self-destruct when they are damaged or no longer needed. This is crucial for maintaining healthy tissues and preventing diseases like cancer. 

Drugs and supplements that induce apoptosis help eliminate cancerous cells by triggering this self-destruct mechanism, ensuring that harmful cells are removed without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. 

Understanding and harnessing apoptosis is vital in the fight against cancer, as it targets the root cause of the disease at the cellular level.

Inhibiting Cell Proliferation

Cell proliferation is the process by which cells grow and divide to produce more cells. While this is essential for growth and healing, uncontrolled cell proliferation can lead to cancer.

Drugs and supplements that inhibit cell proliferation help prevent the rapid multiplication of cancerous cells, slowing down or stopping the progression of the disease.

By targeting the mechanisms that drive cell division, these treatments play a vital role in controlling and potentially eradicating cancer.

Targeting Specific Pathways

Cancer cells often hijack specific biological pathways to grow and spread. Drugs and supplements that target these pathways can disrupt the cancer cell’s ability to survive and multiply.

By focusing on the unique mechanisms that cancer cells use, these treatments can be more effective and cause fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies.

Targeting specific pathways is a key strategy in precision medicine, offering a tailored approach to combat cancer at its core.

Angiogenesis Inhibition

Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels form, supplying nutrients and oxygen to tissues. Cancer cells exploit this process to fuel their growth and spread.

Drugs and supplements that inhibit angiogenesis can effectively starve cancer cells by blocking the formation of these new blood vessels.

By cutting off the supply lines that tumors rely on, angiogenesis inhibitors play a crucial role in controlling and potentially shrinking cancerous growths.

Role in Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy harnesses the power of the body’s immune system to combat cancer. By boosting or restoring the immune system’s natural ability to detect and destroy cancer cells, immunotherapy offers a targeted and effective approach to treatment.

Drugs and supplements that support immunotherapy can enhance the immune response, making it more efficient at identifying and attacking cancer cells.

This innovative approach not only helps in treating cancer but also reduces the risk of recurrence, providing a powerful tool in the fight against this disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to the development and progression of cancer.

Drugs and supplements with anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation, thereby lowering the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

By targeting the inflammatory processes, these treatments can help maintain a healthier cellular environment and prevent the conditions that allow cancer to thrive.