Going off antioxidants for radio therapy

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Jewelweed
Jewelweed Member Posts: 74
edited October 2021 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Waaaaahhhhh!

Okay, I am a bonafide health nut, I admit it, and I just read that for radiation therapy I *must* go off antioxidants and will not even be able to have my daily beautiful smoothie that includes two scoops of collagen peptides because even that contains Vitamin C. Normally I pop a small case of vitamin supplements daily, so this really feels traumatic.

I'll be meeting my doctor on Monday, but in the meantime could someone give me the skinny on what is an absolute no-no, and what healthy treats I might be allowed? How do you stay healthy during all of this?

Can I use retinol and vitamin C cream on my face at least? Is it okay to eat foods that are loaded with nutrients?

Help! Help!

And thank you.....

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2021

    This the way the “ban” on anti oxidants during treatment was explained to me - anti oxidants build up cell defenses and help them protect themselves. Anything that helps your healthy cells will also help the cancer cells.

    It made sense to me! I don’t think skin creams are a problem during treatment since they are only on your skins surface, not absorbed into your bloodstream, but you may want to check with your nurse or doctor on that to make sure.

    Best of luck with treatment

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited October 2021

    According to the NIH "Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage." What you want to do now is let the rads damage the cancer cells. We are counting on the fact that cancer cells are weaker -- less able to withstand the rads than normal cells. For more info about antioxidant supplements and foods, and radiation therapy, and suggested foods to eat during radiation therapy, you might want to visit Food for Breast Cancer. The author cites the scientific support for the recommendations. One of the main points is that while many supplements are questionable, many foods are expected to be safe.

    https://foodforbreastcancer.com/articles/foods-to-eat-and-avoid-during-radiation-treatment

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited October 2021

    I was told no vitamin E skin cream to the radiated area, no related supplements and not even my green tea. It was simply to offer no protection to the cells we were trying so hard to kill. I believe it was ok to resume some of these a few weeks after completing rads but your doctor will know better. Good luck.

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  • ubershop7
    ubershop7 Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2021

    I was told no vitamins or supplements for the same reasons as others have stated. I had a visit with a dietitian and went on the Mediterranean Diet during my rads so eating healthy is encouraged. I would just skip the peptides etc. They did let me take Melatonin, though. If in doubt, ask your doc. You don't want to go through the time and trouble of having radiation and then be doing something that will make it less effective. Ask about the Vitamin C cream, too. What you put on your skin does get absorbed. I went as chemical free as possible. Tossed all my Yves St Laurant make up and skin creams, and now just go with all natural products. Switched to all organic foods. Nothing fried, canned or processed. Guess I got a little paranoid in all this lol! Sounds like you take good care of yourself. Just might need to tweak your routine temporarily.

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  • HersheyKiss
    HersheyKiss Member Posts: 550
    edited October 2021

    During radiation, I was advised to avoid supplements in doses greater than what is in a multivitamin (especially regarding Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A/Beta-carotene, CoQ10, Quercetin, and Lycopene). Topical body creams containing these ingredients were not contraindicated except for the areas being radiated.

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