Vitamins Health Article

Special concerns

There are concerns regarding antioxidant levels during chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Researchers report large amounts of Vitamin C are consumed by cancerous tumors during chemotherapy in studies with mice. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that consumes free radicals and is thought to perhaps interfere with the process of killing cancer cells during chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are advised against taking large amounts of Vitamin C. Another research study has also warned cancer patients about vitamin A and vitamin E during chemotherapy because it has demonstrated a protective effect on cancer cells in mice. These antioxidants may protect not only the normal cells from being destroyed, but also may protect dangerous cancer cells from being destroyed during cancer treatment. The researchers suggest an antioxidant-depleted diet may be prudent during cancer therapy.

Smokers are advised not to consume a diet high in beta-carotene (Vitamin A) because research has shown a link to increased lung cancer incidence.

Alternative and complementary therapies

There are a great many claims about particular vita-min and or antioxidants having beneficial health effects. Proper nutrition with an adequate diet is the best way to obtain vitamins, but a supplement may be required when intake is inadequate. It is important to check with a dietitian or doctor before taking nutritional supplements or alternative therapies because they may interfere with cancer medications or treatments.

Resources

BOOKS

Keane, Maureen, et al. What to Eat If You Have Cancer: A Guide to Adding Nutritional Therapy to Your Treatment Plan. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Company/Contemporary Publishing Group, 1996.

Nixon, Daniel W., M.D., Jane A. Zanca, and Vincent T. DeVita. The Cancer Recovery Eating Plan: The Right Foods to Help Fuel Your Recovery. New York: Times Books, 1996.

Quillin, Patrick, and Noreen Quillin. Beating Cancer With Nutrition—Revised. Sun Lakes, AZ: Bookworld Services, 2001.

PERIODICALS

Singletary, Keith. "Diet, Natural Products and Cancer Chemo-prevention." Journal of Nutrition 130 (2000): 465-6.

Willett, Walter C. "Diet and cancer." The Oncologist 5, no. 5(2000): 393-404.

ORGANIZATIONS

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). 31 Center Dr., Room #5B-58, Bethesda, MD20892-2182. (800) NIH-NCAM, Fax (301) 495-4957.<http://nccam.nih.gov>.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI). Public Inquiries Office:Building 31, Room 10A31, 31 Center Dr., MSC 2580, Betheseda, MD 20892-2580 (301) 435-3848, (800) 4-CANCER. <http://cancer.gov/publications/>, <http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov>, <http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov>.

Crystal Heather Kaczkowski, MSc.

Antioxidant

—A substance that prevents damage caused by free radicals.

Cancer

—A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

Free radicals

—Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that often contain oxygen. They are produced when molecules are split to give products that have unpaired electrons. This process is referred to as oxidation.

Malignant (also malignancy)

—Meaning cancerous; a tumor or growth that often destroys surrounding tissue and spreads to other parts of the body.

Oxidative stress

—A condition in which antioxidant levels are lower than normal. Antioxidant levels are usually measured in blood plasma.