Can cancer patients use bird’s nest?

In recent years, the cancer rate in Vietnam has been increasing rapidly and alarmingly. Up to 50–80% of cancer patients experience weight loss, and 20% of cancer patients die from severe malnutrition.

Therefore, cancer patients need early and active nutritional care to compensate for weight loss, maintain health, and respond better to treatment. Bird’s nest is known as a highly nutritious food and is very good for people recovering from illness or with weak physical conditions.

But whether cancer patients can eat bird’s nest is a question many people wonder about. Today, Pacific Bird’s Nest will explore with you:

The cause of cancer is due to excessive angiogenesis—cells grow beyond the allowed limit because too many blood vessels develop to feed these cells.
There are many foods that stimulate angiogenesis and can cause cancer. On the other hand, there are also products that inhibit this angiogenesis process. From there, we can form a list of foods that cancer patients can use to “starve” cancer cells.

1. Does bird’s nest help ‘starve’ cancer? Should cancer patients use bird’s nest?

According to a study published on Hindawi.com – a reputable journal in science, engineering, and medicine—it was shown that eating a bird’s nest does not promote cancer cell proliferation. Specifically, scientists conducted experiments on two types of cells: normal cells and cancer cells. The results showed that a bird’s nest only stimulates the growth of normal cells and has no effect on cancerous cells. This confirms that bird’s nest is completely safe for cancer patients.

2. Benefits of Bird’s Nest for cancer patients

A study published in the scientific journal NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) under the U.S. National Institutes of Health concluded that:

Bird’s nest significantly reduces chemotherapy-induced intestinal immune damage. The basic mechanism is that a bird’s nest contributes to the increase and activation of B-cells and the secretion of antibodies by these cells. The results show that consuming a bird’s nest for 30 days can reduce intestinal immunosuppression caused by chemotherapy. Therefore, we conclude and suggest that bird’s nest can be used as an adjunct therapy to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

Bird’s nest contains more than 18 types of amino acids, is rich in protein, and has other vitamins and minerals such as serine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, etc. Especially, it contains a high amount of sialic acid, which helps immune cells detect and destroy bad cells.

Cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy suffer great pain, a decline in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, resulting in reduced immunity, poor metabolism, and difficulty in blood clotting for large wounds.

Bird’s nest contains aspartic acid, which aids in muscle tissue growth and cell regeneration, helping to double the number of red blood cells and partially restore the red blood cell count.
Cancer patients often experience symptoms such as nausea, dry mouth, mouth ulcers, difficulty swallowing, and weight loss that reduce appetite. Bird’s nest becomes a smart choice as it helps stimulate appetite and increase nutrient absorption.
The soft texture of bird’s nest is easier for patients to consume. Regular use helps patients absorb essential nutrients, boost cell regeneration, and enhance immunity. With a proper diet and rest, patients can gradually regain their health.

3. Steaming Bird’s Nest for cancer patients

Instead of using pre-steamed bird’s nest available in the market, you should buy dried bird’s nest and steam it yourself to ensure safety and suitability for the patient’s taste, as cancer patients must avoid many types of food.
– Steamed bird’s nest with rock sugar: Steam as usual but use only a small amount of sugar to retain the original flavor of bird’s nest. Sugar intake should be limited for patients.
– Steamed bird’s nest with other ingredients: Goji berries, red dates, chia seeds, pigeon, etc. Depending on the type of cancer, consult with a doctor before combining these ingredients with bird’s nest for the patient. If approved by the doctor, you should steam the bird’s nest and other ingredients separately, and only mix them together when serving to preserve the nutritional value of the dish.

4. Notes: When Giving Bird’s Nest to cancer patients?

• Do not overuse bird’s nest as a supplement for the patient. Use only 3–4 grams per serving and limit to 2–3 times per week. Excessive consumption may overload the digestive system and negatively affect the patient’s health.
• Consume in the morning or 2 hours before bedtime for optimal absorption.
• When combining bird’s nest with other ingredients, consult a doctor beforehand. Do not steam arbitrarily, as many foods may be unsuitable for cancer patients.
• Always encourage and create a comfortable, airy environment for the patient. Maintain light physical activity and a balanced diet as per the doctor’s guidance for the best results.