Exploring the Link Between pH Balance, Nutrient Buffering, and the Tumor Microenvironment

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

Acidic Terrain: How pH Influences Cancer Risk and Progression

Cancer doesn’t grow in a vacuum—it thrives in environments shaped by metabolism, inflammation, and cellular stress. One of the most overlooked yet critical factors? pH balance. While blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45, other body compartments, including the tumor microenvironment, can become significantly more acidic. This shift isn’t just a biochemical quirk; it may actively promote cancer growth, immune evasion, and treatment resistance.

Acidic Microenvironments and Cancer Progression

Cancer cells often rely on aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect), producing lactic acid even in the presence of oxygen. This leads to a localized drop in extracellular pH, often reaching 6.5–6.9 i...

Exploring the Mechanism, Promise, and Research Behind This Selective Anti-Cancer Agent

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

PNC-27 and Cancer Introduction

PNC-27 is an investigational anticancer peptide derived from the tumor suppressor protein p53. Unlike conventional chemotherapeutics that broadly target dividing cells, PNC-27 selectively binds to cancer cells expressing HDM-2 (also known as MDM2) on their outer membranes. This unique mechanism has sparked interest in its potential to induce rapid, necrotic cell death while sparing healthy tissue. Though not FDA-approved, PNC-27 represents a novel class of membrane-targeting peptides with implications for integrative oncology and terrain-based care.

PNC-27 Cancer Mechanism of Action

PNC-27 contains a p53-derived binding domain that targets HDM-2, a protein overexpressed on the surface of many cancer cells. Upon binding, PNC-27 inser...

Evidence-Based Insights into Zinc’s Anticancer Mechanisms, Clinical Applications, Testing Methods, and Supplementation Strategies

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

Zinc is an essential micronutrient that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as in gene transcription. This micronutrient is critical for numerous physiological processes, including reproduction, immune function, and wound healing. At the cellular level, zinc is indispensable for the normal function of the immune system’s macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and the complement system. Zinc is a micronutrient, so it is not well stored in the body and has to be frequently replenished.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in hundreds of biological processes that sustain cellular health, immune resilience, and metabolic balance. It serves as a cofactor for over 3...

Explore the science behind Akkermansia muciniphila—its role in cancer treatment, immune health, and how to support its function naturally.

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, retired pharmacist, and founder of Prevail Over Cancer.

What is Akkermansia muciniphila?

Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading bacterium that resides in the gut’s mucus layer. It plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, improving immune responses, and influencing metabolic health. Its presence has been linked to improved outcomes in cancer therapy, metabolic disorders, and immune regulation.

A decline in Akkermansia muciniphila abundance correlated with the development of intestinal inflammation, colorectal cancer, and even cognitive disorders such as depression and anxiety.[i]

How Akkermansia Supports Cancer Treatments

1.  Akkermansia muciniphila and Chemotherapy: Enhancing Efficacy Through Microbial Synergy

Emerging evidence sugges...

Soaking walnuts may sabotage your body’s ability to produce Urolithin A—a gut-derived compound with powerful anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial energy benefits. Here’s what science says and how to compensate.

Researched and Written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer

In the evolving landscape of integrative oncology and precision nutrition, few compounds have sparked as much interest as Urolithin A (UA)—a gut-derived metabolite with compelling anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial-enhancing properties. Let’s unpack what it is, how it’s made, and how to harness its full potential.

What Is Urolithin A and Where Does It Come From?

Urolithin A is not found directly in food. Instead, it’s a postbiotic—a compound produced by your gut microbiota when they metabolize ellagitannins, polyphenols found in:

• Pomegranates
• Walnuts
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Pecans

Once consumed, ellagitan...

Discover how maitake mushrooms support immune function, enhance chemotherapy outcomes, and fit into integrative cancer care—backed by peer-reviewed research and practical dosing strategies.

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

Maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) have long been revered for thousands of years in natural traditional medicine. Still, modern science is now catching up—revealing potent anticancer properties that make them a compelling addition to integrative oncology protocols. From strengthening the body's defense system against cancer (immune modulation) to increasing the potency of chemotherapy drugs (synergy with chemotherapy), maitake’s bioactive compounds have been spotlighted in both clinical trials and laboratory studies published in peer-reviewed literature. This growing body of research demonstrates how maitake may play a multifaceted role in integrative cancer care. T...

Learn which cancers are linked to low magnesium, how it impacts pain, sleep, immunity, and the form I trust most.

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

Flashier nutrients in discussions about cancer often overshadow magnesium, yet it plays a foundational role in cellular health, immune regulation, and metabolic balance. Emerging research reveals that magnesium deficiency may not only increase cancer risk but also impair recovery, worsen treatment side effects, and disrupt quality of life. Let’s explore the science behind magnesium’s anticancer benefits—and why it deserves a central place in integrative oncology.

Magnesium’s Role in Cancer Biology

Magnesium is a cofactor in over 600 enzymatic reactions, including DNA repair, RNA synthesis, and ATP production. It regulates oxidative stress, inflammation, and calcium signaling—all of which are tightly linked to cancer development and progress...

Microplastics - Meet Your Match!

A Deep Dive into Fiber, Beta-Glucans, Herbs, Binders, and Probiotics That Help Remove Microplastics from the Body

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

Microplastics: The Invisible Threat Inside Us

Microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size—are no longer just an environmental concern. They’ve infiltrated our food, water, air, and even our bodies. Recent studies estimate that the average person consumes tens of thousands of microplastic particles annually, with some estimates reaching over 100,000 particles per year through food and beverages alone.

These particles don’t just pass through harmlessly. Research shows they can:[i]

• Cross the intestinal barrier into the body
• Trigger chronic inflammation
• Disrupt hormonal signaling
• Generate oxidative stress
• Potentially contribute to carcinogenesis through DNA damage and immune dysregulation
...

From Glucose and Ketones to Genetics and Toxins—Why Testing Beats Guessing in Cancer Prevention and Metabolic Therapy

Written and researched by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and founder of Prevail Over Cancer

What if the most dangerous cancer risks aren’t visible on a scan or felt in the body—but quietly building in your blood, urine, and genes?

In cancer care, guessing is gambling. Symptoms can be vague, and even “clean” imaging doesn’t mean the terrain is safe. That’s why lab testing isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. From glucose and ketones to hormone metabolites and heavy metals, these biomarkers reveal the biochemical landscape cancer cells exploit—and the ones we can disrupt.

Whether you're navigating active treatment, remission, or prevention, here’s a breakdown of the tests I recommend most often for clients—and why they matter.

The following tests are part of what I help clients with and are not a comprehensive list. It is essenti...

Improving Your Natural Killer (NK) Cell Function:
Your Immune System's Frontline Warriors Against Cancer

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

Natural Killer (NK) cells are a vital component of our innate immune system, acting as the body's first line of defense against cancerous and virally infected cells.[i] Unlike other immune cells, NK cells can recognize and eliminate abnormal cells without prior sensitization, making them crucial in the early detection and control of tumors.[ii]

Natural Killer (NK) cells are a special kind of white blood cell that belongs to a group called lymphocytes, which help defend your body. They make up about 5–15% of your lymphocytes in the bloodstream[iii]. Unlike other immune cells like T cells and B cells, which need to “learn” what to attack, NK cells are part of your body’s fast-acting, built-in defense system. They can quickly recognize and attack vi...