Supplement your diet

Optimize your health

Why are Supplements
Worth Thinking About?

Before considering dietary supplementation of any sort, consult with your healthcare provider. Blood work is often the first step in determining your body’s own deficiencies. Together with your physician, you will be able to determine the best course of action. It is a very individual process.

After you receive your cancer diagnosis, it’s likely that you’ll be hearing a lot about dietary supplements, and it’s normal to have questions. For instance, what exactly are supplements? Or, how will I know which ones I should consider taking?

When faced with a serious cancer treatment, supplements can be a great help. The can boost your immune system, fill gaps, and help prevent further disease. Although there are many beneficial vitamins and minerals to consider, we’ve put together a short list you may want to research further. Remember: Supplements exist merely to complement a healthy and nutritious diet, not to replace it.

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Supplement your body with the following:

Daily Probiotic

Daily Probiotic

With 70 to 80 percent of the immune system located in the digestive tract, it isn’t surprising that the gut microbiome is key to how we feel. When our gut bacteria are properly in balance we have a thriving, beneficial microbiome supporting our immune system.

A number of studies have found that probiotics can help us maintain a healthy gut, which can be very beneficial for cancer patients. Associated benefits include: reducing the frequency and severity of antibiotic-associated diarrhea; alleviating abdominal pain and bloating; improving immune system function; and boosting white blood cells.

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Vitamin D

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is at the top of many lists for fighting cancer. There is so much research associated with having enough vitamin D in your blood to help prevent illness and boost your immune system. Some studies have shown that adequate vitamin D levels help your system react better to chemotherapy and give you a better outcome during treatment. Vitamin D has also been shown to assist in the prevention of certain cancer types and reduce cancer cell growth. Your body naturally produces vitamin D in response to sun exposure on bare skin, but, in many cases, we still need additional supplementation.

In 2016, a landmark study published in PLOS ONE (peer-reviewed open access scientific journal by the Public Library of Science) found that women over age 55 with blood concentrations of vitamin D higher than 40ng/ml had a 67% lower risk of cancer compared to women with levels lower than 20ng/ml.

Caution
Before supplementing with vitamin D, get your blood levels checked for deficiency. Too much vitamin D can lead to toxicity, so it is imperative you work with your doctor.
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Curcumin

Curcumin

Curcumin is a derivative of turmeric and the pigment that gives the curry spice its yellow-orange color. Curcumin appears to be universally helpful for just about every type of cancer and has the most evidence-based literature supporting its use against cancer.

In addition to reducing inflammation in the body, some studies have shown this supplement actually stops cancer cells from dividing. Curcumin has also been noted to trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which is the body’s natural and necessary way of ridding itself from damaged cells. Researchers remain committed to investigating the countless benefits of turmeric as it continues to show incredible promise in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Caution
Curcumin may interact unfavorably with certain medications such as blood thinners. Always speak with your doctor to determine if this supplement is safe for you before using.
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Vitamin C

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that contains ascorbic acid, which helps in regulating the production of platelets in the body. Vitamin C is amazing in preventing damage to our platelets from free radicals. This can be a real concern when undergoing chemotherapy. It also plays a role in helping the body absorb iron.

Since our body is unable to naturally store vitamin C, taking supplements may help maintain adequate levels. Eating foods rich in C such as oranges, lemons, tomatoes, spinach, chili pepper, kiwi, and broccoli is another option for keeping your levels up.

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Zinc

Zinc

Zinc is the second most prevalent mineral in the human body, second only to iron. It is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges and eliminates cell damaging free radicals. A zinc deficiency can lead to a range of different cancer types as well as other diseases. It is an essential element of immune system health and critical to both T-cell production and function. It’s also key to thymus gland function, which is a crucial immune system component.

With all of its powerful benefits, zinc can protect normal cells during chemotherapy. Some everyday food choices that contain zinc include beef, beans, lamb, oysters, crab, dark meat, turkey, wheat germ, and pumpkin seeds. Dark chocolate, garlic, sesame seeds, watermelon seeds, squash, chickpeas, and spinach also contain zinc. Consider adding some of these to your diet.

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Selenium

Selenium

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to improve immune response. Studies have revealed that selenium increases activity of natural T-killer cells and helps to build up white blood cells. Selenium also helps with inflammation, and is vital in the production of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which helps detoxify the body.

Fruits and vegetables are a good source of selenium. Brazil nuts and garlic are rich in selenium as well. However, the amount of selenium in any particular fruit or vegetable is dependent on the soil in which it was grown. Because of this, people who live in areas where this precious mineral is depleted may require more selenium than they can reasonably consume via whole food sources.

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Milk thistle

Milk thistle

Milk thistle assists in the detoxification of your liver, which helps it to function optimally. This is important when undergoing traditional cancer treatment so the chemicals can be flushed out of your system as quickly as possible. Milk thistle also has many positive effects on cancer physiology as well as its protective effects against kidney damage, loss of kidney function, and chemotherapy-induced nerve pain. It protects the kidneys from the chemotherapy, side effects of cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and carboplatin.

The active ingredient in milk thistle, an antioxidant flavonoid known as silymarin, reduces the inflammation and oxidative damage that can trigger cancer. In addition, it helps to preserve glutathione, the body’s premier inflammation-fighting antioxidant. Milk thistle is a key supplement to carefully research if you are undergoing and recovering from exposure to toxic chemicals and drugs.

Caution
Milk thistle may produce an allergic reaction, especially with individuals bothered by ragweed. Please be tested to ensure tolerance.
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Co-enzyme Q10

Co-enzyme Q10

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in your body and is used by cells not only to protect against free radical damage, but also to produce ATP, a compound that powers every cell in the human body. High levels of CoQ10 are especially essential in the high-activity cells, such as heart muscle cells, brain cells, and immune system cells.

Since 1961, researchers have noted various benefits of CoQ10 as an anti-cancer agent. Studies have shown that by delivering CoQ10 to cancer cells and tissues, apoptosis of the cells followed which is the normal programmed cell death that goes awry in the disease process.This powerful group of enzymes is found in anchovies, broccoli, beef, salmon, sardines, mackerel, soy oil and peanuts but should also be considered as an added supplement to your diet.

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Let your Body Prosper with quality, clean foods and

Thoughtful Supplementation

By determining your body’s unique needs you can proactively set your immune system up for success.

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