Herbal and Vitamin Supplements for Cancer Patients
Cancer Q&A with Amanda Saldivar, M.S., R.D., L.D., Nutrition Therapy
Q: Will taking herbal supplements or vitamin supplements reduce the chances of my cancer recurring?
A: We recommend that you check with your oncologist before starting on any new supplements. While antioxidants and phytochemicals provide many benefits, receiving these nutrients in the form of supplements means that you’re getting a concentrated dose.
Taking any supplements in very high doses – thinking that ‘more is better’ – may do more harm than good. With respect to herbal supplements, it is important to remember that most medications are derived from herbs. This means that herbal supplements can act as medicines, and therefore interact with another medication that you are currently taking.
A safer way to try to obtain these nutrients is through a diet that emphasizes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which is very unlikely to yield toxic concentrations of nutrients.
If your oncologist does approve your taking a supplement, your next step is to find a reliable source. All supplements are not created equal, because they are not regulated by the FDA. We recommend two online resources: consumerlab.com and usp.org. The organizations sponsoring both sites participate in quality testing of supplements. They also list recalls and manufacturers’ warnings.
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