Certain Supplements Before & During Chemotherapy May Be Risky

Thanks for the information. However, THIS was very confusing:

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• People taking omega-3 fatty acids both before chemotherapy and during chemotherapy were 67% less likely to have a recurrence.

"Although this is an observational study and the number of users of supplements was fairly small, the results are compelling," said Christine Ambrosone, chair of the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and lead author of the study. "Patients using any antioxidant before and during chemotherapy had an increased risk of the breast cancer returning and, to a lesser degree, had an increased risk of death. Vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acid use was also associated with poorer outcomes." '

The lead author says omega-3 use was associated with poorer outcomes. The summary bullet points say that omega-3 fatty acids use indicated a lower risk of recurrence. Which is it?

The study is murky about the dosages of the supplements. If they say a multivitamin does not affect outcome then low dose supplements are probably safe. I take supplements in low doses only to replace what is missing from my diet, rather than one multivitamin because the multi has certain nutrients I want to avoid, such as iron and calcium that is not chelated which can cause GI symptoms. So I essentially separate out only the nutrients I need into individual pills.

It stands to reason then that the participants taking supplements may have been high dosing, as most supplements are sold in high doses, but the study doesn't say. This is further supported by the researchers conclusion that diet is the best way to obtain nutrients as it more efficiently avoids overdosing.

My MO said absolutely no anti-oxidants during chemo and I obeyed her. The rationale is, to oversimplify “what protects the good cells in your body will also protect the cancerous cells”. It makes sense to me.

Does anyone have updates from providers on the use of antioxidants and the potential for cancer metastasis? I've read a few research articles that said they may enable the motility of cancer cells, ironically, which increases the risk of metastasis. But, opinions are divided. It's very frustrating for me because I've started a few antioxidants not for cancer prevention but to help other conditions I've acquired as a result of aging, and where my diet is lacking. I take a half dose of cod liver oil because it makes a huge difference in my joint pain - there is a lot of osteoarthritis in my family tree. I used Vitamin C 500 mg, per my nutritionist's recommendation, for about 4 months to help heal esophagitis from GERD and because my diet is short of it, because I watch my blood sugar. Also, it made a positive difference in my blood sugar levels which I monitor because I've been flirting with pre-diabetes for the past 1.5 years. I haven't resumed the Vitamin C but I'd like to. Then, my vision is now deteriorating so I thought I'd try out a lutein / zeaxanthin / astaxanthin supplement for eye health, which are carotenoids, several times a week. But, now I'm reading contradictory info on how these antioxidants work - they may prevent cancer, but if you already have some roaming cancer cells, which I think we all do, they can help them become more mobile and cause metastases. I'm not going to give up the cod liver oil because it makes me feel so much better. But I"m not sure what to do about the other supplements. It seems like if I fix one thing, I break two others. :-(

Great site, thanks for the info -