can I take the supplements I bought today?

melmcbee
melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

Hi. I am trying to do 2 things... 1 is heal a place on my mastectomy scar and 2 is lose weight or not gain anymore. Today I went to my local health food store to look for protein.I told the salesperson I couldnt have soy products and I wanted protein for healing not to gain weight. That I have already gained enough weight. She suggested I buy Bluebonnet Whey protein isolate  26 gms protein. I get home tonight and soybeans are listed in the ingredients. Does this mean I cant use it?

She also suggested propolis for healing. So I got Y.S. eco bee farms 70% ultra strength propolis (full potency bioflavonoids). Its a liquid and the suggested use is 5-10 drops with a 1/4 teaspoon of honey. But she said I could probably also put it on my incision... The first page I looked up at home tonight about propolis said breast cancer patients shouldnt take it cause of the estrogen response or something like that. Is that true.

I also bought almond milk and rice milk to mix the protein shake with.

At another store I bought a supplement that has apple cider vinegar, kelp, lecithin, and B-6 in it for weight loss, and a supplement called green tea slim to promote healthy metabolism.

Does any of this sound good or am I wasting my money? I already take multi-vitamin, cal/mag/zinc, vit c,  b-complex, omega 3 fish oil, biotin, and when I remember I mix some l-glutamine powder with water or juice.

I appreciate any help. I feel like I spent more money than I should have and now I feel like I can't use the protein or the propolis which cost the most. I should've taken the time to read the ingredients instead of taking someone else's word.  And I should have researched it first. Thanks

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  • evergreen9
    evergreen9 Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2012

    I don't know enough to comment specifically on your purchases, but I do have some info I have gathered, which I just posted on "My Cancer Diet"....

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited October 2012

    I think soy is good to take but some people disagree. I don't know about the other things but I wanted to suggest paper tape for your incisions. My PS gave it to me when I had surgery and it makes the scar fainter. You have to wear it all the time. I usually left it on for about a week and then changed it. What he gave me was skin colored and it was called micropore. I could not find it in the store and he told me that what's sold in the store is called paper tape and its the same thing even though its white. Its breathable and it comes off easily yet stays pur until you take it off. I found it even easier to remove in the shower. Its a great product and I keep some for other uses, like if you cut a finger you can just wrap it around as its really flexible. Also, I just remembered, my surgeon told me to take zinc 224 mg and vit c 2000 mg for healing after surgery.

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited October 2012

    Does the new whey powder contain soy protein or soy lethicin? My nutritionist said soy lethicin is OK and is usually used in small quantities.  My MO said to avoid soy protein powder--too concentrated. I agree that you should be able to return it to the store esp. since the salesperson mislead you.

    Yes, extra protein helps you heal. Do you know how much you get from diet? I'm mostly vegetarian but during rads I added in salmon a few times a week. I also switched to whole-grain pasta and was eating oatmeal a few times a week. Not sure what your target is for grams of protein a day but I was surprised at the protein content when I checked certain labels. Nuts are a good source of protein. Nut milks, generally, are not.

    I'm also struggling with weight. I gained 8 pounds in my first year on tamoxifen and it's been super hard to lose it. I started swimming and I lost a few pounds but not as quickly as I hoped.  I found that if I eat 6-9 servings of fruit and veggies as day, that helps (probably cuz I'm eating salads instead of sandwiches). I cut out orange juice, in favor of whole oranges (i.e. extra fiber). I bake sweet potato french fries when I have a junk food craving. 

    This isn't a diet book but when I was going through Tx I got Rebecca Katz's cookbook THE CANCER FIGHTHING KITCHEN (at my library. Maybe yours too).  She talks about nutrition in general and the healing powers of certain foods. There's a special chapter on high-protein foods. She also has a chapter on "Anytime Foods." i.e. foods I made on the weekend and then had around the house during the week. Convenient for anyone, whether going through Tx or not. 

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited October 2012

    I slice 'em really thin (shoestrings) and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes (I put them on parchment). I turn then once halfway through. No, they don't get crispy. If you bake them long enough they turn black so you can test it and see how crisp you can make 'em without burning. ;)  I do slather on (organic) ketchup like I did when I was a kid.  So not perfect fries, but instead of eating junk I'm getting tons 'o beta carotene. They're healthy. Really.

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  • ajl
    ajl Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2012

    I too have been trying to put together a plan with some supplements. I have contacted a Nutritionist who has worked with many Cancer Patients over the past 20 years. Along with a very detailed plan she has me using a protein powder that has no soy or whey: Lifetime, Life Basics, Greens is the name of it. I use it for breakfast and lunch. I usually add a hal a banana or grapes into it. I like the taste very much. I have the added weight and higher cholesteral due to taking Femara. I'm almost up to my 5th year. I am anxious to start the whole nutritional plan she has made for me but I know that the Oncologists really don't agree with supplements. I think it is because there hasn't been all the testing (no money in that field).

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  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited November 2012

    I went to Bluebonnet's website, and it doesn't give enough information on the label to know how much soy is in the products.  It looks suspiciously like they are using soy as a protein source, as it does not say soy lecithin, it says: "Contains: milk, soybeans".  The whole subject of the safety of soy products and hormone recepter positive breast cancer is unsettled.  Most certainly the soy derived isoflavones have the most potential to influence hormone receptor positive breast cancer (good/bad?), and pure protein the least.

    If it sets your mind at ease, I would return the product or give it to a friend, and buy a whey protein isolate that only used whey as a protein source.  The small amount of soy lecithin used as an emulsifier in the product shouldn't be a concern in terms of hormone like activity.

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  • carlads
    carlads Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2012

    Hi everyone,

    I am new to these boards.  I was just diagnosed with IDC, cell grade 2 no stage yet.  I have surgery on Dec 4th I have chose bilateral Mastectomies.  I have a question to you all I have always had a problem with constipation and since my diagnosis it has been worse.  I have been downing water and prune juice!  MY doctor recommended Miralax but have a problem with bloating from products like that.  I also understand that Chemo can cause us to get plugged up.  Any advise??   

    Carla

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited November 2012

    I like smooth moves tea by traditional medicinals. Lots of water too and try stewed prunes. You can add a bit of lemon juice and lemon zest to improve the taste. Best of luck with your surgery. There is a thread with lots of constipation remedies somewhere. Try to search for it.

    Caryn

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  • carlads
    carlads Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2012

    Thank you Caryn I will try and find it.

    Carla

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