EDUCATION
October 16, 24

Manuka Honey for Colon Cancer

EDUCATION

10 minute read

Essential Takeaways

A number of in-vitro studies have found promising results combining the 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy treatment (5-FU) with Manuka honey in fighting colon cancer. 5-FU is the most common drug used for colon cancer, but its impacts can be limited, and chemoresistance is a particular threat to patients taking this treatment.

Lab studies have found that Manuka honey enhances the ability of 5-FU to shrink and destroy cancer cells, limit their growth and spread, and even reduces the risk of chemoresistance. This evidence is highly specific and based on in-vitro research, but it provides a promising foundation for future research on Manuka honey cancer treatments.

This article explores the findings of three recent studies into using Manuka honey for colon cancer. It is not meant to be used as medical advice. Patients undergoing cancer treatment should always seek tailored medical advice before introducing anything new into their diet or lifestyle. If you decide to use Manuka honey, opt for high-grade, monofloral Manuka honey like ours for the best results.

Disclaimer: This article is based on scientific research into the use of Manuka honey for specific types of colon cancer cells in-vitro (not in the body). It is not meant to be used as general medical advice. If you are considering using Manuka honey as part of your cancer treatment, make sure to consult your physician first.

“An estimated 25–28% of modern medicines used by humanity, including those applied for the treatment of cancers, are directly or indirectly derivatives/compounds obtained from plants or other natural sources.”

- Treating cancers using nature’s medicine: significance and challenges, 2021 study¹.

We have been studying cancer for over 250 years², and yet it remains one of the leading causes of death for people worldwide¹.

Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent types, and although survival rates in the US are improving³, more still needs to be done.

Scientists are testing the combination of pharmaceutical treatments with natural remedies to discover ways to boost efficacy without harming healthy cell tissue.

As a result, known antibacterial and antioxidant sources like Manuka honey have been trialled with in-vitro tests, and they are showing some promising results.

This article examines the studies of Manuka honey for colon cancer: what have they found, and what could this mean for a cancer patient’s journey?

In this guide to Manuka honey for colon cancer:

Key research highlights
A quick overview of colon cancer
The research into Manuka honey and colon cancer
The best Manuka honey to get for colon cancer

Quick note on terminology: we’ll be referring to in-vitro and in-vivo studies in this article.

In-vitro is Latin for “in the glass” and refers to studies conducted in controlled lab environments, outside of a living organism.

In-vivo is Latin for “in the living”, and refers to studies conducted inside a living plant, animal, or person.

Key Research Highlights

Here’s a quick snapshot of the key findings from the three studies we reference in this article.

2018 Study

Manuka honey enhanced 5-FU's oxidative stress on colon cancer cells.¹²
Boosted 5-FU-induced cancer cell destruction (apoptosis).¹²
Improved 5-FU's ability to limit cancer cell spread.¹²
Impacted cancer cell survival processes (mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis).¹²

2021 Study

Manuka honey combined with 5-FU decreased the size and density of cancer cell clusters.¹⁴
Increased cancer cell death in these clusters.¹⁴
Decreased inhibitors that block cancer cell destruction.¹⁴

2023 Study

Manuka honey combined with 5-FU decreased the expression of proteins associated with chemoresistance.²²
Impaired cancer cells' ability to multiply and spread.²²
Identified specific compounds in Manuka honey (pinocembrin, quercetin, naringenin) that may contribute to these effects.²²

Continue reading for more detailed information on these studies, how Manuka honey may help with chemotherapy side effects, and guidance on choosing the right Manuka honey.

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Colon Cancer: A Quick Overview

The colon is the longest part of the large intestine, responsible for removing water, nutrients, and electrolytes from our food as we digest⁴.

The solid waste material left behind moves through the colon to the rectum where it is stored before leaving the body via the anus.

The colon and rectum are together referred to as the bowel. Cancers of both these organs are often grouped together and termed colorectal cancer⁵. It’s important to remember that they are different, and in this article, we will be focusing on colon cancer specifically.

Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas. This cancer affects the cells that line the walls of the colon⁵.

Other types include⁵:

Carcinoid tumours which start in hormone-producing cells.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours which are usually found in soft tissues in the gastrointestinal tract (like muscle and nerves, for example⁶). These are rare in the colon but can be present in connective tissues or blood vessels.

Lymphoma which is a cancer of the immune system. It usually starts in the lymph nodes but can begin in the colon.

The findings we’re sharing here are focused on colon adenocarcinoma treatment and research.

Like other cancer types, the pharmaceutical treatment for colon cancer depends on its stage (the extent of its growth) in the body⁷.

Stages range from 0 (the cancer is just within the inner lining of the colon and can be removed), to stage 4 (the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and a more invasive treatment regimen will be required).

The pharmaceutical interventions for colon cancer are usually cytotoxic drugs: radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery⁸.

These can be effective, but they do come with some drawbacks⁹:

A huge range of unpleasant side effects such as nausea, hair loss, fatigue, sores, gastric upset and hypersensitivity - among other things.
The potential for long-term damage to the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Growing resistance to the body accepting these therapies¹⁰. This is a particular problem for colon cancer patients.

As a result of these drawbacks, research continues into better prevention and treatment methods using natural as well as synthetic components.

And we’re seeing some positive results.

“Combining chemotherapy with other compounds, including natural ones, shows promise in enhancing effectiveness while minimising side effects.”

- Manuka honey's anti-metastatic impact on colon cancer stem-like cells, 2024 study¹¹.

What naturally kills colon cancer cells?

A clinical review of studies (both in-vitro and in-vivo) found that natural remedies like grapes, soybean, green tea, garlic, olive, pomegranate⁸, and Manuka honey indicated various anti-colon cancer mechanisms.

Some of these were used in combination with traditional treatments, and many more in-vivo studies are needed before they could claim to be effective alternatives to conventional treatment.

Does Manuka honey help colon cancer?

A range of studies suggest that Manuka honey enhances the effects of 5-fluorouracil, the most commonly used form of chemotherapy used in colon cancer (adenocarcinoma) treatment.

Manuka honey has also been found to reduce resistance to this drug, which is one of the greatest threats to patients undergoing chemotherapy¹².

As a result, it may benefit patients who are undergoing treatment to incorporate pure, raw Manuka honey into their lives. Manuka honey is not a replacement for chemotherapy and traditional forms of treatment. Make sure to seek the advice of a trained specialist first.

Let’s dig deeper into the specific research and evidence for using Manuka honey for colon cancer.

The Research Into Manuka Honey for Colon Cancer

Whilst cytotoxic treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy have come a long way, they still pose a risk to healthy tissue, they can trigger a build up of resistance in the body, and they can cause nasty side effects¹³.

We still need better prevention strategies and more types of effective (but gentle) treatments, so scientists are researching natural remedies and how they might be used in conjunction with pharmaceuticals to boost effectiveness without extra harm.

With its established reputation for potent antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s no surprise that Manuka honey has been studied for anticancer activity.

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How Manuka honey can make chemotherapy treatment more effective

The most common treatment for colon cancer (adenocarcinoma) is 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)¹⁴. It is administered intravenously and works by blocking cell division and replication¹⁵, preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

The efficacy of 5-FU when used in isolation for cancer patients is limited, and although this increases when other drugs are introduced, toxicity levels also increase for patients¹⁶.

Chemoresistance is also a serious problem with 5-FU¹².

“The development of chemo-sensitizers is urgently needed to overcome 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapeutic resistance and adverse toxicity in colorectal cancer.”

- Manuka honey synergistically enhances the chemopreventive effect of 5-fluorouracil on human colon cancer cells, 2018 study¹².

This 2018 study assessed the effects of using Manuka honey with 5-FU on human colon cancer cells in-vitro (cell lines HCT-116¹⁷ and LoVo).

It found that¹²:

Manuka honey enhanced the oxidative stress caused by 5-FU on colon cancer cells, weakening and damaging them.

Manuka honey boosted 5-FU-induced apoptosis (cell destruction).

Manuka honey improved the anti-metastatic effects of 5-FU by controlling the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and EMT markers. This limits the spread of cancer cells to healthy tissue.

The combination of 5-FU and Manuka honey also impacted mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis, two important processes for cancer cells to survive and spread¹⁸.

Building on these findings, a 2021 study assessed the physical impacts of Manuka honey with 5-FU on colonospheres (floating spheroids of cancer stem-like cells¹⁹).

This newer technique aimed to better mimic how cells could behave in-vivo, and targets those that are responsible for chemoresistance.

It found that the combination of Manuka honey and 5-FU¹⁴:

Decreased the physical parameters of colonospheres, including mass, density, weight, and diameter.
Increased the number of apoptotic cells (those destroying the cancer cells), and dead cells in the colonospheres.
Decreased many of the apoptotic inhibitors that block the important cell death process needed to destroy cancer cells.

A 2023 study found similar results. The combination of Manuka honey and 5-FU decreased the expression of ABCG2 and TYMS (two proteins associated with chemoresistance²⁰,²¹). It also impaired the ability of the cancerous cells to multiply and spread.

You might be wondering whether we know what’s in Manuka honey that gives it these anti-cancer benefits.

Scientists suggest that the antioxidant properties of Manuka honey, as well as its phenol and polyphenol content, are the likely candidates. Research has found direct links:

“Some of these [phenolic] compounds, in particular pinocembrin, quercetin and naringenin have been observed to be direct moderators of the ABCG2 extrusion pump while quercetin was found to downregulate TYMS expression and to modulate some key genes of the pathways involved in the self-renewal of CSCs.”

- Can the phenolic compounds of Manuka honey chemosensitise colon cancer stem cells? A 2023 study.

It is important to note that these studies test a specific type of Manuka honey (this was UMF™ 15+, which we’ll explore more later) against specific cells in a lab environment. Results are exciting, but more in-vivo evidence is needed.

So what do these findings mean for colon cancer patients today?

Using Manuka honey alongside their 5-FU treatment regimen may help to boost its effects, reduce the risk of chemoresistance, and all without extra harmful side effects.

There’s a lot to take in when it comes to researching Manuka honey for cancer and other medical applications.

If you’d like more scientific studies on this subject, this helpful 2024 review of the functional ingredients of Manuka honey brings much of this evidence together and is a useful reference point for this powerful natural product.

“Based on the evidence from in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies, multifunctional bioactive compounds of MH have exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities.”

- An updated review of the functional ingredients of Manuka honey and their value-added innovations, 2024 review.

How Manuka honey may help relieve chemotherapy side effects

Chemotherapy can be tough on your body, and its side effects may be another area where Manuka honey can help.

From strengthening the immune system to increasing energy, easing sore throats, reducing gastric reflux, and helping scars to heal, it offers versatile health benefits.

Here’s how some of our customers have got on.

“I use the honey for my overall health, however I have purchased this honey for 2 of my friends going through chemotherapy and it has helped reduce side effects and both are in remission.” - Gerald M., verified buyer | UMF™ 26+ | MGO 1282+

“It was recommended that I use this honey in a homemade mixture to sooth my hands damaged by cancer treatments. It worked beautifully! My hands have never been so smooth and soft. The skin stopped peeling and my hands do not hurt anymore.” - Roberta D., verified buyer | UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+

“I used it for chemotherapy cancer treatment - [it's] very good [for] preventing inflammation.” - Titien, verified buyer | UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+

“My daughter is battling stage 4 cancer, we have been using it for acouple of weeks. It has improved her appetite.” - Anonymous, verified buyer | UMF™ 28+ | MGO 1450+

“I love the taste of this high grade Manuka Honey, but more than the taste I love the help it gives me with digestive problems after long series of chemo & radiation!” - Vera S., verified buyer | UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+

“This honey is great, it has antibacterial properties and works for my fungal nail infections I get from chemotherapy. Better than any cream from over the counter.” - Anonymous, verified buyer | UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+

The Best Manuka Honey for Colon Cancer

It’s important when looking for Manuka honey to opt for a high UMF™ grade.

This will ensure you get an authentic product with the best potency of antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as those important phenols and polyphenols.

You may remember that the honey used in one study was specified as UMF™ 15+? This refers to the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF™) grading system, the most rigorous independent test for authentic Manuka honey in the world.

It tests for specific markers in a batch which indicate its botanical origin (it must be monofloral Manuka honey from New Zealand), antibacterial potency (its levels of methylglyoxal, the primary antibacterial component), and freshness.

The higher the UMF™ grade, the more potent the honey.

(You’ll notice that the customer testimonials we quoted above all opted for UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+ or higher and experienced positive results).

By choosing a high UMF™-grade Manuka honey like ours, you can be sure that you’re getting the real deal.

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If you’re still unsure which grade is right for you, take our quick quiz.