natalie Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 When do you guys recommend I give my mom supplements? She just finished radiation and starts chemo next week. Do I wait a certain amount of days after chemo or have her take them a couple of days before? With reading articles, I'm so confused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 Natalie, We started my husband on suppliments before starting chemo, because we wanted to build his strength and immune system. The only thing we were told, and that I think is important is to check everything out with your oncologist and/or the hospital's oncology nutritionist (our hospital has a staff nutritionist who is very familiar with chemotherapy). The reason is that many antioxidants, which are great from ridding the body of free radicals and toxins, actually hinder chemo. They can decrease absorption of the chemo drugs, thereby negating some of the benefits. Check with your doctor, I'm sure he can make some good recommendations. Carleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted June 12, 2003 Share Posted June 12, 2003 Some research on antioxidants and chemo The use of antioxidant therapies during chemotherapy. Drisko JA, Chapman J, Hunter VJ. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. jdrisko@kumc.edu OBJECTIVE: At the present time, many cancer patients combine some form of complementary and alternative medicine therapies with their conventional therapies. The most common choice of these therapies is the use of antioxidants. RESULTS: A review of four common antioxidants is undertaken, which includes vitamin E (mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols), beta-carotene (natural mixed carotenoids), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and vitamin A (retinoic acid). Antioxidants act as electron acceptors as well as therapeutic biologic response modifiers. Despite the fact that chemotherapy-induced formation of free radicals is well-demonstrated, chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity in general does not seem to depend on formation of reactive oxygen species. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, evidence is growing that antioxidants may provide some benefit when combined with certain types of chemotherapy. Because of the potential for positive benefits, a randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding antioxidants to chemotherapy in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer is underway at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelliemacs Posted June 12, 2003 Share Posted June 12, 2003 Nat, I agree I think its a good idea to ask the ONC. about anything first before having mom take it. JUST IN CASE there could be a counter effect. remember drink drink drink those fluids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie Posted June 13, 2003 Author Share Posted June 13, 2003 Carleen, Jon and Shelly- Thanks for the feedback! Jon, you are the most resourceful person! I admire and respect your dedication to helping us all out! Thank you so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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