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Supplement Use During Treatment For Cancer
During conventional treatment for cancer, including chemotherapy and radiation, people often wonder if nutrients found in food and supplements will help them to overcome the disease more easily and heal more quickly. However, many medical professionals advise against the use |
of supplements, fearing that they may interact with the treatment and reduce its effectiveness or have other contraindications. In some cases, this is a valid concern.
However, there are a number of vitamins, minerals and amino acids which have been scientifically proven to be beneficial during chemotherapy and radiation. Studies have shown that antioxidants used by patients, with or without chemotherapy and radiation, have many benefits. Patients have been noted to tolerate standard treatment better, experience less weight loss, have a better quality of life and, most importantly, live longer than patients receiving no supplements. In a recent seminar at Goodness Me!, Dr. Laura Margaritis, ND, discussed the following nutrients and relevant research. A brief summary follows:
There is no in vivo (animal/human studies) evidence suggesting that the following nutrients decrease the effect of chemotherapy:
Vitamin C
Vitamin E complex
Selenium
Coenzyme Q10
Melatonin
There is no in vivo evidence suggesting that the following nutrients decrease the effect of radiotherapy:
Coenzyme Q10 (at commonly used doses)
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
There are only three presently-known examples in which an antioxidant has been shown to decrease the effect of radiation or chemotherapy in vivo:
Flavonoids (tangeretin, genistein) with tamoxifen
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) with doxorubicin
Beta-carotene with 5-fluorouracil
Green tea with bortezomib
The following have been shown to increase the effect of radiation:
Vitamin C
Melatonin
The following have been shown to induce apoptosis (cell death):
Vitamin E (in experimental tumour lines)
Melatonin
References: “Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy: Their Actions and Interactions with Oncologic Therapies”, Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 4, Number 5, 1999. Davis Lamson, MS, ND and Matthew Brignall, ND.
“Antioxidants and Cancer Therapy II: Quick Reference Guide”, Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 5, Number 2, 2000. Davis Lamson, MS, ND and Matthew Brignall, ND
Homeopathic remedies alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy
Some common homeopathic remedies can be very helpful to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
Cadmium sulphur 30C – take before and immediately after chemo to reduce nausea, vomiting, hair loss and fatigue.
Ipecac 30C – for those experiencing constant nausea not relieved by vomiting.
Nux vomica 30C – when the side effects include stomach cramps, vomiting, constipation, irritability and chills.
Arsenicum album 30C – side effects include burning pains, vomiting and diarrhea with burning, watery stools. Feeling restless and anxious.
Homeopathic remedies (and other nutritional supplements) used during cancer therapy should only be taken under the advice of a qualified Naturopathic or Homeopathic physician, and Medical Doctor, who are both familiar with your health history and aware of the specific conventional treatments being used to treat your cancer.
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