Why i take supplements

[europa]

Anyone know how to find a good integrative medical professional with oncology experience? I feel like this is a field that is a bit mysterious.

[kvogler]

I heard a news story the other day saying that Gingko Bilboa has been found to cause tumors in rats and that it may be pulled off the shelves. I don't take it so I didn't give it more thought. Of course, everything seems to cause cancer one day and not the next. I'm just enjoying my coffee today because a report came out stating it prevents a recurrence. But give it a week, and it will be causing something.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Please, if you haven't already -- check out the GARLIC, WINE AND CHOCOLATE thread.

More about supplements and foodstuffs that help inflammation, promote tumor cell death (apoptosis) -- and energy medicine!

I am having grand success w/a simple 2 minute ibs technique for -- diarrhea -- if anyone is interested in this.

Plus energy medicine for boosting your energy. Insomnia. And more. Takes a few minutes to do and works almost immediately.

I am amazed. And delighted. Life-changing...

Any interest???

LOVE,
ANDI

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

It occurred to me yesterday, midst OUTLIVING CANCER book (Dr. Robert Nagourney) -- MUST READ! -- that my supplements are in fact my MAINTENANCE THERAPY.

They aided me in not succumbing from all that nasty but effective Taxotere -- gotta just bite the bullet and go for it. My supplements helped keep my ejection fraction up (Arginine 500 immediate and 500 sustained release) actually works. Opens the blood vessels. Keeps the heart strong to withstand it all.

The stuff I still take for energy, just always low on the stuff, truly HELPS BIG TIME.

And though I am nearly 5 yrs off Vit H (Herceptin as I always refer to it, after 10 yrs on it) -- I would not even consider for a second stopping my MAINTENANCE THERAPY aka supplement regimen.

It's a pain in the butt. 2 x a day. Every darn day. Swallowing one at a time, stationed in front of the TV, focusing on whatever rather than the swallowing process -- is a true chore. But I am dedicated. I see the miraculous results. I feel the results. I KNOW I am doing all I can to remain healthy and well, stable, energized, no pains (co enz q10, alpha lipoic acid and carinitine), also Wobenzym 1 pill 1/2 before meals. D. All the Bs. C. Calcium. Omega 3 (RB is surely proud of that).

I go in to detail way above in this thread, for those who are interested in dabbling. I order on line @ Vitacost.com cause their quality is good and their prices discounted. Order $50, easy, and you get free shipping.

HERE'S TO YOU ALL! HEALTH AND WELLNESS!!!

Much love,
ANDI

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

"Fate is a future you didn't try hard enough to change."


- Joe Konrath


HERE'S MY UPDATED SUPPLEMENT LIST as of JANUARY 2014, as some have requested:

ALWAYS BUY CAPSULES VS TABLETS. Much easier to swallow. I order from Vitacost.com Excellent product quality, variety to choose from, easy to navigate website, always at discount prices, delivers quickly.



ALPHA LIPOIC ACID 300 AM/PM -- detoxifies liver, anti-oxidant, neurtralizes free radicals, protects cells from damage, can cross the brain barrier, gives energy, RELIEVES MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN
B-5 -- 500 AM (Pantothenic acid)
B-12 concentrated METHYL CARBALAMIN 1 mg (I take 2
-- ENERGY BOOSTER! ALSO -- Goes to cerebro-spinal fluid to be used by central nervous system. Donates to MYELIN SHEATH that insulates certain nerve fibers!)
CALCIUM 1,000 -- easy to swallow gel capsule -- increases bone density
CARNITINE 500 AM/PM EMPTY STOMACH -- assists in gastro absorption, energizes, lowers triglycerides, RELIEVES MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN, assists in weight loss
C-1,000 w/bioflavonoids 1,000 -- enhances immune system, reduces recurrence of cancer
CO-ENZYME Q-10 -- 150 AM/PM -- HELPS RELIEVE MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN, energizes, good for heart, gums and multiple other reasons!
CHROMIUM PICCOINATE -- 400 mcg ( AM EMPTY STOMACH) -- maintains sugar levels, energizes
D-3 -- 50,000 a week. I take 10,000 over 5 days a week. For healthy bones, blocks breast cancer cell growth, meets your body's organs increasing need for D as we age. BE KIND TO YOUR ORGANS. THEY DEPEND ON YOU.
DL-Phenalalanine 500 AM empty stomach -- mood enhancer
DIM-Plus (Diindolylmethane) 100 AM PM
Evening Primrose Oil 1,300 AM/PM -- relieves hot flashing, down-regulates HER2 by binding to extra cellular HER@ receptor, down regulates internal proliferation (I'VE STOPPED THIS AS OF 12/13 AS MY 25 YRS OF HOT FLASHING ALL DAY LONG HAVE CEASED. A CONCOCTION MY HOLISTIC CHIROPRACTOR GAVE ME HAD SOME PORCINE GLANDULAR CONCENTRATE IN IT. WITHIN 2 MNTHS I WAS HOTNESS-FREE, BUT MY TSH FLATLINED! SO I STOPPED THAT AND NOW ON RARE OCCASION TAKE 500 OF EVENING PRIMROSE OIL WHEN THAT 'IS IT HOT IN HERE OR IS IT JUST ME' FEELING COMES OVER ME...)
DR. BEST FOLATE W/QUATREFOLIC 400 mcg AM on empty stomach -- red cell booster,
heart healthy
E 400 AM/PM (heart healthy, helps relieve hot flashes, immune booster, inhibits metastases, decreases tumor burden)
ECHINACEA W/GOLDENSEAL AM/PM for 1 week then alternate with ASTRAGALUS 1,000 AM/PM
FLAXSEED OIL (ORGANIC) 1,000 AM -- anti-cancer, heart healthy, detoxifies, improves brain functions, helps painful, severely dry eyes (since Taxotere '98-'99)
Gingko Biloba Extract 60 AM/PM -- mental alertness (I'S IN A HOLDING PATTERN ON THIS CAUSE OF ALL THE NOISE AND FUSS ON THE NEWS. NOT COMPLETELY SOLD, SO DIDN'T TOSS MY SUPPLY JUST YET.)
GLUTAMINE 500 AM EMPTY STOMACH -- assists in gastro absorption, energizes
LYSINE 500 AM EMPTY STOMACH -- assists in gastro absorption, energizes, lowers triglycerides
RESVERATROL 250 W/Grapeseed Extract 150 AM AND Green Tea Extract -- anti-oxidant, can cross blood-brain barrier and protect brain and spinal nerves against free radical damage, enhances anti-tumor effect, protects liver, strengthen connective tissue, including heart system, supports immune system and slows aging, anti-cancer, HER2 and tumor blocker
NAC (N-Acetyle Cysteine) 600 AM -- supports healthy liver function, rids body of toxins
NADH -5Co Engzyme 1 (AM/PM) 1/2 hr before eating -- relieves chronic fatigue, boosts mental acuity big time
OMEGA 3 -- 2,126 AM/PM -- suppresses tumors, inhibits their growth, may slow or prevent recurrence of cancer, improves blood glucose, good for muscle/joint pain, anti-inflammatory, down regulates HER2 receptor
Phyto Formula -- 1 scoop w/OJ in AM-- promotes energy BIG TIME, reduces chronic fatigue, boosts immune system and increases mental clarity + 1 banana a day!
Potassium Albion 99 AM/PM -- bone healthy, energizes, healthy heart, prevents stroke
RM-10 IMMUNE SYSTEM PROTEN-ZYME MUSHROOM BLEND w/200 SELENIUM -- AM on empty stomach (regulates the immune system, anti-oxidant, detoxifier, reduces recurrence of bc)
ZINC 30 AManti-cancer
TYROSINE 500 AM EMPTY STOMACH -- boosts energy, helps focus and recover from night of poor sleep

FOR MY IBS ISSUES:
GARDEN OF LIFE PRIMAL DEFENSE PROBIOTIC

WOBENZYM-N -- 2 about 1/2 hr before eating (AM/PM) -- THIS IS ALSO AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND AN IMMUNE BOOSTER

TO HELP SLEEP -- ATIVAN (anti-anxiety, helps thoughts bashing into my skull from the inside), AMBIEN (sleeping pill which also depletes the body of natural melatonin!), MELATONIN, THEANINE (natural calmative)

WE ALL NEED TO SLEEP, TO ALLOW OUR BODY TO HEAL AND REPAIR! And to be able to function well the next day!

I truly do hope this helps you my Sisters...
LOVE AND LIGHT ALWAYS,
ANDI

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I painstakingly highlighted each supplement in yellow. I colored various sections for cohesion.

It seems there's a new format for posting and colors do not transfer anymore!

That is so annoying, I have no words. Our Denise would also be irate, as we both loved to speak in colors...

Sorry.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I would just add -- be careful to read ALL the ingredients of a supplement.

Though they may say METHYL COBALAMINE -- they may add other ingredients like biotin, folate, etc. which I already take and don't want to increase the dosage.

Too often this happens, that I discover when reading the full ingredients that I do not want to purchase that brand of the supplement I am seeking, cause they have created a whole cocktail I do not want in my regimen.

BTW -- this concentrated form of B-12, which protects nerve fibers and energizes is a SUBLINGUAL cherry tablet. Placed under the tongue, and moved around, it acts quickly. I take it in the AM as I don't want to feel energized beyond a certain hour, which I try to reserve for relaxation, winding down, preparing for sleep.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Hi Sisters,

I keep getting PMs asking for my SUPPLEMENT LIST.

Last time I posted an updated version was 2/6 -- in this thread. So please check it out.

And -- what's up with the old way of doing colors in your post??????


Mysterious...

LOVE,
ANDI

[jacqueline1102]

Hello,

Dr. Keith Block is a specialist with integrative medicine and oncology. He is located in Chicago, Illinois. My treatment team supports his work. I have yet to make an appointment but have talked with them. You may also check around your area (the medical schools within your area). DO's support the integrative component of health care and may know other physicians whose speciality is oncology. Hope this helps,

Jackie

[ElaineM]

I believe in integrative medicine too. Does the doctor you mentioned have a website Andrea?
I promised to share the names of some of the supplements I take, so since I visited my naturopathic physician last week and he adjusted my supplements I thought it would be a good time to share the names with you.
Co Q 10
Milk Thistle
Calcium and vitamin D
B 12 (He found a deficiency.)
Maitake mushrooms or I cook with shitake mushrooms
Selenium
baby asprin
Evening Primrose oil
Curcumin or I cook with tumeric
(The active anti inflamatory ingredient in tumeric is curcumin.)
for an explanation of what these supplements and other supplements do follow the link below.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/..._Cancer_01.htm

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

This is an amazingly great link, Elaine...! Thanks for sharing.

I know the importance of selenium (which is included in my RM-10 mushroom blend immune booster). So that's 1 pill I can skip. I think 200 mg is what Dr. Andrew Weill recommends on the selenium.

So glad you had your B-12 level checked. I do this periodically along w/Vit D. I have to request that my docs include those among my blood orders.

Your article speaks of the enormous control we as individuals have within our grasp!! EMPOWERING, RIGHT?!!!

That's how I feel about my supplements. (With IBS issues since chemo, there are many foods I cannot tolerate (digestively speaking). So I can't rely on diet alone. And the large portions of fruits and veggies we are supposed to ingest a day is not so easy even for those who enjoy and can eat them. Again, the supplements supplement my diet. Sounds funny, I know...

I take 1 baby aspirin every night. Very important! (I take a whole one on Sundays.) Guards against stroke too.

I take Green Coffee Bean Extract cause I don't drink coffee (don't even like coffee ice cream!) and I know how important it is to our lives, medically speaking. It lengthens our lives, AND it helps fight against cancer.

I take Resveratrol and Green Tea. I have Lycopenes in my Phyto Formula for my chronic fatigue (w/OJ). I take 10,000 Vit D 5 days a wk and still register in the low end of the normal range. As we age, our bodies' demand for D increases. Our organs need help to function well.

I am missing a few, but I think I can't swallow one more pill -- CAPSULE/SOFT GELS O N L Y...

I do not take soy though I did at one time take soy insoflavones. My nut onc (nutritional oncologist) in NY told me to only take natural soy, no powders or pills. My hot flashes at the time were so drenching horrid, I swear if they sold Estrogen in the vitamin store I would have bought it. (I was on hormone replacement therapy for a very very short period of time, trying to stop menstrual bleeding that was more like hemoraghing (no idea how to spell that!). I am post menopause now. But the hotness continued. The evening primrose oil seems to be controlling it now, after 27 yrs of flashing...

Elaine, and those interested -- I found the following:

Henry Dreher | Omega

I see a 212 - 228 - 0322 phone # on line for Henry Dreher.

Also -- www.henrydreher.com

AND -- came upon --

Naturopathic Medicine for Cancer Treatment | CTCA

HERE'S TO HEALTH & WELLNESS. I'm sipping wine while typing... )

Andi

[ElaineM]

Thanks for the link. I will look at it later.
Oh yeah. Mushrooms have selenium. I decided to look and see which foods have it. According to the website below several kinds of mushrooms are on the list.
http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-...0000000-1.html?
Yes. I agree. We have a certain amount of control over our bodies even with cancer.
Take care.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

SEA LION???? I couldn't possibly... Selenium by pill only...

Andi

[NEDenise]

Andi...
Have I mentioned lately how much you rock!?
I love the story about your boy! I have a giant black lab who came to us through a rescue. They said no one wanted him. He was only 6 months old and had already been abandoned...then rescued twice and returned because he was too aggressive. When I went to meet him, they warned me. Andi, I am not exaggerating when I say that I sat down on the ground, and this 50 pound pile of gentle love crawled right into my lap. It was absolutely love at first sight. Clearly, someone had been mean to him. He was on guard...but he knew his new "mom" the minute he saw me. His foster parents were amazed! Evidently, he normally growled and avoided new people (even them at first) for days before warming up at all!

Is he protective? Absolutely. When new people come into our home, he has to be crated. But on a walk, or at the vet...he couldn't be friendlier. I tell him constantly how beautiful he is, and he answers to Good Boy as well as his real name! Positive energy, and love...the keys to happiness...and HEALTH I hope!

Now...on to less interesting things... ... fortunately,, I don't have any pain. My only brain swelling symptom is that I lose my balance and my hands shake when the pressure increases. All things considered...things could be much worse. Now...don't get me wrong...I'm no martyr...I'd LOVE not to have any symptoms. But compared to what some of our sisters are dealing with...especially our dear Chrisy...I'm blessed.

You've inspired me to talk to my body as it's healing. I've been narrating the decreased swelling. I do it in my best movie narrator voice. As an elementary teacher, I've grown pretty adept at the whole reading in different voices thing. So inside my head, I sometimes get to chuckling as the narration gets more and more elaborate...but then...laughter is my best medicine!

Right now, the swelling is just a stupid, amorphous blob, that doesn't say much. But, the key players on my team are real hardasses. Yesterday, the lead butt-kicker was a Tony Soprano type guy...with a heart of gold, of course...for me it's really about the accent and the way he talks. Today, perhaps the immune boosting echinacea will have YOUR face as it kicks things into gear! Now that should be entertaining!!

Oh, and please don't ever apologize to me for long posts! I love long posts myself...and if people get bored...they don't have to finish reading. And, I like changing fonts and colors too!

Hope you have a day filled with everything that makes you glow!
Denise

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Oh NEDenise... Hi there!

I am thrilled to hear that LOVE conquered all. Sitting down on the ground/floor w/pups and babes is one of the smartest things we can do. Though, it gets harder and harder to get back up, I must admit.

Your positive energy is felt EVERYWHERE. My computer is lighting up from you!

Just have to give you the whole story here. My rescued Maltese survived till 4 mnths w/his bro. The rescue lady wanted them to be taken together cause they'd been through so much together. So -- we took both. And both are now fine. The one I mentioned previously was the sickest, though both had mange. The littler one protected the big lug, who we thought was just dumb. But when all his hair fell out, we realized how truly sick he was. And we changed vets, which meant changing his meds. New vet said, totally wrong tx. My BOYS are now 10. AND -- we just rescued another maybe 1 yr old.

Looks like a Maltese and a Jack Russell got together. He bounces when he walks, little Jack ears. He was emaciated as he didn't fare well lost somewhere in Coral Springs. A cop found him and brought him (and his flea infestation) to the Humane Society. They shaved the poor skinny fella. He wasn't much to look at, but the moment our eyes met, I was in love. He's been with us since Feb. 1... Oh -- and we discovered -- he is deaf! All the more reason to love him. We do hand signals. And use a small flashlight to try to get his attention. Sooooo sweet. We have 3!!!!!!!!!!

So, on to less exciting things, as you say, Denise. I am hoping that the supplements will help your symptoms. Is the hotness still raging? I truly hope you get cut a break with that one at the very least.

I love that you use method acting to tease your body into cooperating. I too use the voices when I read to my grandkids or their classes. I really get into the roles. Fun is so healthy!

The body talks to us. We have to listen. Take its cues. When it is distressed it tells us -- w/sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle -- symptoms. Every ache or pain is telling us we're doing something right, or we need to switch to Plan B.

Keep us all posted re your reactions. When my husband couldn't walk (from the large dosage of statins he absolutely needs to be on) I read about the L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic Acid/Co-Enzyme Q10 combo. In a very very short period of time he was not in pain. Was limber. Getting down on the floor w/my grandsons and playing marbles (as he'd done as a kid). You could see the joy he was having. And the kids were excited to have a playmate.

The glow from that reminds me why I am still here. I don't want to miss a thing. Not the birth of the first grandkid (who's now 16) or the second, third, fourth or fifth. Went to the Bat and Bar Mitzvah of two so far. Ready and eager for lots more to come........................

Andi

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Feeding your Soul / Spirit is as important as taking supplements. Which means giving yourself the gift of -- seeing yourself IN VIVID DETAIL far far far into the future!!!!!!!!! Using VISUALIZATION as Jackie mentions is part of the recipe for success w/canser. Your posts are fabulous, Jackie. So much good stuff. Please -- KEEP IT COMING!!!

I have been using this Guided Imagery technique since '98 -- seeing myself at my then 2 year old first grandchild's Bat Mitzvah (which occurs on your 13th Bday).

I am past the services, at the celebration. I'm standing and clapping with all in attendance, as Josie enters the dance floor. I am surrounded by my husband and family and friends. Radiant. I look great. (If you're going to visualize, you better believe you should be glowingly beautiful, from deep down inside out!)

I LIVED THE DREAM, and then some... My granddaughter is now 16!!!!!!!!!

Elaine -- please update us. I know you take lots of supplements, but were considering more. Did you ever run any by your onc??

Denise -- gosh, I am totally aware of alllllll you are going through, but was still wondering how the hot flashing was going with the Evening Primrose Oil. You should have at least that not to worry about. In fact, I was searching for your latest update. Did I miss it? I think of your witty and wonderful Self all the time!!! Honestly!

I'm presently reading OUTLIVING CANCER -- Cancer Doesn't Grow Too Much, IT DIES TOO LITTLE & Why That Matters (Robert A. Nagourney, MD). I am only 1/4 of the way through and I am quite motivated to keep returning to it when I catch a moment. Fascinating read.

This onc is all about eliminating chemoresistance! You know how I tout CAM -- complimentary alternative medicine...

He believes that cancer is a metabolic disease; a metabolic disorder, a disease of changed energy production. That heart health equals cancer prevention. That appropriate management of blood lipids and maintenance of blood sugar are key.

Exercise induces changes in cellular physiology, effects bone density and well-being associated w/endorphin release which has a profound influence on cellular metabolism.

He speaks of psycho-neuro-immunology (one of its' father Hans Selve, MD) which our Brenda introduced me to many years ago and I readily embraced. It made such sense! Emotional stress causing disability, adrenal hypertrophy, gastric ulceration, immune deficiency -- all byproducts of chronic stress.

The close association between the sympathetic nervous system, the hypotalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the disruption of momeostasis that can PREDISPOSE HUMANS TO SUCH VARIED ILLNESSNES AS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, PARKINGSON'S DISEASE, THE METABOLOIC SYNDROME -- AND CANCER.

In answer to Europa's quest for an integrative doc, Jackie mentioned Dr. Keith Block. Well Dr. Nagourney who wrote this book I am raving about, also speaks of Dr. Block, Medical Director, Block Center for Integrated Cancer Treatment and Director of Integrated Medical Education, University of Illinois College of Medicine. HE IS STATED AS DEFINING A PERSON'S SUCCESSFUL RESPONSE TO ILLNESS AS THE INTERSECTION OF IMPROVED LIFESTYLE, BOOSTING BIOLOGIC COMPETENCE (DOES THAT MEAN SUPPLEMENTS AND EATING HABIT????) AND ENHANCING TREATMENT OPTIONS. REDUCTION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INFLAMMATION.

As Dr. Christiane Northrup says, All bodily dysfunction begins with inflammation!!!

WE MUST BE ECLECTIC. ELECTICISM, THE CAPACITY TO DRAW UPON DISPARATE DISCIPLINES, IS THE WAY TO SUCCESS.

Dr. Nagourney says, I given conventional treatments unconventionally and give unconventional treatments conventionally. Hmmm...

Einstein told us that, "What you cannot see can be".

Dr. Nagourney has had over 20 years experience. During his medical oncology fellowship at Georgetopwn University, he confronted aggressive malignancies for which the standard therapies remained highly unsatisfactory. Responding to an unmet need, he pioneered the development of PERSONALIED CANCER THERAPY, applying a laboratory platform to match patients to therapies based on their unique response profiles. FUNCTIONAL PROFILING in human tumors is his thing.

I have a list of docs he recommends in Huntington Beach, Calif, Greenwich, Ct, NYC, Phoenix, Az, Mesa, Az, San Francisco, Calif, Portola Valley, Calif -- for anyone who lives anywhere near there or is willing and able to travel there. Please, just ask...

[waterdreamer]

Hi Andi,
Please would you share with me, the integrative doctors he recommends in the Los Angeles, or Ventura county areas? Thanks, and I found your supplement list - Thanks.
Fern

[europa]

Hey Andi!

Could you post the docs he recommends in NYC? I'm in DC so that's only a 3 hour train ride.

Thanks!

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Okay Europa, Dr. Nagourney suggests:
Henry Dreher, MA
Cancer Guide Consultations
84 East 3rd Street, #2C
New York, New York 10003
347 - 344 - 7057

" Mr. Dreher conducts research for patients with all types of cancer, providing expert consultation on the most effective cancer treatments available. In phone consultations and written communications, he educates patients on the most promising therapies; guides them through the process of testing of their own tumor tissue for the design of personalized drug therapies; refers them to leading experts in their cancers; and empowers them to develop their own 'team' of oncologic experts.

"He also helps patients to integrate scientifically grounded complementary therapies (nutrition, natural compounds, mind-body medicine, fitness, etc.) with cutting-edge mainstream therapies."

More than 25 years experience as a researcher, educator and patient advocate. Brings a unique body of knowledge to his practice. Has authored nine books. His most recent is Mind-Body Unity: A New Vision For Mind-Body Science and Medicine (John Hopkins University Press)

Please let us all know what you learn and how you're doing. Wishing you Life's best... Keep the faith. Listen to your Inner Voice!

Love,
Andi

[Cat]

Hi! I have a question. I have read so many things regarding nutrition etc. from fasting before during and after chemo to "starve" the cancer cells to adding all sorts of supplements. Is it different in remission vs treatment? I am so frustrated because I want to keep my body healthy and do what I can to beat this thing back. I asked my onc about the idea of not nourishing the cancer during a previous tx and he suggested holding off on supplements around tx days. Now I am reading about other things I was not aware of like selenium etc. and don't know if it's something to worry about if/ until I get to remission. Thanks for all the great info I get from this whole site you ladies are so informative and fun to listen too.