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Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants and natural substances. Some dietary supplements have side effects that may interfere with mesothelioma treatment and increase cancer risk. Always consult a doctor before taking any type of dietary supplement.
Written by Michelle Whitmer • Edited By Walter Pacheco • Medically Reviewed By Tejal Parekh
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Whitmer, M. (2024, February 2). Dietary Supplements and Mesothelioma. Asbestos.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/alternative/dietary-supplements/
Whitmer, Michelle. "Dietary Supplements and Mesothelioma." Asbestos.com, 2 Feb 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/alternative/dietary-supplements/.
Whitmer, Michelle. "Dietary Supplements and Mesothelioma." Asbestos.com. Last modified February 2, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/alternative/dietary-supplements/.
Certain dietary supplements may be safe for mesothelioma patients. But the FDA classifies supplements as food rather than medication, making them less strictly regulated. Discuss safety concerns or possible interactions with your medication with your oncologist.
Herbs, antioxidants and natural substances have been researched in cancer care, too. Some of these products may be safe to use during mesothelioma treatment.
Talk to your doctor about lacking vitamins or minerals because of dietary restrictions or side effects of treatment. Only blood tests will determine your nutrition status and indicate any possible vitamin or mineral deficiency with certainty.
Some vitamins protect cells from damage linked to cancer development. Researchers are studying other vitamins to discover potential therapeutic uses in cancer care.
Vitamins can sometimes negatively interact with other medications you’re taking. Some vitamins may have specific health benefits, but can have side effects for cancer patients.
Vitamin K2 dietary supplements are safe for mesothelioma patients. There can be risks for postoperative patients and those with other underlying conditions. Vitamin K may interfere with blood thinners.
Researchers are studying several minerals for cancer prevention and treatment. Minerals form structure in tissues, such as calcium and phosphorus in bone. They also enable cell activities necessary for life and good health.
Magnesium, potassium and calcium are important minerals for everyone. They’re especially key for mesothelioma patients receiving the chemotherapy drug cisplatin.
Cisplatin can decrease blood levels of magnesium, potassium and calcium to dangerously low levels. Your doctor will check your blood to track these and other important minerals during treatment. Some people need to supplement them during chemotherapy.
A combination magnesium-calcium supplement also can decrease the laxative effects of magnesium.
Selenium bolsters the body’s own antioxidant systems. For this reason, it has been promoted to reduce cancer risk. However, the research doesn’t support this approach.
Multiple studies show selenium supplements are beneficial only to people who are deficient in the mineral.
Based on available evidence, people at risk of mesothelioma should avoid selenium supplements. Those undergoing treatment should avoid it too.
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People often recommend herbs and other plant substances as dietary supplements for cancer. Some of these products are safe during mesothelioma treatment, but others should be avoided.
Moringa tree leaves are used in cooking in India. They can be powdered and taken as a dietary supplement, and moringa extracts are also used to supplement diet.
Talk to your mesothelioma specialist if you are considering trying moringa supplements.
Essiac tea was first promoted as a cancer therapy in Canada in the early 20th century. The product also is marketed under the name Flor-Essence.
Discuss the safety of Essiac tea with your doctor.
Ground flaxseeds are considered food and are safe for most people to consume. A daily intake of one to two tablespoons is a common recommendation.
Flax is now commonly found in breakfast cereals, crackers, energy or protein bars and even pastas. Flax milk is also a popular dairy alternative. Discuss adding flax to your diet with your doctor or nutritionist.
Some dietary supplements cancer patients take aren’t vitamins, minerals or herbs. Instead, they are simply natural substances found in plants or animals.
Beta glucans are a type of soluble fiber in whole grains such as oats, barley, wheat and rye. Reishi, shiitake and maitake mushrooms also contain this substance.
Beta glucan-rich foods are considered safe for mesothelioma patients. Check with your doctor before trying beta glucan supplements, however.
Beta carotene is the natural, orange pigment in sweet potatoes, carrots, mangos and other fruits and vegetables.
People with a history of smoking or asbestos exposure should avoid beta carotene supplements.
The body naturally produces this antioxidant. It’s also obtained from foods such as beef, chicken, pork, trout, herring, sardines, soybeans, lentils and peanuts.
It’s important to tell your doctor if you plan to try this or any other dietary supplements.
Mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. Certain mushrooms may improve immune function and lessen side effects of cancer therapy.
Still, as with all over-the-counter products, ask your doctor before trying it for yourself.
Many of these are safe for mesothelioma patients. Some dietary supplements have side effects or interfere with your cancer treatment.
If you decide to try dietary supplements, discuss each one with your mesothelioma doctor or another member of your health care team.
They consider your medication, other medical conditions you have and planned mesothelioma treatments. This assessment determines whether a dietary supplement is safe for you.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers an online, nonmandatory reporting system to track dietary supplement side effects. Their data shows people are increasingly reporting cases of illness and injury associated with using supplements.
A 2018 JAMA Forum Commentary noted dietary supplements are a $30 billion a year business. It called for more research on safety, benefits and harms of dietary supplements.
Limited oversight leaves room for contamination with toxic chemicals. Consumers may also purchase and consume supplements that contain unlisted ingredients.
There are some common misconceptions around supplements and natural products. Natural is not always better or safer.
The term “all natural” has become a buzzword in the health industry. Because some people have had adverse reactions to lab- or factory-made chemicals, “all natural” can feel safer.
While this feeling is understandable, it should be weighed with the knowledge that many natural substances can be harmful, too. For example, arsenic and asbestos are naturally occurring and toxic. Plants are natural, yet many are poisonous, including oleander and tobacco.
In the 1990s it became popular to megadose, or take large amounts of certain supplements, such as vitamins C and E.
Some people believed large doses of vitamin C could cure the common cold or treat cancer. Research does not indicate it can cure any cancer. In fact, too much vitamin C can block your body’s ability to absorb copper, an essential trace mineral involved in making red blood cells.
Unfortunately, some supplements have negative interactions with prescription medication and cancer treatment. It isn’t safe to assume any herb, vitamin or mineral won’t interact with your medication or cancer treatment just because it is natural or seems harmless.
Additionally, few drug companies or supplement producers research potential interactions.
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology evaluated the risk of drug interactions among cancer patients taking dietary supplements, herbs and other compounds. Researchers found 61.7% of participants were at risk for a major drug interaction.
Dietary supplements are regulated differently than prescription drugs and cancer treatments. Supplements do not undergo years of testing before reaching the market.
Gather information about these natural products from a trustworthy source. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements is a good resource. Share this information with your doctor, so they can give you the best advice possible.
Tell your oncologist if you took any supplements before your diagnosis, too.
After treatment, your oncologist may give you approval to take certain supplements. Don’t start supplements without talking to them first.
Your doctor will know how long it may take for your body to process cancer treatment. Knowing this can help you avoid a potential nutrient-drug interaction.
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