Chemo
I would be doing high dose antioxidants, preferably starting at least 1 or 2 weeks before starting the chemo. You are likely to get far superior results and go some what to protecting the body.
Just recently I found these interesting papers on antioxidants and conventional therapy from the University of Kansas. Research from 280 peer-reviewed articles and involving 8,521 patients should go some way to reassuring people that antioxidants are a very good idea with conventional therapy!
Vitamin A which many people are afraid of, seems to be very good, and one of the cheaper supplements. Injections of about 50,000 IU intramuscularly before chemotherapy would be even more effective. Cancer cells seem to deplete the body of vitamin A, so it’s unlikely that one would get too much. Some studies used 300-500,000 IU oral vitamin A (not beta-carotene).
Examples:
In an observational study of 40 patients with stage IIIB or stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, patients were treated with cisplatin (120 mg/m2 divided into 5 days), vindesine (3 mg/m2 on days 1 and 5), 5-flourouracil (500 mg/m2 on days 1 and 5), beta-interferon (1 million IU 3 times a week), and retinyl palmitate (50,000 IU twice a day). Vitamin A produced fewer side effects, a higher response rate, and increased survival compared to historical controls.
In an observational study of 36 patients with stage IV breast cancer, patients were treated with cyclophosphamide, 5- flourouracil, 4-epidoxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone every 3 weeks for 6 courses, followed by 2 courses of methotrexate, mitomycin-C, and mitoxantrone. Treatment continued with tamoxifen and vitamin A. Sixty-four percent of patients had a clinical response, 19% had stable disease, and side effects were minimal. Median overall survival was 32 months. These results compare favorably with historical controls.
Testing blood vitamin A levels about once every 1 or 2 months is probably a good idea for peace of mind. In my experience, so far I haven’t seen anything over 60 ug/dl (60%), more usual was only 40-50 ug/dl.
Antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy and can increase kill and increase survival, part 1
http://integrativemed.kumc.edu/documents/Antioxidants-Nutrients-Chemotherapy.pdf
Antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy and can increase kill and increase survival, part 2
http://integrativemed.kumc.edu/documents/Antioxidants-Nutrients-Chemotherapy-2.pdf
Links to all articles http://integrativemed.kumc.edu/ivvitaminc.htm
Please learn more about your health care! Education is key!