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Supplements
Alternative Treatments | Organic | Therapy | MGN
3 | Soy
Because the medical community has not
embraced naturopathy and alternative therapies, statistics on the efficacy
of particular treatments are often hard to come by and leave room for
fraud and doubt. It is our wish that traditional/western medicine would
be more open to complementary therapies and that these would be researched,
studied and covered by insurance! The data overwhelmingly supports
using antioxidants before, during, and after
toxic treatments [chemotherapy and radiation]" (Moss, 2000, p. 102). "Animal
and human studies [have shown that] antioxidants [including vitamin C]
protect the healthy tissue of the patient while allowing the cancer tissue
to become more vulnerable to the damaging effects of chemotherapy and radiation" (Quillin,
2000, p. 2). Although antioxidants appear safe and beneficial to take during
chemotherapy (Diamond et al., 1997, 2000; Falcone, 1996; Prasad
et al., 1994, 1999; Moss, 1992, 2000; Rountree, 2000; Simone, 2000), INFORM
YOUR ONCOLOGIST OF ANY SUPPLEMENTS YOU ARE USING.
Although there are a couple exceptions, the vast majority
of studies of concurrent use of antioxidants or anticancer herbs during
chemo have shown that they (1) enhance the effectiveness of chemo, (2)
protect the body (but not the cancer) against chemo's damaging effects,
(3) diminish the side effects, and/or (4) sometimes prevent cancer cells
from becoming resistant to the chemo drug. Of course, it varies depending
on the particular drug, antioxidant/herb, patient, and other factors.
CAUTION: The information
listed below does NOT constitute medical
advice, and nothing listed below should be viewed as a substitute for
surgery
or medical care. Consult a qualified health practitioner before taking
any supplement or making any dietary change. The following supplements
are helpful for most people with cancer, especially during chemotherapy
(many of them particularly for breast cancer). The most helpful/important
items are CAPITALIZED:
HERBS DURING CHEMOTHERAPY
- CAN-SSIAC (by Crystal Star) or Flor-Essence
- reduces side effects of chemotherapy.
- FU ZHEN (includes Siberian ginseng, maitake, & astragulus).
- Juzentaiho-to (JTT/JT-48) - prevents bone marrow suppression.
- HOXSEY FORMULA
- Astragalus supports immune system during chemotherapy. Astragalus
protects liver against toxic effects of chemo, minimizes side effects
and greatly relieves nausea.
- Siberian Ginseng enhances effectiveness of mutomycin/mitomycin-C
(MMC).
- Milk thistle - enhances effectiveness of chemo and protects liver.
- Schisandra - enhances effectiveness of chemo.
- Echinacea - enhances effectiveness of chemo.
- Kombucha - enhanced patients' immunity and enhanced the effectiveness
of 5-FU and MMF.
- Raspberry leaf - relieves nausea.
- Ginger - calms and relieves nausea.
- Peppermint - relieves nausea and vomiting.
- Horsetail - prevents hair loss.
- Iscador (mistletoe) - enhances immune function in advanced breast
cancer patients & others; reportedly
reduces side effects; take ONLY under medical
recommendation & supervision.
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MUSHROOMS
- MAITAKE (Grifola frondosa) mushroom and D-fraction - in
90% of patients, reduced the following side effects of chemo:
nausea,
vomiting, appetite loss and immune system suppression.
- Coriolus versicolor (PSK) mushroom.
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ENERGIZING HERBS
- Green tea (organic).
- Bee pollen/royal jelly - if you're not allergic and don't have
hay fever.
- Siberian and Korean Ginseng's - 2 of the most energizing and
also anticancer.
- CoQ10 - an enzyme that many cancer survivors swear by.
- Vitamin B-12.
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VITAMINS, MINERALS & ENZYMES
(Please note that many of the supplements
mentioned here may also be recommended for other cancers, but
spirulina may be CONTRAindicated for melanoma.)
- Beta-carotene - prevents mouth sores; spirulina and freshly
juiced carrots are great sources.
- When taking Adriamycin (doxorubicin): Vitamin C reduces the toxicity & enhances
the effects of Adriamycin. Vitamin C can protect normal cells from the damage
caused by free radicals without interfering with the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin
[Adriamycin] against tumors.
- When taking Levodopa methylester (LDME): Vitamin C not only inhibits
[melanoma] tumor growth but enhances LDME's activity and increased survival.
- When taking 5-FU: Sodium-1 and sodium-d ascorbates (forms of
vitamin C) reduce the toxicity of 5-FU; they also enhance
its effectiveness.
- Bleomycin: decrease in neuroblastoma cell growth when combined
with Vitamin C.
- DTIC and Methotrexate: WHEN COMBINED W/OTHER ANTIOXIDANTS, vitamin
C enhances the effectiveness.
- Cisplatin: Vitamin C protects against chromosomal damage done
by cisplatin.
- Vitamin C enhanced the effects of dacarbazine, 5-FU, bleomycin,
and tamoxifen; "a mixture of vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E
showed even more benefit.
- Vitamin E - taking 1600 IU daily for 1 week prior to starting
chemo prevents hair loss and protects against adriamycin-induced
cardiotoxicity. Topical application helps heal mouth
sores.
- Vitamin D.
- Selenium.
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AMINO ACIDS
- L-arginine - taken for 3 days prior to chemo, enhances effectiveness
of chemo - found in almonds.
- N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC) (converted to L-glutathione) - take on
empty stomach - reduces side effects; greatly enhances effects of adriamycin
and cisplatin.
- Inosine - may enhance effects of 5-FU.
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MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLEMENTS
- Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10)/ubiquinone - 100mg reduces heart damage caused
by adriamycin (which depletes CoQ-10). Average dosage 100-300 mg.
- Melatonin - enhances the effects of tamoxifen.
- Chlorella (green algae) - reduces chemotherapy side effects and
strengthens immune system.
- Bovine cartilage - may be synergistic w/some hormone & chemotherapies,
such as 5-FU.
- Noni (juice) - reportedly reduces side effects markedly.
- Shark (NOT cod) liver oil.Transfer Factor Plus has been reported to
reduce the side effects of chemo and reportedly resulted in a 248% increase
in Natural Killer (NK)
Cell Activity. IP6 came in next best after Transfer Factor. For more
info, see www.transferfactor.com.
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LINKS/SOURCES
Items preceded by an asterisk (*) contain additional info on
supplements that are helpful to take during chemo:
- Moss, Ralph W. (1995) "Questioning Chemotherapy", Brooklyn,
NY: Equinox. pp. 156-167, www.ralphmoss.com/dgo2000.html www.whale.to/cancer/chemo.html
- *Falcone, Ron (1996). "Natural Medicine for Breast Cancer",
New York: Dell. See pp. 113-139
- *Moss, Ralph W. (2000). "Antioxidants Against Cancer", New York:
Equinox.
- *Quillin, Patrick, with Quillin, Noreen (1998). "Beating Cancer With
Nutrition" (2nd ed.). Tulsa, OK: Nutrition Times Press.
- Rountree, Robert (May-June, 2000). Herb-Drug Mix. "Herbs for Health",
pp. 26, 29.
- Simone, Charles (2000, June). "Anti-Oxidants with Radiation and Chemotherapy".
Paper presented at CMBM Conference, June 7-11, 2000, Arlington, VA. (for
audiotape, www.conferencerecording.com/newevents/cmb20.htm )
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The information on this page was researched and provided by Leonard Rosenbaum, "honorary
herbalist" for the SURVIVOR group. If you have a question or comment for
him or about this topic, please send an email with "Supplements" in
the subject line.
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