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Old 08-26-2010, 10:37 AM   #1
bejuce
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Coconut water

Does anyone know whether drinking coconut water daily may be beneficial to us? I drank a fair amount of it while on vacation in Brazil (my home country) and have been buying it here at Whole Foods. I'm aware of the high potassium levels, but am concerned about the sugar.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Marcia
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Diagnosed on 02/18/09 at 38 with a huge 12x10 cm tumor, after a 6 month delay. Told I was too young and had no risk factors. Found swollen node during breastfeeding.
March-August 09: neo-adjuvant chemo, part of a trial at Stanford (4 DD A/C, 4 Taxotere with daily Tykerb), loading dose of Herceptin
08/12/09 - bye bye boobies (bilateral mastectomy)
08/24/09 - path report shows 100 % success in breast tissue (no cancer there, yay!), 98 % success in lymphatic invasion, and even though 11/13 nodes were still positive, > 95 % of the tumor in them was killed. Hoping for the best!
September-October 09: rads with daily Xeloda
02/25/10 - Cholecystectomy
05/27/10 - Bone scan clear
06/14/10 - CT scan clear, ovarian cyst found
07/27/10 - Done with Herceptin!
02/15/11 - MVA-BN HER-2 vaccine trial
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10/01/11 - Bone scan and CT scan clear, fatty liver found
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Old 08-26-2010, 02:50 PM   #2
ElaineM
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Wink Re: Coconut water

My doctor, a runner introduced it to me for the potassium, but I don't know about the sugar.
However, if a person has diarrhea coconut would not be a good idea. I suppose if someone has constipation it might be good. Pacific Islanders told me too much coconut can cause diarrhea.
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Old 08-27-2010, 06:34 AM   #3
Rich66
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Re: Coconut water

You mean coconut water sweetened with sugar?
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Old 08-27-2010, 07:33 AM   #4
bejuce
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Re: Coconut water

No, just fresh coconut water out of a coconut or one of the fresh brands sold at Whole Foods like Vita Coco.
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ER+ (30%)/PR-/HER-2+, stage 3

Diagnosed on 02/18/09 at 38 with a huge 12x10 cm tumor, after a 6 month delay. Told I was too young and had no risk factors. Found swollen node during breastfeeding.
March-August 09: neo-adjuvant chemo, part of a trial at Stanford (4 DD A/C, 4 Taxotere with daily Tykerb), loading dose of Herceptin
08/12/09 - bye bye boobies (bilateral mastectomy)
08/24/09 - path report shows 100 % success in breast tissue (no cancer there, yay!), 98 % success in lymphatic invasion, and even though 11/13 nodes were still positive, > 95 % of the tumor in them was killed. Hoping for the best!
September-October 09: rads with daily Xeloda
02/25/10 - Cholecystectomy
05/27/10 - Bone scan clear
06/14/10 - CT scan clear, ovarian cyst found
07/27/10 - Done with Herceptin!
02/15/11 - MVA-BN HER-2 vaccine trial
03/15/11 - First CA 15-3: 12.7 and normal, yay!
10/01/11 - Bone scan and CT scan clear, fatty liver found
now on Tamoxifen and Aspirin


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Old 08-27-2010, 08:54 PM   #5
lexigirl
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Re: Coconut water

Hi bejuce,

I read your post earlier today. I have no knowledge of the coconut water, but I had to run into WalMart and I saw the VitaCoco on the shelf. I am curious to see what it tastes like so I bought some. I'll let you know how I like it after I try some. I thought it might be good for my daughter who is playing hs volleyball now.

Lexi
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Old 08-29-2010, 12:21 AM   #6
harrie
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Re: Coconut water

Lexi,
From what I have heard about coconut water, it is an excellent souce of replacement of electrolytes for athletes. It is also very low in sugar.
This coconut water is not to be confused with coconut milk which is used for many desserts.
I drink coconut water after workouts sometimes. It has minimal flavor to it. I consider it much better then something like Gatorade which is loaded with sugar.
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*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE

1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen

2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy

2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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Old 08-29-2010, 07:42 PM   #7
lexigirl
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Re: Coconut water

I tried the coconut water. It does have a minimal taste to it, but I really think I felt a bit more energy after I drank it. I don't know if it is coincidence, but later in the evening I was thinking that I had felt pretty good energy wise that day. I don't know if it was the serving of coconut water for sure, but I will continue drinking it to see. And your right, the sugar isn't bad at all.

Lexi
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Old 08-29-2010, 08:04 PM   #8
candlegranny
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Re: Coconut water

i have taken coconut capsules before i was diagnosed with BC. could those be good for you?
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DX jan 19,2010 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Grade 2 Age 56
modified radical masectomy on LEFT side 29 Jan 2010
2.7 cm 18/31 nodes
mets to just above collar bone ( 2 nodes showed in PET)
ER- PR - / Her2 +++ (IHC) Stage 111 C
ki-67 60% nottingham score 7
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finished taxotere july 12, 2010
finished herceptin 16 May 2011
PET Scan 9 Aug 10, cancer in neck is gone! NED
33 Rads completed 1 Oct 2010
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MUGA 59% 3/22/10 -63% 9/23/10 - 51% 1/4/11 - 55% 2/17/11 - 50% 8/3/11
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Old 08-30-2010, 10:34 AM   #9
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Re: Coconut water

Never heard of coconut water, but I'm going to try it now. Thanks Bejuce!
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3/35/2009 - Diagnosed, age 39
5/7/09 - Mastectomy and reconstruction started. Two tumors found. Tumors were side by side. DCIS tumor was 2.8 cm, ER-, PR-, grade 2. Invasive tumor was 1.1 cm, poorly differentiated, grade 3, ER+90%, PR+95%, HER2+3. Thankfully, no node involvement.
5/29/09 - Second surgery resulting from difficulty healing from mastectomy.
6/2/09 - Began Herceptin treatments
6/23/09 - Began Taxotere and Carboplatin treatments along with Herception every 3 weeks.
10/06/09 - Completed Taxotere and Carboplatin - Yeah!!!
10/27/2009 - Herceptin maintenance and began Femara
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2/2010 - Body rejected saline implant
3/18/2010 - Second stage reconstruction using silicone implant
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Old 09-14-2010, 11:42 AM   #10
christie
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Re: Coconut water

hi, i had coconut water daily during my chemo, it worked wonders, i didnt throw up even once, no heart burn, i was perfectly normal through out my chemo. A big glass of it everday
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Old 09-14-2010, 12:27 PM   #11
ElaineM
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Wink Re: Coconut water

I am still drinking the coconut water. I noticed my potassium levels have increased a little. That is a good thing, because I take diuretics for blood pressure issues.
Diuretics tend to decrease potassium.
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Lucky 13 !! I hope so !!!!!!
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Old 09-16-2010, 04:44 AM   #12
pibikay
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Re: Coconut water

I do not know how I missed this thread.Here in India Coconut Water (we call it tender coconut water) is a universal accompaniment with food after anu surgery or prolonged treatment.It is supposed to clean your liver and urinary tract as a cooler.But it increases urine outflow .My wife was regularly taking it ever since she started her chemo.we have it in our garden My wife has stopped taking it for the past 3 days and her urine outflow has decreased
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Metstatic Breast Cancer Stage 4
Left breast cauliflower 25x20cm
ossousmetstatis in vertbrae secondaries L4=L5secondary
nodules in both liver lobes secondary
Diagnosed 10th March 2010
ER/PR-ve
Her 2 neu +++
Taxotrne Zylotec started 16th March
Herceptin added 5th April.9th Herceptin over on 20th Sep '10.Started on Tykerb and Xeloda on 22nd Oct2010TYKERB 4 TAB A DAY XELODA 4 TAB A DAY ONE WEEK ON ONE WEEK OFFZoletrust infusion every 4 months.Lesion in Brain 3D CRT Radiation started on 1st Feb'12 for 20 days ,5 days a week for 4 weeks.Devloped a small lump in breast.Xeloda stopped from 11th April '12.On Taxol.After 3 cycles of Taxol Taxol stopped.Back to Xeloda regime from 3rd July
Herceptin started again on 27th Dec 2012.Xeloda stopped Navelbin added on 7th February 2013.Now on Tykerb Herceptin and Navelbin
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Old 09-16-2010, 07:31 AM   #13
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Re: Coconut water

Hi bejuce,

I have been drinking coconut water for over a year and get it at my local health food store, as that has the best prices, and I love it. I find it refreshing and I like the added potassium in it, because I sometimes get cramps in my feet when exercising. It seems that the various companies have slight distinctions in taste. So, drink up. I think you've picked a good beverage.

Vicki
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Bloom-Richardson score 8/9, P53+ 60-70%, Ki-67+ 30-40%
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Old 11-27-2010, 06:27 PM   #14
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Post Re: Coconut water

Just wanted to add, since I ran across this mention of a study in rats, that young coconut juice may have estrogenic properties:

http://www.healthyfellow.com/278/the...coconut-water/

http://www.hh.um.es/Abstracts/Vol_24/24_6/24_6_667.htm

Wikipedia seems to back this up:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut

I have not found anything similar related to virgin coconut oil or coconut meat -- and I use both occasionally.
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Old 11-28-2010, 10:18 PM   #15
harrie
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Re: Coconut water

Oh, that was interesting info about the estrogen like characteristics in young coconuts.
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*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE

1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen

2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy

2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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Old 11-28-2010, 10:29 PM   #16
onestep
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Re: Coconut water

I am seeing a nutritionist periodically as I go through treatment and he mentioned at the first visit that coconut juice is very beneficial to drink.
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Old 11-29-2010, 04:37 PM   #17
imdavidson
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Re: Coconut water

I don't know how it is at other stores but at Whole Foods, if you pick out a fresh coconut in their produce section, they'll make a hole in the top for you so that you can drink the water from it with a straw. I love it.

Idelle
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Old 11-30-2010, 04:09 AM   #18
pibikay
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Re: Coconut water

I have coconuts in our garden and so a one piece of advice to imdavisdon. If the coconut is not fresh (2-3 days after being plucked)the water inside will not be sweet and it will upset your system
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huband of Hema
Metstatic Breast Cancer Stage 4
Left breast cauliflower 25x20cm
ossousmetstatis in vertbrae secondaries L4=L5secondary
nodules in both liver lobes secondary
Diagnosed 10th March 2010
ER/PR-ve
Her 2 neu +++
Taxotrne Zylotec started 16th March
Herceptin added 5th April.9th Herceptin over on 20th Sep '10.Started on Tykerb and Xeloda on 22nd Oct2010TYKERB 4 TAB A DAY XELODA 4 TAB A DAY ONE WEEK ON ONE WEEK OFFZoletrust infusion every 4 months.Lesion in Brain 3D CRT Radiation started on 1st Feb'12 for 20 days ,5 days a week for 4 weeks.Devloped a small lump in breast.Xeloda stopped from 11th April '12.On Taxol.After 3 cycles of Taxol Taxol stopped.Back to Xeloda regime from 3rd July
Herceptin started again on 27th Dec 2012.Xeloda stopped Navelbin added on 7th February 2013.Now on Tykerb Herceptin and Navelbin
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Old 11-30-2010, 09:12 AM   #19
imdavidson
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Re: Coconut water

Good to know, thank you.
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Co-author (with Dr. Dan Silverman at UCLA) of "Your Brain After Chemo: A Practical Guide to Lifting the Fog and Getting Back Your Focus" (Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2009). Amazon. www.YourBrainAfterChemo.com.

ER/PR negative/HER-2 positive
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Old 12-08-2010, 11:36 PM   #20
harrie
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Re: Coconut water

At our local farmers mkt you can just buy a coconut, they will poke a hole in it and you can drink the water. Coconuts are very abundant here. (obviously...hahaha!!)
And over here, if we find a coconut, we can crack it open and drink the coconut juice and eat the meat. If it is too old to eat, you will know right away by the smell. We never gave it a thought as to how many days old it might be.
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*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE

1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen

2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy

2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara

Last edited by harrie; 12-08-2010 at 11:38 PM..
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