Rhodiola and vitamin A should be used with caution during radiation therapy.
Not all vitamin and mineral supplements have antioxidants. For example calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 are not antioxidants. These vitamins and minerals are safe to take during your radiation treatment. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian about what you can take during treatment.
Vitamin D is an important supplement for cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.
Since the main therapeutic effect of RT is through the production of reactive oxygen species, antioxidants may interfere with RT efficacy [12]. Taking (dietary) antioxidants, including vitamin C, concurrently with chemotherapy or RT, decreased the treatment's effect; therefore, patients might be advised against it [6].
If you're undergoing surgery, it's also important to avoid supplements that may increase bleeding risk, such as garlic extract, ginseng extract, bilberry extract and fish oil. Also, quality of herbal supplements is a concern, more so than with vitamin or mineral supplements.
Vitamin D is one of the most studied supplements for cancer prevention and treatment right now. Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene contain antioxidants once thought to help prevent cancer.
Interestingly, about 60% of Americans are deficient in magnesium, including up to 60% of patients who are critically ill. In regard to cancer, magnesium intake has been associated with the incidence of some cancers and has been studied as a protective agent against chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity.
Radiation Immunity. As summarized above, vitamin D demonstrates a synergistic effect with radiation through various mechanisms.
Vitamin C is one of the most sensitive to radiation. However, its sensitivity is also high in relation to several factors (exposure to oxygen, temperature elevation, pH modifications).
Conclusion: All the results demonstrated that magnesium may elicit protective effect against radiationinduced brain injury by reducing calcium overload, improving redox and inhibiting cell apoptosis.
While some vitamins such as riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6) and biotin are usually stable, others such as Thiamin (B1) and vitamins A, C and E are relatively labile (Wiendl, 1984; Kilcast, 1994; Giroux and Lacroix, 1998).
Clean the skin daily with warm water and a mild soap recommended by your nurse. Avoid using any lotions, perfumes, deodorants or powders in the treatment area unless approved by your doctor or nurse. Avoid products containing alcohol, which may dry your skin.
Zinc may help reduce some symptoms caused by radiation therapy. Optimal levels of zinc may also reduce the risk of various cancers, but further study is needed.
The most radiation-sensitive organs include the hematopoietic system [4], the gastrointestinal (GI) system [5], skin [6, 7], vascular system [8, 9], reproductive system, and brain [10–12].
Lymphocytes (white blood cells) and cells which produce blood are constantly regenerating, and are, therefore, the most sensitive. Reproductive and gastrointestinal cells are not regenerating as quickly and are less sensitive.
There are beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplements in patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy on different outcomes, being the preservation of body composition the most evident. Some important outcome like decrease tumor size and prolonging patient survival, are not observed.
Furthermore, some evidence also shows that a green tea extract can reduce the acute skin-induced reactions after radiation which include pain, the burning-feeling, itching, pulling and tenderness.
Not all vitamin and mineral supplements have antioxidants. For example, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 are not antioxidants. These vitamins and minerals are safe to take during your radiation treatment.
What are some of the causes of low magnesium? Some chemotherapy drugs can change the way your kidneys function. Your kidneys may let go of too much magnesium in your urine or not reabsorb enough. This makes it difficult to maintain a magnesium level within normal limits.
Clinical Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
Mg deficiency can cause a wide variety of symptoms, and some of the earlier signs of Mg deficiency—such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, tingling, depression, irritability, constipation, and ataxia—are also commonly seen side effects from chemotherapy.
Eating a variety of whole grains, legumes (such as peas and beans), and dark green, leafy vegetables every day will help you get your daily recommended amount of magnesium. You can also get magnesium from drinking water.