Antioxidants And Chemotherapy

[handicap18]

From LifeExtension Magazine's webs site: Integrative Medicine: Antioxidants And Chemotherapy
also published in the Sacramento Bee yesterday (6/8/12)

"In a recent article in the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Dr. Keith Block, a renowned integrative cancer specialist affiliated with the University of Illinois, discussed his review of more than 2,300 studies on the use of antioxidants during chemotherapy, and his report is very reassuring.

In summary, antioxidants often help to reduce side effects from chemotherapy, and this may allow patients to complete their full course of medication without interruption, which itself leads to better outcomes. Certain antioxidants also enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy, reduce long-term toxicity and improve survival."

"So if you are affected by cancer, what should you be thinking about to protect yourself during and after chemotherapy? First and foremost, begin by eating a super-healthful, plant-based diet that is loaded with dark-colored fruits and veggies so that you maximize your intake of antioxidants from your food, which is the most powerful way to get them.
Not a single study reviewed by Block showed any evidence of antioxidants interfering with the effectiveness of chemotherapy."

http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.ht ... DHB_120609

[disco nap]

Dr. Block also wrote the book "Life Over Cancer" which is really good if you're looking to learn more on integrative approaches to cancer.

[Badass]

Hi Kyle,
Thanks for posting. This issue is close to my heart and one I struggle with. I have Dr. Block's book and was really inspired by it. It is a well written and thorough book but I have to say also has that slight tone of self-promotion that raises my red flag, albeit at half-mast. I believe he is sincere and the book seems well-researched but I also take what he says with a few grains of salt as he has his own institute which he constantly references and has built his career on promoting his own cancer/nutrition theory. I don't see that he has ever published in an established peer-reviewed journal (but I could be wrong about that). I am really torn about this issue and he did not settle it for me. That said, the other piece is that with the kind of cancer we have, it is hard at various treatment stages to eat whole grain and raw fruits and veggies, which is a frustration. I have settled this for now with my Vitamix blender which allows me to eat raw greens even with an ileostomy. But now that I am back on chemo, I can't eat or drink cold things and I am worried about the anti-oxident factor. Dr. Block is a wealth of information but I have also read other things that suggest the jury is still out on this one. I would really be interested in other viewpoints or resources.

Jane

[Suze]

I read the article, and it said what my onc. says. It is good to eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies, but talk to your doctor or oncology pharmatist before taking supplements. You can't eat too much broccoli, but it is very easy to mega-dose with pills, and there is a risk that too much of a good thing can interfer with chemo. Susan

[sadysue]

I agree with rusuja on Dr. Block's book, which I have read only partially. I too feel it's self-promotional which IMO detracts from some of the good advice he offers. If you're really good at what you do, there is no need to keep patting yourself on your back. For those of us who have to live with an ileostomy for months or years, eating healthy is not always an option. I always ate healthy foods prior to rectal cancer. After my dx and I was given the ileostomy, healthy foods were the very last things I could eat - "junk" food was easier to digest and never caused me pain. I had to go back to eating white bread, white pasta, white rice - and no fruits or veggies ever. Fatty foods also agreed with me and were easily digested. Eating "junk" really grossed me out but it was the only way I could get through the past year. So although Dr. Block's book contains some excellent info, his plan is not universally solid for every cancer patient.

[Ashlee H.]

Gentle Warning: If you are new on your cancer journey, please run everything past your doctors. Don't just read about something here and decide to try it on your own.

I'm all for sharing information. I have nothing against alternative treatments. But, I have to agree with Rusuja and Sadysue that Dr. Block seems self promoting, even naming his business the "Block Center". There are so many types of cancer. We are all involved with colorectal cancer. Fruits and veggies were the last things my body could handle for a very long time. I was told not to increase my antioxidants while on chemo. Doesn't mean I couldn't have any. Some of your doctors might say it is fine...but you need to ask your doctor. And, although I know where you were coming from Suze, "can't eat too much broccoli" isn't true - especially for those of us on blood thinners. So, something as simple as broccoli needs to be run by your medical team. We aren't all on the same medication.

I've had friends with radiation for breast cancer, and they were told specifically no antioxidants. Now, I know radiation is not chemo.....but how many here have had a combo of radiation and chemo? Would be a shame to build up the cancer cells with antioxidants when you are trying to fry them.

I'm not posting to argue with anyone. You can freely disagree with me. I do not want to have to have a debate regarding what I have posted. I am just concerned that some people may be doing more harm than good if they read something here and do it because it sounds harmless but helpful.

-Ashlee

[jennyjojjr]

Fruits/veggies have always been a stimulant for me d/t crohns and now after surgery. I am on the white diet too. I'm interested to know how many of you are also avoiding fruits and vegtables in order to limit diahrrea and abdominal discomfort. Seems like after a radical resection especially on the right colon more would be having bathroom issues.

[handicap18]

Good points by all. I haven't read his book. Dont know if I will or won't. I don't know much about him.

I was also told the same about no antioxidants while on radiation, but this article isn't about people on radiation.

As has already been said, run things by your own onc.

I will say, that for me, my energy level has increased dramatically since I started juicing. I use a lot of green veggies. Each chemo treatment has gotten better for me, energy wise. Will it work for everyone? I have no idea. Its not for me to say. I can only say what works for me. Obviously everyone is different. Go with what works for you.

The more you know, the better. Even if it doesn't work for your situation at least you have some additional knowledge. Maybe it will trigger you to find something else.

[Guinevere]

I've been told specifically not to take anything with antioxidants in it. What I get from my diet is fine but that's it. As others have said, ask the onc.

[NWgirl]

I've received two different opinions on antioxidants. My oncologist said to limit them; though he only brought it up when I asked the question first. My Nutritionist, who is not a medical doctor, but has worked in her field for 30+ years, believes in supplementing with antioxidants - but only minimally; and not the day before, the day of or the day following my chemo infusion of Avastin (which I've been taken off now anyway). She has worked with many cancer patients over the years with great success and the supplements she has put me on (with my oncologist's approval), really have helped my overall feeling of well being.

So I have conflicting opinions. I follow my oncologist's directions, but it's heading into berry season here in the northwest - more like berry heaven. Suffice it to say I'm not going to exclude fresh berries from my diet; but I'll avoid any additional supplements, per my doctors instructions.

[prtza]

I've been told specifically not to take anything with antioxidants in it. What I get from my diet is fine but that's it. As others have said, ask the onc.

My onc told me not to take any supplemental vitamin C

[Bob_Weiss]

I had been told to stay away from anti-oxident supplements while in treatment because there is a possibility that they would interfere in a negative way. The theory is that anti-oxidents protect cells and prevent cell damage, which might apply to the cancer cells also. Therefore, the treatment will have interference from anti-oxidents in trying to damage and kill the cancer. I was impressed that NCI takes this theory seriously, because they are presently conducting a clinical trial to determine if anti-oxidents do impede treatment. (PS: I know nothing about the doctor mentioned above.)

[handicap18]

Regarding Supplements: American's spend $18.7 billion per year on dietary supplements despite limited and inconclusive scientific evidence of effectiveness in disease prevention and treatment. Also, based on reports from restaurants and grocers: We throw away more than 11 billions pounds of fruits and vegetable a year in the U.S.!!!

The only supplement I take is Vitamin D3. I've had a number of people ask me about additional supplements I take, especially anti-oxidants. They are surprised when I say I don't take anything. I get mine from organic fruits and vegetables. I started juicing after seeing a few different segments on TV (not infomercials, but news reports on network news stations) about juicing for cancer patients. After looking into it more and talking my with onc, it made sense for me. I still have my main tumor in my rectum and my onc was VERY concerned with blockage. She suggested staying away from lots of high fiber stuff. When I mention juicing she liked the idea as juicing does separate the insoluble fiber from the everything else. I'm removing the insoluble fiber that would go through my digestive system, but keeping all the soluble fiber and all the other phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. So the insoluble fiber either goes in my compost pile, my garden, occasionally made into garden burgers for my wife or sister (only done that a few times) or down the garbage disposal. My digestion has actually improved. The only time I've gotten diarrhea is when I've eaten regular white bread or regular processed pasta (especially Kraft Mac N Cheese) and I've had no constipation. So I've been sticking to whole grain wheat bread and pasta when I do have that stuff which is only a few times a week at most.

I would assume that someone who has had surgery to remove parts of their digestive track that they have other issues to deal with and it will compromise the digestive system in their body. I think its obvious that you should be in contact with your surgeon, oncologist and nutritionist to go over your specific diagnosis. I have had conversations with a few people who were told no fiber because of their surgery, but were told that soluble fiber was ok. YRMV.

As for natural vs supplemental anti-oxidants: is there a difference? has there been specific studies about this. If there are scientific studies that are inconclusive about supplements then maybe there is. I have seen studies that say countries that eat lot of natural fruits and veggies have much much lower rates of all kids of diseases compared to countries like the US who you would think with all the knowledge and money that would have better health, but actually have a high rate of diseases. Over the next 2 weeks I'll be seeing my oncologist, primary care Dr. and nutritionist. I'm going to ask their opinion based on the reports they've seen.

None of this guarantee's anything. As the cliche goes, the only things in life that are guaranteed are death and taxes.

[prtza]

[quote="handicap18"]As for natural vs supplemental anti-oxidants: is there a difference? has there been specific studies about this./quote]

I think the difference is quantity. It is easy to take too much vit.C for example by popping high dosage e.g. 1000mg tablets, whereas one can only ingest so much in one's food. An average orange contains 70mg vitamin C (according to google) i.e. 1000mg= 14 oranges.

[prtza]

PS In my case my onc said that I should eat "normally", but that I shouldn't take extra vitamin C tablets.