View the entire Renal Cancer Wellness Plan
Astragalus
- A human cell study demonstrated that astragalus reduced oxidative damage to kidney cells.[23] Pretreatment of animal kidney cells with astragalus before use of chemotherapy on these cells reduced the toxic effect of the chemotherapy without reducing its effectiveness.[24] Astragalus also slowed renal tumor progression in animal studies.
- Suggested dose: Use of standardized extract: 250-500 mg, 3-4 times per day standardized to 0.4% 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy isoflavones; Powdered root: 250 – 500 mg, 3-4 times per day; Tincture (1:5) in 30% ethanol: 20-60 drops, 3 times per day.
Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
- Cat’s claw has historically been used for decades to boost the immune system in the genitourinary systems. As a renal cancer therapy, it may prove useful as it has anti-inflammatory effects in cancer cell lines studies[25]
- Suggested dose: 250-350 mg per day of the ethanolic extract.
Berberine
- Human cell studies showed that co-treatment with berberine extract and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induced cell death in human renal cancer cells.[30] It has also demonstrated positive effects in animal studies with improvement to damaged kidney cells, and in human cell studies.[31],[32]
- Suggested dose: 500 mg, 3 times per day.
Vitamin D3
- A prospective study with a large human cohort found that higher plasma 25(OH)D levels were associated with a statistically significantly lower risk of RCC in men and women.[33] Additionally, research on the circulating vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) suggests a strong protective association observed between higher circulating DBP concentration and renal cancer risk.[34]
- Suggested dose: Suggested dose is that sufficient to raise vitamin D blood levels to >40 ng/mL, which may require 5000 IU per day or more.[35]
