Dietary Supplements During Treatment and Recovery

If a little is good for you, a lot is better. Right? Not when it comes to vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements during cancer treatment.

The ACS document, Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors, devotes a long paragraph to the controversial and emotionally charged issue of dietary supplements.

Many patients consider taking dietary supplements such as high-dose vitamins, often at the urging of family or friends. Those patients who take supplements often enjoy a sense of increased control over their health. Unfortunately, this sense of control is an illusion.

The problem during cancer treatment is that such supplements may diminish the effectiveness and/or increase the toxicity of anti-cancer therapies.

The Guidelines' conclusion:

With compelling evidence against the use of select supplements in certain oncology populations, health care professionals and survivors need to proceed with caution. If interested in supplementation, individuals should first assess whether they are nutrient deficient, avoid ingesting supplements that exceed more than 100% of the Daily Value, and consider limiting dietary supplement use to therapeutic interventions for chronic conditions such as osteoporosis and macular degeneration, for which scientific evidence supports the likelihood of benefits and low risk of harm.

As a Healthy Survivor, first do no harm. If interested in taking dietary supplements, first talk with your physicians about the risks and benefits for you before making a final decision. If you decide to take supplements against your physicians' advice, let your physicians know -- a task much easier said than done.

Comments

[Bill Kleine]

It is so hard to resist the anecdotal "evidence" when it comes to life and death. After all, Linus Pauling was a brilliant scientist and he said... I resist my friends and listen to my doctors. If there was evidence mega-doses of vitamin C would cure me, do I really believe my doctor wouldn't be the first to recommend it?

[Pat Johnson]

After radiation and chemo last Fall, my hair is growing back very slowly and has thinned out. My hairdresser suggested taking 5 mg of Biotin daily - it has helped my nails to be healthier and while it doesn't make your hair grow any faster, it does look healthier and a little thicker. Also, when I went for a yearly eye exam, my doctor told me to take two fish oil tablets each day to help alleviate dry eyes (which has helped). These are two dietary supplements that have helped me (I also take a Centrum Silver vitamin and 1200 mg. of calcium a day). Also trying to eat well and lose more weight (progress, but slow!) I am a 6 year healthy survivor of Stage IV lung cancer currently NED and count my blessing every day!

With prayers and ALWAYS with hope -- Pat J

[Jan Baird Hasak]

Well said. I was very careful about supplements as I went through treatment. I didn't want to offend the feelings of well-meaning friends, so sometimes I would lie to them that I took the supplements they recommended when I really didn't. It's not healthy to lie like that, but I don't like conflict. We cancer patients must learn how to assert ourselves when our health is on the line. xx

[Mice exterminator nyc]

Well said. Even I think doctors should always be consulted before taking any supplements.

[Jake Ostler]

I agree, it seems like a lot of people get a little carried away taking vitamins and supplements to recover from workouts and other things. I have found that a lot of after workout recovery supplements do help, but there is no need to take more than what is recommended. (http://www.theafterworkout.com/blogs/news)