Complementary Treatment

[Oren]

Does anyone here knows anything about complementary treatments that might enhance the immune system, and thet can be taken together with chemo?

My mother is taking herbal supplements such as IP-6, Bio-Bran (MGN3) and more in order to boost her NK cells . Does anyone here have any experience with these things?

[john]

I have heard that MGN3 is realtively good. She may want to try astragalus, and the mushrooms - reishi, maitake d-fraction and psk (coriolus versicolor)

[Oren]

Right now she is taking several supplements: IP-6 + inistol, Ten Mushroom Formula, A-L Tonic, and Wobenzyme, together with the chemo. since she started taking those things she feels a lot better and her WBC counts went up, so has the RBC counts. The problem is that some doctors are against these things as they fear it might interfere with the chemo, others are very much in favour, and we are confused. So, if there's any one who is on these things too, we will be happy to hear.

[john]

Dr Weil is a MD that also does alternative medicine. He recommends astragalus and mushroom formulas and says there is nothing in them that will affect the chemo.

Some doctors say don't take anti-oxidants, but others say it is ok. Since your mother feels better, why stop?

I am not sure about IP-6, A-L tonic and wobenzyme and how it or if it affects chemo. You might want to do more research into those

[Guest]

Info on IP-6 Inositol.

J Nutr. 2003 Nov;133(11):3778S-84S. Related Articles, Links

Cancer Inhibition by Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP(6)) and Inositol: From Laboratory to Clinic.

Vucenik I, Shamsuddin AM.

Department of Medical and Research Technology and Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP(6)) is a naturally occurring polyphosphorylated carbohydrate that is present in substantial amounts in almost all plant and mammalian cells. It was recently recognized to possess multiple biological functions. A striking anticancer effect of IP(6) was demonstrated in different experimental models. Inositol is also a natural constituent possessing moderate anticancer activity. The most consistent and best anticancer results were obtained from the combination of IP(6) plus inositol. In addition to reducing cell proliferation, IP(6) increases differentiation of malignant cells, often resulting in a reversion to normal phenotype. Exogenously administered IP(6) is rapidly taken into the cells and dephosphorylated to lower-phosphate inositol phosphates, which further interfere with signal transduction pathways and cell cycle arrest. Enhanced immunity and antioxidant properties can also contribute to tumor cell destruction. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this anticancer action are not fully understood. Because it is abundantly present in regular diet, efficiently absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and safe, IP(6) holds great promise in our strategies for the prevention and treatment of cancer. IP(6) plus inositol enhances the anticancer effect of conventional chemotherapy, controls cancer metastases, and improves the quality of life, as shown in a pilot clinical trial. The data strongly argue for the use of IP(6) plus inositol in our strategies for cancer prevention and treatment. However, the effectiveness and safety of IP(6) plus inositol at therapeutic doses needs to be determined in phase I and phase II clinical trials in humans.

PMID: 14608114 [PubMed - in process]