General Questions
Can I take vitamins and herbs during chemotherapy or radiation therapy?
It depends on the vitamin and herb. Some vitamins and herbs have been found to interact with medications, cause toxicity to organs and decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy and/or radiation. Therefore, it is important to discuss with your physician, pharmacist or dietitian the types of herbs and vitamins you are taking.
I am taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners). Which supplements should I avoid?
Some herbs and vitamins that may interact with Coumadin or warfarin and could cause dangerous interactions or increase bleeding. These include: danshen, echinacea, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, co-enzyme Q10, St. John's Wort, arnica, bilberry, cat's claw, horse chestnut, licorice, melilot (sweet clover), pau d'arco, red clover, sweet woodruff, turmeric and willow bark.
Is it true that caffeine-containing drinks have a diuretic effect and result in a loss of fluid?
No. Despite the popularity of this long-held belief – even among some health professionals – research does not support it. While it’s true that caffeine in large amounts can temporarily increase urinary fluid loss, studies show that beverages containing moderate amounts of caffeine, like coffee, tea and soft drinks, hydrate our bodies just as well as drinks without caffeine. When it comes to calculating daily fluid intake, caffeinated drinks should be counted along with other liquids.
Does sugar "feed" cancer?
No. Sugar intake has not been shown to directly increase the risk of getting cancer or having it progress. But sugars (including honey, raw sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, and molasses) and beverages that contain them (such as soft drinks and fruit-flavored beverages) add large amounts of calories to the diet and can cause weight gain, which can affect cancer outcomes. Most foods and beverages that are high in sugar do not add many nutrients to the diet and often replace more nutritious food choices. For this reason, limiting sugar intake is recommended.
How much fiber should I have in my diet?
That’s a great question. The recommended daily allowance of dietary fiber is 21 to 25 grams for women and 30 to 38 grams for men. Did you know that most Americans eat less than 15 grams of fiber per day? And most don’t know which foods have fiber in them at all. Fiber is the part of plant foods that your body cannot digest. Foods that come from plants – vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans – contain fiber. Meat, cheese, eggs and other animal products do not have fiber. Fiber helps provide fullness and satisfaction at meals. It’s the reason that a fresh orange fills you up quicker than 4 oz of juice despite having the same calories. Fiber has been found to have lots of great benefits beyond keeping your intestines happy and regular. Some of the benefits include reduced cancer risk, lowering blood pressure, decreasing cholesterol and weight control. To start improving your intake of fiber choose at least 5 vegetable and fruit servings, and at least three small servings of whole grains (such as 1⁄2 cup of oatmeal, 1⁄2 of cup brown rice, or 1 slice of whole-wheat bread) daily. Increasing fiber all at once can give you a stomachache and gas; therefore try to change over time. Also make sure to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water to prevent constipation with changes in fiber.
How much water should I be drinking per day?
Have you ever heard that water is life? The human body is made up of about 10 to 12 gallons of water. It is the most plentiful nutrient in our body. Recommendations vary on how much to drink but in general drink at least eight – 8 ounce glasses of any beverage. The beverages can be caffeinated or non-caffeinated. While it’s true that caffeine in large amounts can temporarily increase urinary fluid loss, studies show that beverages containing moderate amounts of caffeine, like coffee, tea and soft drinks, hydrate our bodies just as well as drinks without caffeine. When it comes to calculating daily fluid intake, caffeinated drinks should be counted along with other liquids. When counting keep in mind that 8 ounces is the same as the 1 cup measure in the kitchen and average household glasses hold usually about 16 ounces.
Are there guidelines for diet and cancer prevention?
The most comprehensive guidelines for diet and cancer prevention come from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). AICR is the nation's leading charity in the field of diet, physical activity and weight management as it relates to cancer prevention. AICR published the Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective, which is the largest study of its kind ever published and its recommendations are based on the most up-to-date research available. It is a compilation of all research done on cancer and diet.
The main recommendations are as follows:
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Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
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Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.
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Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fiber, or high in fat).
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Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans.
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Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
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If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day.
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Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).
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Don't use supplements to protect against cancer.
More information about the recommendations at www.AICR.org.