Fungal Terrain & Cancer: How Fungi, Metabolism, and Immunity Interact

Understanding fungal DNA in cancer tumors, terrain imbalances, antifungal foods, and how metabolism shapes fungal behavior in the body.

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer and the Prevail Protocol. 

 Why Fungi Are Being Found in Human Tumors

Large sequencing studies have confirmed that low-abundance fungal DNA and fungal cells appear across multiple cancer types — including breast, lung, GI, melanoma, and gynecologic tumors. These findings do not indicate infection and do not establish fungi as carcinogens. Instead, they highlight fungi as ecological participants within the tumor microenvironment.

• The Cell pan‑cancer analysis identified cancer‑type-specific fungal signatures, often co-occurring with distinct bacterial communities and immune phenotypes.
• A second Cell study confirmed the presence of fungi in GI and lung tumors and demonstrated associations with immune infiltration, inflammation, and microbial co-localization.
• A 2025 review in Molecular Cancer emphasized that fungi may influence tumor biology through immune modulation, metabolic interactions, and inflammatory signaling, although causality remains unproven.

Clinical framing:
Fungi appear to be context-dependent modulators of the tumor microenvironment, shaped by the host’s metabolic, inflammatory, and immunologic terrain.

 Terrain Conditions That Influence Fungal Behavior

Terrain Conditions That Promote Fungal Persistence

• Elevated glucose and insulin signaling
• Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
• High cortisol and chronic stress
  Test your saliva cortisol levels.
• Poor sleep and circadian disruption
• Low polyphenol and antioxidant intake
• Sedentary lifestyle and low metabolic flexibility
• Low dietary fiber and disrupted gut ecology
  Cancer Food Tactics Outline

Terrain Conditions That Reduce Fungal Advantage

• Stable glucose and insulin dynamics
• Low inflammatory burden
• High intake of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants
• Consistent sleep and circadian alignment
• Stress modulation practices (Therapeutic Breathing for Cancer guide)
• Regular movement and strength training (HIIT for Cancer guide)
• High‑fiber, microbiome‑supportive nutrition

Mechanistic Insights: How Fungi Interact with Tumor Biology

Immune Modulation

Fungal signatures correlate with tumor-associated macrophage phenotypes, neutrophil infiltration, and dendritic cell activation.

Metabolic Crosstalk

Fungi metabolize glucose and lipids, producing byproducts that may affect:

• local acidity
  Measuring urine and saliva pH and blood LDH/LDH levels can provide indirect insight into acidity.
• oxidative stress
• microbial competition
• immune signaling

Microbiome Interactions

Fungi co-localize with bacteria in structured tumor micro‑niches, influencing:

• inflammation
• immune evasion
• metabolic gradients

Beyond Cancer: Other Health Concerns Linked to Fungal Imbalance

Fungal imbalance (not infection) is associated with:

Metabolic Dysfunction

• impaired glucose tolerance
• increased inflammatory cytokines
• altered lipid metabolism
• reduced insulin sensitivity

GI Dysbiosis & Barrier Integrity

• increased intestinal permeability
• altered SCFA production
• mucosal immune activation

Immune Dysregulation

• Th17 activation
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Psoriasis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Autoimmune neuroinflammation (inflammation in the brain, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity‑related inflammation
• Hypertension and endothelial dysfunction (blood vessel dysfunction)
• Cardiovascular risk in autoimmune disease
• chronic low-grade inflammation
• innate immune priming (immune system's first response, preparing for next exposure)

Respiratory & Sinus Ecology

• chronic sinus inflammation
• airway hyperreactivity

Skin & Mucosal Terrain

• dermatitis
• recurrent mucosal irritation

5. Expanded Terrain‑Based Levers Patients Can Influence

Nutrition Strategies That Influence Fungal Ecology

1. Glycemic & Insulin Modulation

Fungi thrive in high-glucose environments.
Terrain‑supportive strategies include:

• lower glycemic load meals (Cancer Food Tactics Outline – Kancer Keto™)
• pairing carbohydrates with protein/fat
• reducing ultra-processed carbohydrates
• time-restricted eating (Timed Eating for Cancer guide)
  
  

2. Polyphenol‑Rich Foods

Polyphenols support microbial balance and immune modulation.
Examples:

• berries
• green tea
• turmeric
• rosemary, oregano, thyme
• cacao
• pomegranate
• cruciferous vegetables
  
  

3. Fiber & Prebiotic Diversity

Supports microbial competition and SCFA production.
Sources:

• flax, chia, hemp seed hearts (Amazon Shopping List)
• onions, garlic, leeks
• asparagus, artichokes
• legumes (as tolerated)
• resistant starch
  
  

4. Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Patterns

• omega–3–rich foods (nuts, seeds, sardines, salmon)
• colorful vegetables
• herbs and spices
• low‑sugar, low‑alcohol intake

Metabolic Strategies That Influence Fungal Terrain

1. Time‑Restricted Eating (TRE)

Supports insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility.

2. Strength Training & Movement

Improves glucose disposal and reduces inflammatory load.

3. Circadian Alignment

• morning light exposure
• consistent sleep/wake times
• avoiding late-night eating
  
  

4. Stress Modulation

Chronic cortisol elevation alters immune balance and fungal ecology.
Supportive practices include:

• breathwork
• meditation
• nature exposure
• structured recovery periods

Expanded Supplement & Botanical Categories

1. Botanicals With Documented Antifungal Activity

These botanicals demonstrate in vitro antifungal activity and may support microbial balance as part of a terrain-focused lifestyle.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Clove and its primary compound eugenol exhibit broad antifungal activity, including effects on:

• cell membrane integrity
• mitochondrial function
• biofilm disruption

Studies show eugenol inhibits Candida species and disrupts fungal enzyme systems.⁴⁵

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic contains allicin, which demonstrates antifungal activity through:

• inhibition of lipid synthesis
• oxidative stress induction
• interference with fungal thiol metabolism

Multiple studies confirm garlic’s activity against Candida and other fungi.⁶⁷

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Rich in carvacrol and thymol, oregano oil shows:

• membrane‑disrupting effects
• biofilm inhibition
• metabolic interference

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Thymol and carvacrol exhibit synergistic antifungal effects, particularly against Candida species.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)

Cinnamaldehyde demonstrates:

• membrane disruption
• mitochondrial interference
• inhibition of fungal ATP synthesis

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Terpinen‑4‑ol shows broad antifungal activity in vitro.

Berberine‑Containing Herbs

(Goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape)
Berberine demonstrates:

• biofilm disruption
• mitochondrial interference
• efflux pump inhibition

Check out OncoAdjunct Pathway #3.

2. Polyphenol Concentrates

• quercetin (Pathway #2)
• EGCG (Pathway #4)
• Curcumin (Pathway #2)
• Resveratrol (Pathway #4)
• pomegranate extract

Support antioxidant capacity and immune balance.

3. Antioxidant Support
   Check with your integrative healthcare team before using these during cancer treatment.

• vitamin C
• NAC (N-Acetylcysteine)
• alpha‑lipoic acid
• glutathione precursors

Designs for Health Supplements

4. Mitochondrial Support Nutrients

• CoQ10
• PQQ
• carnitine
• riboflavin
• magnesium

Designs for Health Supplements

5. Microbiome‑Supportive Nutrients

• prebiotic fibers
• specific probiotics (strain-dependent effects)
  Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic
• postbiotics (e.g., butyrate)

6. Adaptogens & Stress‑Modulating Botanicals

• Ashwagandha (TriGandha)
• rhodiola
• holy basil
• L-theanine

7. Terrain‑Supportive Oils & Lipids

• omega-3 fatty acids
• olive oil polyphenols
• MCT oil

Fungal Terrain and Cancer Summary

The emerging literature suggests:

• Fungi are present in many tumors at low abundance.
• They are not infections and are not proven carcinogens.
• Their presence correlates with immune, inflammatory, and metabolic features of the tumor microenvironment.
• Terrain modulation—nutrition, circadian rhythms, stress, and metabolic stability— indirectly influences fungal ecology by improving host conditions.
• Botanicals such as clove, garlic, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, and berberine-containing herbs demonstrate in vitro antifungal activity, supporting their role in terrain-focused education.
• Fungal imbalance is also associated with metabolic, GI, immune, respiratory, and skin-related concerns, reinforcing the importance of terrain-based strategies.

Educational Use Disclaimer

This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnose conditions, or replace individualized guidance from a licensed healthcare professional. Patients should always consult their medical team before making changes to their diet, lifestyle, supplements, or treatment plan. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Fungal Terrain and Cancer Reference Sources

Narunsky‑Haziza L, Sepich‑Poore GD, Livyatan I, et al.
Pan‑cancer analyses reveal cancer‑type‑specific fungal ecologies and bacteriome interactions. Cell. 2022;185(20):3789‑3806. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2022.09.005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36179670/

Dohlman AB, Klug J, Mesko M, et al. A pan‑cancer mycobiome analysis reveals fungal involvement in gastrointestinal and lung tumors. Cell. 2022;185(20):3807‑3822.e12. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2022.09.015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36179671/

Ding T, Liu C, Li Z. The mycobiome in human cancer: analytical challenges, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic implications. Mol Cancer. 2025;24(1):1‑15. doi:10.1186/s12943‑025‑02227‑8.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39815314/

Marchese A, Barbieri R, Coppo E, et al. Antimicrobial activity of eugenol and essential oils containing eugenol: A mechanistic viewpoint. Crit Rev Microbiol. 2017;43(6):668-689. doi:10.1080/1040841X.2017.1295225 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28346030/  

Pinto E, Vale‑Silva L, Cavaleiro C, Salgueiro L. Antifungal activity of clove essential oil (Eugenia caryophyllata) on Candida, Aspergillus and dermatophyte species.

J Med Microbiol. 2009;58(11):1454‑1462. doi:10.1099/jmm.0.010538‑0.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19589904/

Ankri S, Mirelman D. Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes Infect. 1999;1(2):125‑129. doi:10.1016/S1286‑4579(99)80003‑3.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10594976/

Davis SR. An overview of the antifungal properties of allicin and its potential therapeutic applications. J Nutr. 2006;136(3 Suppl):716S‑725S. doi:10.1093/jn/136.3.716S.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16484550/

Xu Lou, I., Zhou, H., & Wan, H. (2025). The critical role of Th17 cells and IL-17A in autoimmune and inflammation-associated neurological diseases: Mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives. Frontiers in Immunology, 16, 1656422. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1656422