Frequently Asked Questions

Will chemotherapy "destroy" my immune system?

Chemotherapy can weaken or suppress the immune system. Having cancer and undergoing certain treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, can put you at higher risk of developing an infection, and infections can lead to sepsis. Sepsis in itself is dangerous, but it also creates conditions that are favorable for cancer to proliferate. Patients with severe sepsis require higher levels of oxygen delivery (DO2) to maintain aerobic metabolism.{ref} When DO2 is inadequate, peripheral tissues switch to anaerobic metabolism (Warburg Effect) {ref}. Lactic acidosis is also common in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Adequate precautions and immediate effective treatment in the event of sepsis are vital for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Having a hand-held lactate analyzer at home could be very useful.

What can I do to "boost" my immune system?

Get plenty of rest
Light exercise
Getting enough sunlight
Healthy diet
Supplements: AHCC, Modified Citrus Pectin, Melatonin, etc.
No alcohol.

How to increase a low platelet count?

>> Diagnosis and Treatment

Additional options that may help (home remedies):

Papaya leaf {ref}
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) {ref}
Red Guava {ref}
Tulsi {ref}
Wheatgrass {ref}
Peanut skin water {ref⏐ref}
Shark liver oil {ref}

Can I use antioxidant supplements during active treatment if I have cancer?

In my view, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSH) should be avoided during active treatment {ref}

Hormetic Effect of Berberine Attenuates the Anticancer Activity of Chemotherapeutic Agents {ref}

How to lower inflammation?

A diet void of processed foods, sugary or diet drinks, and rich in whole foods that have anti-inflammatory properties: ginger, garlic, turmeric, green tea, coffee, nettle leaf extract, berries, inulin, leafy greens, broccoli, etc.

Breathing exercises, morning and afternoon

Increase PGE1 (which is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory enzymes): Borage oil, DHA, EPA, etc.

Reduce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2): Vitamin D, Bromelain, green tea, magnesium, etc

Reduce leukotrienes 4/5: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

COX 2 inhibition: Celecoxib, Evodiamine, Pterostilbene {ref}, Berberine, Silibinin

Note that  COX1 Pathway inhibition  reduces PGE1

Lactobacillus acidophilus upregulates COX1

12-lipoxygenase inhibition: Baicalein, Quercetin, etc. 

5-lipoxygenase inhibition: Baicalein, Caffeic acid, Boswellia, etc.

NF-KB inhibition: Evodiamine, Berberine etc.

B vitamins (B3,B6,B12) {ref}

In the case of anemia, consider:

• Lactoferrin: due to the unique ability of lactoferrin to trap iron, Lf helps improve serum iron and hemoglobin levels by delivering iron to site where it is needed i.e., in the production of hemoglobin of the red blood cells.{ref}
• Vitamin B6
• high zinc intake increases thionein production, which traps all copper; the lack of copper decreases circulating ceruloplasmin and hephaestin, which causes all iron to be trapped as well {ref}
• Anemia can be caused by a copper deficiency (good food sources to get copper: guayaba, calamari, crab, shiitake mushrooms, avocado, watermelon, cashews) or low iron.
• Reducing inflammation

Cancer and cachexia

https://synergiesforcancertreatments.blogspot.com/p/cancer-and-cachexia.html

What are natural compounds that can act as blood thinners?

Nattokinase: Nattokinase is an enzyme that is extracted from natto, a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. It has been found to have strong fibrinolytic (clot-busting) activity, which can help prevent and dissolve blood clots

Garlic: Garlic has compounds that stop the formation of clots. It relaxes and widens blood vessels, which helps blood flow smoothly and reduces the chances of clots.

Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo Biloba contains flavonoids and terpenoids, which help improve circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing the “stickiness” of platelets.

Grape Seed Extract: Grape Seed Extract stimulates the production of vasodilator nitric oxide (NO), which helps blood vessels stay flexible to accommodate increased blood flow.

Turmeric: Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin, which reduces the risk of clogged arteries, strokes, and heart attacks by inhibiting platelet aggregation and keeping blood flowing.

Ginger: Ginger may help prevent blood clotting by reducing thromboxane, a hormone that causes platelets to aggregate, or stick together.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E can decrease the ability of blood platelets to clump together and form clots.

Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which reduces platelet stickiness and improves blood flow, thus preventing the formation of blood clots.

It is advised to discontinue the use of supplements at least two weeks before surgery or consult with your surgeon to determine if they are safe to take.

Supplements should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Supplements or herbal preparations shouldn't be combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or any other cancer treatment unless the safety and efficacy of such combinations are established. It's crucial to make sure anything you add to the standard treatment will further improve the efficacy of that treatment, hence the importance of discussing any addition of supplements or dietary interventions during active cancer treatment with the oncologist.