Vitamins and BC--Too much of a good thing?

Joanne S · 02-08-2008, 01:55 PM

Study: Vitamin supplements may do more harm than good

Many cancer patients take synthetic vitamin supplements as 'extra' protection against their disease, believing large doses of vitamins promote health. But they might be doing more harm than good, researchers say.

A recent review of more than 32 studies conducted between 1999 and 2006 found that large doses of vitamins may actually encourage cancer cells--not healthy cells--to thrive.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/0...ncer-patients/

http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/4/665

chrisy · 02-08-2008, 02:59 PM

Joanne, thanks for posting these - it is definitely a topic that gets and needs a lot of discussion!

I think the "conclusion" of both these articles is true: that it is true that not enough is known about how these substances interact with cancer in the human body. I'm unimpressed with the "review of 32 studies" in that there have been hundreds of studies indicating the opposite is true.
It is definitely an area of controversy, and unfortunately most doctors are not educated in this at all so have less to offer in terms of direction than we would like. Of course, that is because their gold standard of proof is randomized double blind studies which are extremely expensive.

That said, there is a lot of "evidence" regarding use of supplements, and we just have to be diligent in our research and judicious about what we use. I wish we had more answers!

Mary Jo · 02-08-2008, 05:15 PM

Hi Joanne,
Thanks for the information. Always a topic of interest for all of us.

I will hop onto my confusion couch now and read what everyone has to say.

Sending love and peace,

Mary Jo

Patb · 02-08-2008, 05:36 PM

This is a slippery slope for me. I never took any additional vitamins during
chemo and herception , only calcium and magnesium. Now I take more and my oncologist suggested a few things natural instead of prescription
drugs for me. One being Omega-3, red yeast rice and coQ10 for my high
cholesterol. ???? Is that good, I don't know. Then I started with 100% Goji, Acai, Noni and Mangosteen Juice??? I just don't know. I read all this
and get on your confused seat. Maybe nothing is better. I will have complete blood panel done in three weeks. Maybe this will tell the tale.
patb

PinkGirl · 02-08-2008, 06:08 PM

Marejo
What kind of chips and dip are you serving tonight?

Mary Jo · 02-08-2008, 06:20 PM

Hi Pat,
I hear ya. It is such a slippery slope and we all do what each of us thinks it best for ourselves. I mean GEEZ we've all been diagnosed with cancer and will do just about anything in the hopes of preventing a recurrence or keeping the beast at bay.

I, like you, never took anything during chemo, herceptin or radiation. Nothing. Now, 2 1/2 years since my diagnosis I take a few things but not too much. I know fish oil is good no matter what, so I do take that. Also, olive oil, being a natural and proven to be beneficial in many areas of our life, is something I take daily. Along with that I take about 5000 i.u's of D3 (however, now I'm questioning that after the post referring to that being harmful BUT still believing there is way more evidence to the contrary so continue to take that) D3 is another thing that we can't get enough of through food - so I take it. Magnesium and folic acid and a multi also. That's it.

I know we all feel differently about this but my philosphy or belief is this......................eat healthy (and I sure try to do that but of course am human and fail often) I do eat plenty of veggies, some fruits, (blueberries for sure), walnuts and almonds, whole grains and TRY TRY TRY to avoid as many of those sugary foods as possible (that's where my human frailty comes in

) I also exercise daily and drink a lot of water (and an occasional Miller or two or three

) That being said, I still believe that when my Lord decides I'm coming home I'll be leaving. In the meantime - I do all I can to be a healthy, happy person BELIEVING BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT that what we do to ourselves CAN affect the quality of our lives whether we live to be 100 or not. Treating ourselves well can only benefit us all the way around.

Love & Peace,

Mary Jo

Mary Jo · 02-08-2008, 06:28 PM

Pink, I think Bill was bringing the chips and dip?? I'll bring the Miller though.

Joanne S · 02-08-2008, 09:43 PM

I manage to get a vitamin about once a week. Oh---perhaps I just plain bad and don't have much self discipline. I eat everything! Yes everything. You name it, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, oatmeal, cereal, butter, sugar, sour cream, chicken, tuna, fish, beef, potatoes, cheese, pasta, pie and popsicles.
And now you're talking about

. Well is there room for one more on the confusion couch? or do you want me to bring a couch

? or should I bring some guacamole and sit on the floor?

Jo