Nutritional Supplements + Chemo/Radiation = ?OK?

I started my last blog posting with The Question of the Day re: surgery and taking nutritional supplements. Next question: How do cancer treatments (chemo/radiation) and nutritional supplements fit together? Here’s the rhetorical question from the last post one more time (just changing a few words): As we continue to learn about the powerful benefits of basic nutritional supplementation when we’re (fairly) healthy, wouldn’t it make sense to maintain those benefits when our bodies are under even greater stress as during times of chemotherapy and radiation?
Things that make you go ‘Hmmm…..’

I feel the need to include this paragraph as well from my last posting as well since it fits perfectly in this context as well (with just a few word changes): What is a person to do…if a health care provider instructs patients to avoid all vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements before/during/after chemotherapy or radiation? How about asking the health care provider for the specific ‘why’ behind their instructions…and the ‘reference’ where a person could access the studies/research their instructions are based on. If these two requests aren’t met with satisfaction, how about pursuing additional, evidence-based advice? “Because I said so” or “That’s just how it is” are NOT acceptable answers.

First on the agenda is the reminder to us all that each of us are uniquely created (by an amazing Creator, I might add!)—thus, there is no simple cookie-cutter piece of advice that fits all situations. Second on the agenda is one other very important reminder that nutritional supplements are NOT created equal! ‘Whole food’ and ‘Organic’ are two of the most important factors to look for when deciding on supplements. ‘Whole food’ means that the various nutrients are being provided as they would be found in nature—with just the water & fiber removed—no mega-dosing, just proper balance (as opposed to singling out certain nutrients, hoping our body will be able to use them appropriately, which usually doesn’t happen). ‘Organic’ means that you’re getting pure product, without pesticides/herbicides/fillers, etc. that can be harmful to us.

Below are just a few examples of research (from multiple textbooks & sources in my studies) that attest to the many benefits of basic nutritional supplementation, tailored to a person’s individual needs:

*CoQ-10 (an antioxidant) has been found to help alleviate many toxic effects of cancer drugs. It has also been found to reduce the risk of breast & prostate cancers---as well as the rate of tumor growth once the cancer has begun.
*Protease (a digestive enzyme) promotes healing and recovery from cancer—and can also dissolve the fibrin coating on cancer cells, allowing the body’s defenses to function better.
*Acidophilus (a probiotic) has been found to kill pathogens that contribute to cancer. A 1997 study showed the growth of breast cancer cells slowed by up to 85% after exposure to acidophilus.
*Indole-3-carbinole (powerful phytonutrient) prevents cancer in 2 ways: by improving enzyme pathways for our bodies to get rid of cancer-causing agents & by inhibiting certain cancer-causing materials from binding to DNA.
* Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) can inhibit growth of some cancer cells, including melanoma.
*Maitake (mushroom) is highly effective against hormone-driven cancers like breast, prostate & endometrial---and even high mortality cancers like lung, liver, pancreas. It has also been found to be helpful in lessening the side effects from chemo (nausea & loss of appetite). It also appears to protect healthy cells from becoming cancerous & prevent spread of cancer once it has taken hold.
*Shiitake (mushroom) enhances the body’s natural ability to eliminate a tumor.
*Royal Agaricus (mushroom) is a rich source of beta glucan---a powerful cancer-fighting agent.

Realize that these few examples are also designed for PREVENTING big, bad diseases & health challenges, such as cancer. My family & I take a ‘whole food’ organic mushroom blend every day for that very reason, along with a few other foundational nutritional products----to me, THAT’S true ‘Insurance.’

Thanks for reading…for taking time to stretch your knowledge…for continuing the journey we’re all as ‘Owners’ of our own health—

Here’s to a most healthy you—
Sana

Nutritional Supplements + Surgery = ?OK?

Wow, the weeks fly by (in between blog postings!) as I continue on with my studies---All is well---just limited time and so much to learn! :) My goal in posting blogs like this is to potentially stretch your current knowledge in specific areas related to health. I encourage you to learn as much as you can, as you continue to ‘Take Ownership of your Health.’ Let’s get started…

The Question of the Day: How do surgery, pre & post-op recovery and nutritional supplements fit together? This is definitely becoming an ‘FAQ’ (frequently asked question) in my conversations –– and rightly so! As more and more of us are learning about the powerful benefits of basic nutritional supplementation when we’re (fairly) healthy, wouldn’t it make sense to maintain those benefits when our bodies are under even greater stress as during times of surgery and recovery?
Things that make you go ‘Hmmm…..’

Some examples of what can occur in the body during and after surgery: Vitamin B12 deficiency from anesthesia---reduced oxygen to cells & decreased blood flow from blood loss (both causing an increase in free radicals)---a profound suppression of the immune system from surgery and anesthesia---liver stress from anesthetic agents and medications---magnesium depletion from steroids and diuretics---impaired wound healing from vitamin C & zinc depletion and low protein intake. These are just a few examples…to emphasize the importance of appropriate nutritional supplementation during this critical time in anyone’s life. Just the trauma of surgery increases the body’s metabolic rate, which increases the production of free radicals-->not a good thing!
(Learn more about free radicals & antioxidants in my 4/26 blog entry).

Next Question: What is a person to do…if a health care provider instructs patients to avoid all vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements for several weeks before and after surgery? How about asking the health care provider for the ‘why’ behind their instructions…and the ‘reference’ where a person could access the studies/research their instructions are based on. If these two requests aren’t met with satisfaction, how about pursuing additional, evidence-based advice? “Because I said so” or “That’s just how it is” are NOT acceptable answers.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of a nutrient does NOT apply to surgical patients or those with significant injuries since the stress of the situation dramatically increases nutritional needs. RDA’s were developed to provide healthy individuals with adequate nutrient intake to avoid diseases of deficiency, like rickets and scurvy (not to promote optimal health).

According to Dr. Eldon Haas in his textbook, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, ‘Vitamins A & C and the mineral zinc help tissue repair after surgery and lessen chance of infection.’ What a simple step to take to increase your healing ‘odds.’ Dr. Haas thoroughly covers nutrients that can be of benefit before and after surgery. Quick examples: B vitamins (especially B2-riboflavin) help with tissue repair…Magnesium activates multiple enzymes that promote the healing process.

Dr. Russell Blaylock (in Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life) refers to several studies which report that maintaining adequate levels of the mineral magnesium in the body tissues can reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism after surgery. Studies abound… revealing the benefits of nutritional supplementation before, during and after all types of surgery. Another example: Using a combination of flavonoids (antioxidants), magnesium, selenium, zinc and the antioxidant vitamins helps protect the brain during and after neurosurgery. Sounds like that would be a good idea…

In case you’re remembering past media reports pertaining to studies investigating the use of specific vitamins, antioxidants, etc. and finding them ineffective or even harmful, realize that those studies used single vitamins…single antioxidants, not vitamins and antioxidants found in ‘real food’ or in whole food supplements. Honestly, I’ve noticed multiple news stories recently about elevated infection rates in hospitals…making this information even that much more important!

Thanks for reading--I look forward to your comments and questions. :)
Blessings of wellness to you...
Sana