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NUTRITION NOTES DURING CHEMOTHERAPY

Many chemotherapies found to promote cancer as of August, 2012

Many chemotherapies were discovered in Aug, 2012, to actually promote the formation of cancer rather than reducing caner. All the more reason to rely on nutrition and vitamin C treatment to cure or prevent cancer.

Antioxidants Suppress Apoptosis

"many of the drugs and treatments used to kill cancer cells (chemotherapy and radiation) work by generating ROS to activate apoptotic pathways and kill cells. ..Studies have investigated the effects of antioxidant supplementation on cancer therapy. Studies on cisplatin indicate that it kills breast cancer cells by apoptosis and necrosis, and that the addition of vitamin E blocks much of the apoptotic process. High-dose vitamin E reduces the efficacy of cisplatin, although the normal cells involved would be protected by vitamin E...Oversupplementation may actually produce an environment that is beneficial to the tumor and allow it to survive. "

GREEN TEA IS REALLY GOOD FOR YOU

"Green tea and green tea polyphenols inhibit tumorigenesis at different organ sites, including the skin, lung, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, and prostate. Studies on skin and lung demonstrate that tea is an effective inhibitor when given to animals at the initiation, promotion and progression stages of carcinogenesis. "

  Rationale for Using High-Dose Multiple Antioxidants as an Adjunct to Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy [I RECOMMEND YOU READ THIS ARTICLE PG. 3151S WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE CANCER]

Kedar Prasad, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

"Given these facts, it seems that antioxidants might enhance the effects of radiation and chemotherapy on tumor cells but not on normal cells, but supporting data are scant. .. It is not recommended that low doses of antioxidants be given in any therapeutic situation. [THIS MEANS NO MULTIVITAMIN?]

  SESSION 4: CLINICAL ASPECTS OF ANTIOXIDANT USAGE

" in 2002, 79% of consumers were aware of the association between calcium and osteoporosis; 54% for antioxidants and cancer; and 35% for soy protein and heart disease...many consumers do not seem convinced that antioxidants are as great a health benefit as reported in the media. ..Factors for health message effectiveness include the seriousness of the disease expressed in the claim (e.g., cancer is more serious than osteoporosis), the knowledge of the component (e.g., fruits and vegetables have many benefits), the association with supplements (e.g., consumers do not know what foods contain vitamin E), and the availability of the component (e.g., calcium is perceived to be in many foods; therefore, supplements are not as necessary).

Antioxidant Supplement Use in Cancer Survivors and the General Population  Cheryl Rock, University of California—San Diego  Approximately one-half of the general population takes dietary supplements, and use is higher among individuals with health concerns, especially those diagnosed with cancer. Researchers have suggested that there may be both beneficial and adverse effects of supplement use among individuals diagnosed with cancer.

pg 3158S Kenneth A. Conklin, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Professor, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California—Los Angeles, discussed the controversy surrounding the use of antioxidants during chemotherapy (18). Approximately 300 to 400 preclinical studies have been published on this topic[chemotherapy and antioxidants], and most show that antioxidants do not interfere with the mechanism of action of therapeutic agents.