Question:
I’m currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Is it safe to take any vitamins and supplements or undergo any other treatments during chemotherapy?
-Rosalie, Sydney Australia
Answer:
Naturopathic support during chemotherapy is very valuable.
In many cases, it reduces the side effects of the chemo (nausea, hair loss, fatigue), assists the body in eliminating the chemotherapeutic drug once it has completed its job and in some cases, it even improves chemotherapy efficacy.
However there ARE some combinations of vitamins that should be avoided during chemotherapy. Please consult a naturopathic doctor about vitamins to avoid.
The timing of naturopathic support is also important, as treatments on chemotherapy days will be different than days with no chemotherapy.
Dr. Jean-Jacques Dugoua, or Dr. JJ, as he is affectionately known, is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), the Director of the Liberty Clinic and a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto. He is also a researcher at Sick Kids Hospital (Toronto) and a published author.
You can read more of his work at www.askdrjj.com.
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Lori says
September 20, 2010 at 9:35 pmI’m a nutrition educator who works with cancer patients. My experience has been that doctors tell their patients not to take anything, particularly if it’s considered an antioxidant. Apparently they think supplements are worthless at best, and may actually promote cancer development. And at the same time, patients are told to eat anything they want to keep weight on. A well-known big-business oncology office in this area even encourages and supplies donuts and pastries for their patients after the chemo sessions, because of their high calories. Unfortunatetly I live in a state where practicing naturopathy is pretty much thought of as the equivalent of witchcraft…
Abraham lev says
September 20, 2010 at 11:10 pmfrom experience of 24 years doctors oppose taking antioxidants
during chemo. they agree to:
(1) ‘pomegranate standardized ext. because of the “ellagic acid”
(2) beta 1,3 glucans
chemotherapy says
September 21, 2010 at 2:20 pmChemo kills healthy cells and hence its collateral damage outweighs its benefits… for some chemo is the last resort and if it ever comes to that point do not hesitate to combine your chemotherapy with supplements. Look for more info on this link and you will understand why cancer industry has become so commercialized:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/04/02/vitamin-c-cancer-part-one.aspx
http://www.mercola.com/article/cancer/cancer_options.htm
Seg says
September 21, 2010 at 7:30 pmYou should investigate taking a lower dose chemo WITH INSULIN, apprently the sides effects are very mild and you still get the “killing” benefits of CHEMO. Google Frank Shallenberger for more info..