Do thesee supplements erally support our immune system???

cp418

I ask this because I spend a pretty penny buying these products.  Now I having bleeping Shingles, so obviously my immune system is defective. 

 I'm so annoyed I can't even type correctly.....

 

LJ13-2

There is little evidence that any "supplements" do any good for us.

There are some studies that some ingredients in supplements do certain things.

Still, when exposed to a virus, unless you've had that virus before, it's not necessarily a weak immune system if you succumb. 

EstherMSKCC

Dear cp418,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm an employee of Memorial Sloan-Kettering and came across your post questioning the use of supplements to help one's immune system. I am writing to let you know that Memorial Sloan-Kettering has an excellent resource on its web site called "About Herbs" that offers evidence-based information about herbs, botanicals, alternative regimens, supplements, etc., and provides details about each agent's constituents, how it works, adverse effects, interactions, and potential benefits or problems. The information in the database is free and maintained by a pharmacist and botanicals expert on staff at Sloan-Kettering.

Here is the link: www.mskcc.org/aboutherbs.  (in case the link is corrupted as sometimes happens on this site, here's the site with spaces in between: w w w . m s k c c . o r g / a b o u t h e r b s

I hope this information is useful to you and others on this site, as it can sometimes be difficult to sort out the confusing claims made for over-the-counter products. It's important that you ask your doctor about possible interactions with your specific medications before taking anything not prescribed by him or her. 

All my best,  -Esther

brianbbush

Do research on coriolus versicolor mushroom.  Must be PSP or PSK version.

 Webmd reports that coriolus versicolor mushroom, PSP & PSK are used to stimulate the immune system, treating herpes, chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis, pulmonary disorders, reduces phlegm, improves bodybuilding results, increases energy, curing ringworm & impetigo, treating upper respiratory infections, urinary & digestive tract infections, liver disorders, and helping with the toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

WellWater

Esther - THANK YOU for the link to that website.  It is so comprehensive and I love the fact that the referenced studies are listed on the same page.  I was considering giving up DIM but after reading that it does indeed assist in metabolizing estrogen, I'm going to continue with it. 

CP418 - I'm sorry you're experiencing the pain and irritation of shingles and hope you find relief soon. 

carcharm

I take a mushroom mixture and I haven't been sick since I started it. The girl behind me at work had H1N1 flu for 6 weeks she hacked all over my desk area and I did not get it. I do believe they help. Colustrum is another one that helps. I just posted a new vaccine that boosts the immune system coming to trials at the Cleveland Clinic next year. It 's suppose to be preventative for breast cancer but shows promise in eliminating cancer cells already present. I hope I will be eligible.

althea

cp, did your shingles go away?  I'm sorry I didn't see this when you first posted.  I had a case of shingles also, and it came just when I thought things were finally going to get better for me.  I learned that it's the same virus that causes chicken pox.  Anyone who's had chicken pox previously has the potential of getting shingles.  It can be very serious if it gets near your eyes.  An outbreak can indicate a high level of stress and a compromised immune system.  So while I was not a happy camper to have shingles just a few weeks after completing chemo/surgery/rads/more surgery, I have to marvel at the fact my body didn't erupt in one giant shingle from head to toe in the middle of it all.  I hope you skated through with a mild case.  It's all over the board in terms of severity. 

cp418

Thanks Althea - - I had a couple of really rough days pain wise.  It was like a very deep sun burn pain across left side around my stomach which caused intense muscle spasms.  My GP gave me a prescription topical cream Zovirax which IMO helped alot with the blisters.  I also took the oral anti-viral medication for what it was worth and added daily supplements with Lysine.  http://www.forces-of-nature.net/topics/herpes/lysine.htm  Extra-strength Excedrin for pain several times a day.

I still have a few blisters on my stomach taking longer to resolve, BUT I may not have had it as bad as others.  Yup - I had chicken pox as a kid.  These damn viruses cause so many problems especially for those of us who obvioulsy have immune issues.  Any way, I continue to take my daily quota of rock supplements in hopes they will some how help. 

motheroffoursons

By the way, when I reached 60 my PCP wrote a prescription for a shingles virus vaccination.  It is supposed to be covered by insurance, but it is tricky as it is not covered by the pharmacy plan, but is covered by the medical plan.  I ended up paying for it, with the price (expensive) being applied to my out of network expense, which meant that year that I paid for the whole thing.  So check with your insurance company.

MsBliss

Dear LJ13-2,

City of Hope has preliminary positive research on blueberries, MD Anderson has positive research on modified citrus pectin, everyone is getting on the vitamin D wagon, University of Michigan has now shown that sulforaphanes from broccoli stop bc cancer stem cells, there are numerous studies on curcumin that show is is so effective they are trying to develop a standardized protocol to use it for many different types of cancer.  Coriolus Versicolor mushrooms have been proven in a study done in Japan to be able to help the immune system target specific pathways that cause apoptosis in bc cells.  These are all supplements and they have been shown to have specific targetable effects in a clinical setting.

seaotter

I have been researching modified citrus pectin. It does sound very good for us. I have read conflicting statements on how much and if it should be taken on an empty stomach or not. Does anyone here know? Thanks

Patty

Nan56143

You gals really have to watch this video. It is about 77 minutes long but well worth your time. We are what we eat!! This is on foods, supplements and much more on cancer.

http://www.sprword.com/videos/foodmatters/

hlth4513

Hi Patty-

I finally got off the fence and started taking it about 6 weeks ago. I am taking it for anti-metatastic properties as well as the fact that it is a gentle chelator of mercury.

What I have read, and what was echoed by the naturopathic oncologist at Life Extension, was that ideally you take it three times a day for five months, and then you can go to once a day. Some people just do the daily dose.

The dose is either one scoop(@ tsp) or you can do the capsules(6 caps a dose). I am doing the powder because it is cheaper and the thought of adding another 18 capsules a day to my regimen made me gag.

I mix it with green tea matcha powder and add a little stevia and shake. It mixes really well - so not chalky at all - basically no taste.

 Best price I found is Life Extension's Member price.

Beth

seaotter

Thanks Beth. You are the best!

Patty

MsBliss

You want to take MCP on an empty stomach.

MsBliss

Beth, did you check and see if there are any conflicts with using tea and stevia with MCP?

vespersparrow

Hi, do you know how long should one wait after taking MCP before taking any other supplements?  Can the MCP inhibit absorption?

 

MsBliss wrote:

You want to take MCP on an empty stomach.

hlth4513

Bliss-

No I haven't. DO you have reason to believe  it is a problem? I intentionally take my green tea away from meals because I know tha green tea interferes with the lipase in my digestive enzymes and I have an issue with digesting fats.

 I do take it on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before meals. I used to add a bit of agave - but mercola's article on agave scared me and I went with stevia.

I will call LIfe Extension later today and ask them about timiing and interaction and will post what they tell me.

Beth

somanywomen

Nan...I just watched the foodmatters video on sprword.com....Very well done to the point common-sense approach to decease fighting alternatives, esp., since current treatment and adjuvant treatment is basing bc survial rates on only 5 years (where are the real statistics?)!!!...I have basically changed my diet since dx with bc 10/09 to no dairy, no hormone boosted meat, mostly organic vegs/fruits, esp., the top twelve with most pesticides, like strawberries, peaches, apples, leaf vegs, etc.....My husband and I have both lost about 15 lbs, my cholesterol dropped 30 pts and I was able to bring my vit d levels up from 28 to 45, all in about 5 months time.....So I am a solid believer that we can take control of what goes in and on our bodies to prevent less harm and boost our health!!...Thanks for link, great website.....

hlth4513

I called LIfe Extension and they consulted with one of their oncologists about Modified Citrus Pectin.

The oncologost felt that taking the MCP with green tea and stevia  would not affect the efficacy of the MCP at all. She did say that because MCP is high fiber, it could reduce the effectiveness of the green tea  slightly.

I'll continue to take the green tea powder with the MCP, because I like the taste and it sounds like I will still get great benefits. I will just make sure that I take my green tea capsules separate from the MCP.

 Thanks, Bliss for your question.

Beth