Foods and TX

[Rockerforlife]

Why is it when a person is on chemo for cancer they are encourged to take lots of antioxadants and vitamins and herbs to lesson the sx,BUT  when taking chemo for hep c we are told to  advoid herbs and stuff...me myself an I thing its ok to be careful when taking "nutrients"while on the combo tx,BUT again,i think sometimes it may blown out of proportion...i wish i knew why the disparancies (spelling) in the two treatments?.i think th milk thistle is one that sholud not be used while on tx...better safe than sorry...anyone have a cool list of foods and stuff to take while on tx...i believe in making tx less taxing on our body by eatin the best foods possible.

[Marcia2202]

There are many sites suggesting to take antioxidants and vitamins. Abbas posted a link on one of my threads some days ago. Here it is
http://www.hepcchallenge.org/choices/supplements.htm

After reading some, I have come up with the following dose of supplements, which I found appropriate for myself:

ebA Multivitamin containing:

Vitamin C         75 mg       125%
Vitamin D                                   400 IU     100%
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)      30 IU     100%
Thiamin (B1)                          1.5 mg     100%
Riboflavin (B2)                          1.7 mg     100%
Niacin                                  20 mg     100%
Vitamin B6                            2 mg     100%
Folic Acid                                400 mcg    100%
Vitamin B12                          6 mcg       100%
Pantothenic Acid                    10 mg       100%

plus I will take these

Alpha-Lipoic Acid 450 mg
Selenium 200 mcg
N-Acetyl Cysteine 900 mg
Glutamine 10 mg
Vitamin C 1000 mg
Vitamin E 400 IU  ? (am gonna ask my doc about the right dose)

Of course I will verify this with my doctor first.

Marcia

There is also a lot of info on the uk site hepctrust.org.uk

[Rockerforlife]

Looks like you have everything covered,minerals and vitiman that is....i think i may try an indvidual approach to my vitamins and minerals this time...this way i can choose exactly what i want....this way cann be more expensive tho.but i do like the eba combo...good price too....il think im gonna order some...i gave them call and they responded back.

[Rockerforlife]

I dont mean to sound alarming but my Doc says not to take certain supplements...like some you just

Alpha-Lipoic Acid 450 mg
Selenium 200 mcg
N-Acetyl Cysteine 900 mg
Glutamine 10


he says its ok to take the simple stuff like vit c and e...sometimes i feel like im so confused too...its hard to belive the combo tx drugs react badly to some supplements...guess ill have to live on organic whey and alfalfa sprouts.

[Rockerforlife]

Water: 30.08 g

Calories: 10

Protein: 1.32 g

Carbohydrates: 1.25 g

Fiber: 0.8 g

Sugars: 0.06 g

Total Fat: 0.23 g

Saturated Fat: 0.023 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 0.018 g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.135 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Micronutrients:
Calcium: 11 mg

Iron: 0.32 g

Magnesium: 9 mg

Phosphorus: 23 mg

Potassium: 26 mg

Sodium: 2 mg

Zinc: 0.30 mg

Vitamin C: 2.7 mg

Thiamin: 0.025 mg

Riboflavin: 0.042 mg

Niacin: 0.159 mg

Pantothenic Acid: 0.186 mg

Vitamin B6: 0.011 mg

Vitamin B12: 0 mcg

Folate: 12 mcg

Vitamin A: 51 IU

Vitamin E: 0.01 mg

Vitamin K: 10.1 mcg

Phytonutrients:
beta Carotene: 29 mcg

beta Cryptoxanthin: 2 mcg

Lycopene: 0 mcg

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: 0 mcg

[Rockerforlife]

http://nutrition.about.com/od/fruitsandvegetables/p/alfalfasprouts.htm

[Rockerforlife]

Ya know its not really that difficult yo get all your nutrition from just simple foods like sprouts green drinks and whey ...like i said befor ,that green rx powder has everything...im getting butterflies in my tummy thinkn bout the next tx coming up on july 25....wonder if ill shake rattle and roll like i did after my very first shot....im ready and waiting to do some major battle....full steam ahead.

[Rockerforlife]

BTW...ill be doing a 72 week round of duty.

[jmjm530]

I'll take a stab at your question, although nothing scientific here.

When you're on "regular" chemo, you're not trying to pump up the immune system and/or defeat a pesky virus. You're using the chemo to target cancerous cells as I understand it.

So, perhaps the difference is that on SOC the doctors are concerned that addititives such as some herbs (milk thistle to use your example) might interfere with the viral eradication process.

My doctor, as many here, encouraged me to take a multi-vitamin without iron, but that's it. Doesn't mean other additives might be helpful, but again, perhaps the concern is that they could be counter-productive. Certainly very little in the way of studies here.

-- Jim

[Rockerforlife]

Great answer i must admit....i thank you....it makes sense what you said....you the man.

[jmjm530]

Thanks for compliment, but did have some second thoughts after posting along the lines that the same argument could be made eradicating cancerous cells, i.e. that some supplements could feed the cancer, for example. Still, I think because HCV is viral -- and cancer isn't (or is it, depending on what you read :)) -- there is a difference and that might lead doctors to be more cautious. The possiblity also exists that more doctors and more funding are involved with cancer than HCV, so perhaps they have more of a track record with certain addititives. An interesting question, Rock, as many of yours are --  and good to see you around these days!

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Probably not too many around who remember -- and I certainly don't want to start a mini-riot :), nor am I suggesting anything -- but I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for those Sunday Morning Prayers you posted way back when I was treating. I don't consider myself overly-religious, but those prayers meant a lot during treatment and I'm sure they meant a lot to others as well.

-- Jim

[Rockerforlife]

Not  a problem my brother....speaking of prayers...heres one for everyday

Please Forgive Me


Dear Father God,
I know that I've done wrong through my thoughts, my actions, and the things that I've said, sometimes by mistake and sometimes on purpose. I have gone my own way and not put you at the center of my life. I am very sorry and ask that you please forgive me. I thank you that I can ask you this because I truly believe that your Son, Jesus, died in my place and, through Him, I have access to you. Please help me to follow you more closely every day and live a life which gives glory back to you. I pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.

[mikesimon]

Oh boy.

[Rockerforlife]

Amen,not Oh Boy.

[mikesimon]

Yababdababdoo....... Oh boy!!

[mikesimon]

Yabadabadoo Oh Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jdwithhcv]

Amen to your Oh boy!!!

[mikesimon]

Thanks JD - I'm feeling it - the spirit, that is. Mike

[jdwithhcv]

During cancer chemo most patients are encouraged to ingest calories any way they can.  Nobody much cares what food you eat, the point is to take in nourishment and keep it down.  That's complicated enough!!!

[jdwithhcv]

I feel it too and its making the hairs on my neck stand up - NOT in a good way.
jd

[mikesimon]

Okay - I do understand. I gotta grab a soy shake with a broccoli swirl. Mike

[Rockerforlife]

You can actually get broccoli extract now....they say it kills cancer cells...did you all know most pharma drugs are made from plants and herbs....i wouldnt be suprised if combo tx drugs were made from a local roadside weed.

[meki]

Hey - everyone is entitled to their choice of --- or not of ---- belief.

When someone expresses something - such as a view on religion - drugs - preferences for blonds, brunettes, raven-haired, red heads ---- each person must choose for themselves whether that expression works for 'them'.

I don't give anyone grief unless they are trying to HURT someone -- then grief is deserved.

Personally - I prefer an expression of kindness and humbleness - vs. outright aggressive anger.

Please be kind to everyone folks. We ALL need each other. We don't have to agree on everything - but we are bonded by this virus --- and getting along will surely be our survival instead of our destruction.

Meki

[Trinity4]

I'm going to make a toaster pastry, drink a cup of Starbuck's decaf - eat two riba pills followed by an injection to toxic waste.  Sinfully delicious!!