antioxidants and rads

lrr4993
lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I was told by my rad onco to avoid antioxidant supplements while on rads.  I asked her if dietary antioxidants would be fine, along with a multivitamin, and she said yes - just avoid the super doses found in supplements.  She said that they are mainly concerned with vitamins A, C, and E and only in large doses "like 200% of the recommended daily value."  

After I thought about it - and of course after I left her office - 200% is easy to get to.  My multivitamin alone is 100% of C, and one cup of strawberries is 150%, and i eat 2 c. per day.  Already past the amount she mentioned before even looking at what is found in the following that i consume every day:  lemon juice, raspberries, strawberries, and grapes.

Has anyone else discussed antioxidants with their docs, particularly whether these amounts are really a problem or is it much higher, like 1000% (which my hair growth supplement has . . . not taking that one for now). 

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited January 2011

    Okay, so I just looked up the vit a and c in my daily fruits and veggies . . . I am waaaaaay over 100% of the daily rec.  Will have to ask about this tomorrow.  I don't want to give up the fruits and veggies with all the anti-cancer benefits they have.  

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  • eileen1955
    eileen1955 Member Posts: 365
    edited January 2011

    Did she say what the hi-dose antioxidants would cause?

    My radiation was in 2004 and I think I actually took antioxidant supplements.  Just seemed an appropriate thing to do since I feared a recurrence and the black smoke exhaust from buses always made me feel that I was happy to be able to combat all the enviromental stressors.

    Oh, well. that ship has sailed for me.   But I did not have a favorable radiation outcome (radiation induced fibrosis) so I wonder if there was a link.   I'm past the point of blaming myself; just would like accurate current info to pass on to others when asked.       Best wishes to you. 

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited January 2011

    She told me that radiation works by oxidation - or something like that.  The antioxidants work against that.  However, based on some internet research I did, it seems like there is some debate as to whether this is a legit concern.

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