A vegan diet with herbal therapy was used to study glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a type of brain tumor. The diet includes vegetables, legumes, unrefined whole grains, spices, and fruits.
Boswellia serrata (frankincense) is an herb from North Africa, the Middle East and India, used as a tree resin that is medicinal. It has been used as a medicine since the time of Hippocrates and is used in Ayurvedic medicine.
GBM is one of the cancers that have increased activity of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzyme resulting in inflammatory eicosanoids, which stimulate tumor growth and brain edema. Boswellic acids from Boswellia inhibit 5-LO. The vegan diet reduces the fatty acid, arachadonic acid (AA,) that 5-LO needs to produce eicosanoids. AA is mostly of animal source.
CONCLUSION: A clinical study of Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumor treatment by a vegan diet combined with an extract of Boswellia serrata is being done at the Cleveland Clinic.
NOTE: To follow the results of the study: clevelandclinic.org/neuroscience
Summary #116.