Supplements Cancer Patients Should Discuss with Their Physicians

Certain supplements may help decrease cancer progression. There is tremendous controversy about using supplements during chemotherapy or during radiation treatments, but there are useful options for some patients after completing cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Patients with cancer should speak to their physicians regarding the option of adding the following to standard medical therapy. I do not recommend you use these on your own without discussing your treatment regimen with your physician as the worst thing to do would be to unintentionally block your current therapy from working:

• Curcumin 4-6 grams once daily orally (Dr. Aggarwal, MD Anderson)
• Inositol plus (Ip6) (Hexaphosphate) 40 mg/kg of body weight once daily orally (Dr. Irana Vucenik)
• EGCg 250 mg twice daily orally
• Maitake mushroom extracts may also provide benefit for certain cancer types 1 mg/kg of body weight orally of the MD fraction (Altern Med Rev 2002;7(3):236-239)

In addition, confirm that vitamin D levels are in the normal range (40-70 considered optimal) as these levels are associated with preventing cancer growth.

It is worth noting that cancer cells have limited metabolism and can only use glucose for energy, while human cells can use many substrates for energy. Many studies suggest that cancer cells cause insulin resistance, increasing glucose blood levels and stimulating their growth. Hence, if someone has terminal cancer and their goal is simply to be comfortable, one doesn’t need to restrict food intake and living it up with food might make good sense. Yet, if the patient has the possibility of their cancer being cured, or extending their life substantially, then the aim should be for excellent blood sugar control (level <90 mg/dl) by restricting all refined carbohydrate intake, including products made with sugar, flour (like bread), potatoes, white rice, and more than 1 serving of alcohol daily.

The keys to an anti-cancer diet would follow a low glycemic index food plan with extra lean protein, long chain omega-3 fats, low glycemic vegetables, berries, nuts, and legumes. Herbs and spices should be used extensively, especially garlic, ginger, turmeric and curry blends, rosemary, and other Herbs de Provence. There is also some evidence that unsweetened pomegranate juice is of benefit, in particular for prostate cancer.