What supplements to take during chemo?

[Pagola44]

Any recommendations?
I've read some association studies that people taking antioxidants during chemotherapy for breast cancer had worst outcomes but the other studies suggest supplements can help

Any recommendations?
Or should I avoid it altogether?

Maybe ip6? Vitamin d? Green tea?

[Pagola44]

Worried ill be eating too many anti oxidants and it will have negative consequences

[Pagola44]

Worried about how it interacts with chemo..don't want to block the chemo working

[Bianca10]

Worried about how it interacts with chemo..don't want to block the chemo working

Speak to your oncologist about this, but also try and accept every oncologist will likely give a different response. Just as each of us here will give a different response. You can’t rely too much on other people’s experience, every cancer is completely individual for starters and a lot of it is anecdotal. As long as it doesn’t hurt, then you should go with what you think is best for you.

My partners oncologist doesn’t believe in supplements and thinks it’s down to faith, but also isn’t against him taking anything whilst on chemo, other than grapefruit weirdly.

I noticed you asking on a different post about drinking water, or course you need to continue drinking water and stay hydrated. I really don’t want to be rude, but that question alone is very silly and I hope deep down you know that.
Are you getting any support for your mental health/anxiety?
In earlier posts a few months back I tended to disagree with some people’s comments, however since having to look at specific eligibility criteria for a clinical trial - sound state of mind (in other words) is a factor. You should try and get a handle on your mental state so you can cope with treatment.

[Rock_Robster]

Interestingly grapefruit (incl. juice) should be avoided with pretty much most medications: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer- ... s-dont-mix

[Pagola44]

Worried about how it interacts with chemo..don't want to block the chemo working

Speak to your oncologist about this, but also try and accept every oncologist will likely give a different response. Just as each of us here will give a different response. You can’t rely too much on other people’s experience, every cancer is completely individual for starters and a lot of it is anecdotal. As long as it doesn’t hurt, then you should go with what you think is best for you.

My partners oncologist doesn’t believe in supplements and thinks it’s down to faith, but also isn’t against him taking anything whilst on chemo, other than grapefruit weirdly.

I noticed you asking on a different post about drinking water, or course you need to continue drinking water and stay hydrated. I really don’t want to be rude, but that question alone is very silly and I hope deep down you know that.
Are you getting any support for your mental health/anxiety?
In earlier posts a few months back I tended to disagree with some people’s comments, however since having to look at specific eligibility criteria for a clinical trial - sound state of mind (in other words) is a factor. You should try and get a handle on your mental state so you can cope with treatment.

Sorry i was getting anxious as I've drank high amounts of water for years

[zephyr]

JMHO ... the best answer you'll probably get will be from an integrated medicine physician or a naturopathic doctor who is board-certified in oncology. Ignoring the question about antioxidants and addressing only the what supplements should take? question, there are several standard ones (e.g., mushrooms have been well studied) but it really comes down to your body and what it needs. Many of the supplements in my protocol were based on blood tests - vitamins that needed a boost and pathways that needed addressing. It also matters what chemo you're on. Vitamin C, for example, works with some but not with others.

[Pagola44]

JMHO ... the best answer you'll probably get will be from an integrated medicine physician or a naturopathic doctor who is board-certified in oncology. Ignoring the question about antioxidants and addressing only the what supplements should take? question, there are several standard ones (e.g., mushrooms have been well studied) but it really comes down to your body and what it needs. Many of the supplements in my protocol were based on blood tests - vitamins that needed a boost and pathways that needed addressing. It also matters what chemo you're on. Vitamin C, for example, works with some but not with others.

Hmm it would be hard to find such person?

Anyone else have any supplements they'd recommend whilst on chemo?

It seems tumeric + folfox has been shown to increase effectiveness but downsides could he liver issues not sure if to take the risk

[Rock_Robster]

JMHO ... the best answer you'll probably get will be from an integrated medicine physician or a naturopathic doctor who is board-certified in oncology. Ignoring the question about antioxidants and addressing only the what supplements should take? question, there are several standard ones (e.g., mushrooms have been well studied) but it really comes down to your body and what it needs. Many of the supplements in my protocol were based on blood tests - vitamins that needed a boost and pathways that needed addressing. It also matters what chemo you're on. Vitamin C, for example, works with some but not with others.

Hmm it would be hard to find such person?

Anyone else have any supplements they'd recommend whilst on chemo?

It seems tumeric + folfox has been shown to increase effectiveness but downsides could he liver issues not sure if to take the risk

There are no integrative oncologists in Australia; there are plenty of naturopaths but they don’t have medical qualifications. The closest you’d get would be someone like this guy (I saw him, he’s pretty impressive, but also intense and expensive):

https://niim.com.au/clinic/practitioner ... -avni-sali

[Pagola44]

JMHO ... the best answer you'll probably get will be from an integrated medicine physician or a naturopathic doctor who is board-certified in oncology. Ignoring the question about antioxidants and addressing only the what supplements should take? question, there are several standard ones (e.g., mushrooms have been well studied) but it really comes down to your body and what it needs. Many of the supplements in my protocol were based on blood tests - vitamins that needed a boost and pathways that needed addressing. It also matters what chemo you're on. Vitamin C, for example, works with some but not with others.

Hmm it would be hard to find such person?

Anyone else have any supplements they'd recommend whilst on chemo?

It seems tumeric + folfox has been shown to increase effectiveness but downsides could he liver issues not sure if to take the risk

There are no integrative oncologists in Australia; there are plenty of naturopaths but they don’t have medical qualifications. The closest you’d get would be someone like this guy (I saw him, he’s pretty impressive, but also intense and expensive):

https://niim.com.au/clinic/practitioner ... -avni-sali

Interesting thanks do you have any recommendations based on your consult with him?

[Rock_Robster]

He gave me an enormous amount of information - my initial consult was 4 hours long, and based on my case and lifestyle choices (to be diplomatic!). A lot of it was very consistent with the advice you’ll find in this forum and others like it (eg supplements, antioxidants, off-label meds, exercise, meditation, etc).

I also saw this guy in QLD - he had a few more novel ideas (around things like 2DG, very high dose THC/CBD, niacin/IR detoxing, personalised cancer vaccines, NK/DC therapy, etc.):

http://drbinjemain.com/

[Pagola44]

He gave me an enormous amount of information - my initial consult was 4 hours long, and based on my case and lifestyle choices (to be diplomatic!). A lot of it was very consistent with the advice you’ll find in this forum and others like it (eg supplements, antioxidants, off-label meds, exercise, meditation, etc).

I also saw this guy in QLD - he had a few more novel ideas (around things like 2DG, very high dose THC/CBD, niacin/IR detoxing, personalised cancer vaccines, NK/DC therapy, etc.):

http://drbinjemain.com/

Interesting cheers for the links
I wonder if there's any point discussing this with my oncologist ? I doubt he would recommend anything..

[Rock_Robster]

He gave me an enormous amount of information - my initial consult was 4 hours long, and based on my case and lifestyle choices (to be diplomatic!). A lot of it was very consistent with the advice you’ll find in this forum and others like it (eg supplements, antioxidants, off-label meds, exercise, meditation, etc).

I also saw this guy in QLD - he had a few more novel ideas (around things like 2DG, very high dose THC/CBD, niacin/IR detoxing, personalised cancer vaccines, NK/DC therapy, etc.):

http://drbinjemain.com/

Interesting cheers for the links
I wonder if there's any point discussing this with my oncologist ? I doubt he would recommend anything..

Probably not; he isn’t incentivised to be adventurous here, and his license conditions severely limit what he can recommend to you as his patient.

Not to say he’s wrong - you do need to watch out for interactions, and also make sure you don’t do anything which could impact your ability to do chemo.

[mozart13]

If you're considering supplements during chemotherapy, vitamin D and green tea could be helpful, but it's important to consult your doctor first. In my opinion, it might be a good idea to try a cannabis prescription from Releaf, which helps many patients with pain and nausea.