Nutrition from food is always best, superior bioavailability, no unwanted fillers and in a form that the body recognises. I am eating a lot of fish, eggs, meat, yoghurt and cheese, sauerkraut and a few cruciferous veggies, energy dense foods for maximum healing.
However, I always like a just in case, particularly on days when I have little appetite. The research into which supplements I am likely to need more of, which are beneficial and in what form, is an ongoing process.
I have discovered that there are some that you should not take whilst undergoing chemo, rather counterintuitively they result in worse outcomes. The antioxidants (A, C and E) top the list (they may actually protect cancer cells) with B12, Iron, Echinacea, curcumin, St. John’s wort, valerian root, allium powder, Q-10, green tea extract, selenium and some B vitamins all producing worse outcomes in studies. Some of these supplements may put extra strain on bodily organs and some may interfere with lab results.
So, what am I taking?
Apart for the medicinal mushrooms discussed previously, I take
Vitamin D -8000iu plus K2, not strictly a vitamin but a pro-hormone, this is involved in just about every function of the human body. If you live above 42 degrees North you are unlikely to get any from the Sun between October and March, being of the Gothic sensibility makes even Summer sun less beneficial. It is very difficult to ingest the desired levels from diet. I started using this during the Covid nonsense and have felt a variety of benefits, particularly to my immune system. The K2 is important as it stops the Vitamin D from liberating calcium from the bones and depositing it in the arteries.
Kelp, I take this as a natural form of iodine, Western diets are often deficient. It’s role in breast cancer is currently under research. The Japanese have a low incidence of breast cancer and high iodine intake but obviously correlation does not imply causation. On days when I eat a lot of yoghurt, white fish or eggs I don’t take kelp, all are rich in iodine.
Chlorella- This is an algae that may help to remove heavy metals and protect against radiation. It can support the immune system and help to raise the white cell count. It reduces fatigue, helps with dry skin and may assist the gut biome. Again, research is in it’s infancy but there does seem to be a lot of support for this.
Zinc -helps healing from surgery
Magnesium - Helps me sleep! EDIT, I am specifically taking Magnesium Glycinate as Magnesium citrate can ‘loosen the bowels’. Some wonderful Magnesium creams and oils are available too, these can be massaged in before bedtime, these help relax the muscles and are good for those with restless legs. Magnesium can be absorbed through the skin.
I don’t take all of these every day, I adjust for my dietary intake on any day based on the foods I have eaten.
References
Indepent’ish’ website that goes through supplement by supplement giving case studies, background, contraindications etc
https://examine.com/
Why some supplements are ill advised during chemo
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/supplements-before-and-during-chemo-risky
Small study into the benefits of chlorella
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3988967/
Interesting meta-analysis of folic acid, the jury is still out on this. I have decided against taking it.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3278486/
NONE OF THIS IS MEDICAL ADVICE, PLEASE ASK YOUR OWN HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING ANY SUPPLEMENTS.
I AM HAPPY TO BE CORRECTED IF ANY OF MY INFORMATION IS INACCURATE