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Erica_Shadiac's avatar
Erica_Shadiac
Member
13 years ago

Antioxidants

Two things I've been researching on the Internet - for what it's worth. We must ALWAYS be wary of 'facts' and findings on the web..... Interesting reading but how VALID is the information?? Please do your own research and speak with the professionals caring for you especially your oncologist. I'm just a patient searching for understanding and information. There are not necessarily any ANSWERS as we are all on-going guinea pigs when it comes to dealing with cancer.

Vitamin C

I was in the chemist looking at vitamin and mineral supplements. Chatting with assistant there. I mentioned I take 2000mg of Vit C a day and she was surprised saying she thought you shouldn't take Vit C while on chemo treatment as it can reduce the effectiveness of the chemo drug.

So I was immediately on the web! I wanted to have some understanding and information to take with me to the next session with my oncologist 4 days later.

Yes, I found reference to what the assistant in the chemist was suggesting to me - trials not done on humans. But I found FAR more support for taking Vit C. I'll give you the two links I took to my oncologist - below. My oncologist said there was not enough research done with humans one way or the other and that I could continue if that was my choice. I asked him to put it on my records for future reference - as a guinea pig!

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Antioxidants can stop oxidation in cells. Oxidation can produce free radicals which can produce a chain reaction. Not enough antioxidants can cause oxidation stress and the resulting chain reaction can be damaging to cells and may result in cancers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant

The general sense that I got was that Vit C COULD

  1. increase your general well being and boost your immune system
  2. increase the delivery of chemo drugs into cancer cells
  3. even work as a chemo drug itself (especially when given intravenously)

I have been feeling amazingly well so I believe what I am doing is helping ME. But everyone's cancer type is different so what works for some will not necessarily work for others.

For me - I think I will continue to take 2000mg Vit C indefinitely.

High Doses of Vit C – National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/highdosevitaminc/patient/page2

The Canadian Naturopathic Foundation

http://www.exploreyourhealth.ca/viewpage.cfm?PageID=15

Resveratrol

This is also known for it's antioxidant properties and its use in relation to cancer is also controversial.

It is found in some edible plants but notably in the skins of red grapes - hence the hype about drinking red wine being good for you.

Do your own research to make up your own mind.... The jury is still out for me... Check NEGATIVES as well as positives and for your specific cancer. I'm Hormone negative and Her2 positive. What might NOT work for me may be good for you and vice versa.

Not enough trials have been done but it would seem that again the addition of this to your diet could well be beneficial. Unfortunately you would have to drink dozens of bottles of red wine for effectiveness in relation to cancer. There are supplements available that provide high doses and I have purchased "P99 Resveratrol Capsules" online from www.jingteahc.com.... while I contemplate its potential value. There really isn't any way for me to know for sure whether taking this will make a difference long term or not - always the guinea pig!

As I wade through the research and there are NOT enough trials yet, I found some (like with Vit C it was using MICE not humans) that may not support resveratrol - many articles I find hard to decipher...!!!!!

Review and recommendations on the use of Resveratrol

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi/10.1371/journal.pone.0019881

Dietary grapes ... and mice studies

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23298290

Resveratrol Supplements

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/resveratrol-supplements

A review of pre-clinical studies

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2083123/

Good for Hormone receptor positive

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110929103222.htm

http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20080707/resveratrol-may-prevent-breast-cancer

 

 

6 Replies

  • NaturalBel's avatar
    NaturalBel
    Member
    13 years ago

    During the period of time I was on Chemotherapy I decided to drop any vitamins and took the drugs they gave me.  I went onto my usual Calcium,  Vit D, Fish Oil and Magnesium straight after, plus one course of Multi Vitamins, Swisse.  For me, I spend a lot of money on natural, healthy food, and its a cost factor.  I took a lot of vitamins over the years, because Im still not on any medication since chemotherapy finished, I keep to a minimum.  I think that unless we have blood tests, or have professional guidance, its all just guessing.  Working in Pharmacy for 5 years, they general have very little evidence behind most of  them I found, except Fish Oil, Calcium and the some  others with evidence.  I have noticed a lot of "May help with....May this, may that"  Just my opinion.  I was even warned off the Pro Biotics by my Dad who heard theyre not great for a suppressed immune system, so I do the Ohhhhhh so many opinions, its a tricky one.

  • NaturalBel's avatar
    NaturalBel
    Member
    13 years ago

    During the period of time I was on Chemotherapy I decided to drop any vitamins and took the drugs they gave me.  I went onto my usual Calcium,  Vit D, Fish Oil and Magnesium straight after, plus one course of Multi Vitamins, Swisse.  For me, I spend a lot of money on natural, healthy food, and its a cost factor.  I took a lot of vitamins over the years, because Im still not on any medication since chemotherapy finished, I keep to a minimum.  I think that unless we have blood tests, or have professional guidance, its all just guessing.  Working in Pharmacy for 5 years, they general have very little evidence behind most of  them I found, except Fish Oil, Calcium and the some  others with evidence.  I have noticed a lot of "May help with....May this, may that"  Just my opinion.  I was even warned off the Pro Biotics by my Dad who heard theyre not great for a suppressed immune system, so I do the Ohhhhhh so many opinions, its a tricky one.

  • Erica_Shadiac's avatar
    Erica_Shadiac
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thank you, Annie. I followed the link and can see that there is perhaps a need to rethink boosting antioxidants and taking Vit C while undergoing chemo. My oncologist said it was OK and who knows for sure but perhaps it may be best to wait till chemo is finished. The same would go for Resveratrol in that case too... And I have been looking into other diet changes that involve antioxidants.... Information can be so confusing. Too much. Not enough. Good to be able to get some further information that is recent. Cheers Erica
  • Annie_Gayed's avatar
    Annie_Gayed
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Erica,

    Thanks for your blog post - it certainly raises an interesting discussion about the use of complementary medicines alongside conventional cancer treatment.

    There has been good research conducted to suggest that antioxidants can in fact interfere with chemotherapy, and are best avoided. The AM Program recently interviewed Ian Olver, the CEO of Cancer Council Australia, about the concerns of using antioxidants while undergoing chemotherapy. If you're interested, the article can be found on the AM Program website.

    Given the potential drug interactions that complementary medicines, including vitamin C, can have on breast cancer treatments, we strongly recommend that woman speak with their medical oncologist before starting a complementary medicine.

    Cheers

    ~Annie

     

  • Annie_Gayed's avatar
    Annie_Gayed
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Erica,

    Thanks for your blog post - it certainly raises an interesting discussion about the use of complementary medicines alongside conventional cancer treatment.

    There has been good research conducted to suggest that antioxidants can in fact interfere with chemotherapy, and are best avoided. The AM Program recently interviewed Ian Olver, the CEO of Cancer Council Australia, about the concerns of using antioxidants while undergoing chemotherapy. If you're interested, the article can be found on the AM Program website.

    Given the potential drug interactions that complementary medicines, including vitamin C, can have on breast cancer treatments, we strongly recommend that woman speak with their medical oncologist before starting a complementary medicine.

    Cheers

    ~Annie

     

  • Erica_Shadiac's avatar
    Erica_Shadiac
    Member
    13 years ago

    "The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging" by Mike Geary and Catherine Ebeling



     

    Herbs and Spices 

    • ginger, garlic, coriander, basil, parsley, sage, thyme

    Veggies 

    • chives; all leafy greens - spinach, kale, lettuce, bok choy, cabbage; broccoli, zucchini, peas, cucumbers, asparagus 
    • carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin 
    • peppers, eggplants, beetroot, 
    • mushrooms, chick peas, red onion

    Fruits

    • avocado, tomato
    • lemons, limes, oranges 
    • pineapple, kiwi, apples, pears, apricots, figs, mangos 
    • rockmelon, watermelon
    • blueberries, grapes, blackberries, black cherries, black plums 
    • prunes, dates

    Nuts

    • almonds, pecans, pistachio, peanuts, brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts, macadamia nuts


    • green tea
    • black tea
    • red rooibos tea
    • extra virgin olive oil
    • 85% cocoa chocolate (higher cocoa = reduced sugar)