Xeloda and folate?

[lpas]

So I've read several places that folic acid is an important nutrient to take for the prevention/treatment of colon cancer, but I also see that folic acid is contraindicated in those who take Xeloda, as it may increase toxicity. Does anyone know whether L-5-MTHF (folate) is safe to take during chemo as a substitute? Or should this form be avoided as well? I know that I'm heterozygous for the MTHFR mutation, so am probably somewhat folic acid deficient. The L-5-MTHF is what my ob/gyn recommended during pregnancy.

Thanks so much.

[Redtexa5]

You need to run this by your Oncologist along with any other supplements, vitamins, and etc that you want to take during chemo. You are paying for this expertise use it not the opinion of a bunch of random people on the internet. Further more, if your Oncologist's office has a problem answering your questions I would seriously look at finding a new one you are the consumer here they work for you.

[O Stoma Mia]

One thing that you might consider when discussing the folate issue with your doctor is this: You live in the US, and the US has a higher Xeloda side effect rate than does Europe, possibly because of US government policy on food supplementation:

The US has an aggressive policy of fortifying food with folic acid, and requires that all flour, rice, pasta, cornmeal and other grain products are enriched with 140 μg folic acid per 100 g. Similar programs have been initiated in Canada and a number of countries in South America and the Middle East, but are unusual in Europe. One could speculate, therefore, that folic acid supplementation could be a major factor contributing to the perceived excess capecitabine toxicity noted in the US.
Reference: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/583704_print

[CrystalSue]

DH oncologist believes that folic acid can intensify the potential side effects of Xeloda. He is all for us removing it from DH diet in any way we can.

[lpas]

You need to run this by your Oncologist along with any other supplements, vitamins, and etc that you want to take during chemo. You are paying for this expertise use it not the opinion of a bunch of random people on the internet. Further more, if your Oncologist's office has a problem answering your questions I would seriously look at finding a new one you are the consumer here they work for you.

Thanks, RedTexa5. I do intend to speak with my oncologist on this subject but forgot to bring it up at my last appointment and won't be seeing him again for a few weeks. In the meantime, just wanted to check in here and see if others have may have discussed this issue with their doctors.