CAN I TAKE DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS DURING TREATMENT?
Dietary supplements include things like vitamins, minerals, herbs, and digestive enzymes. No matter what kind of cancer treatment you are getting, it’s always best to talk with your doctor before starting any type of dietary supplement. If you have been taking supplements and want to keep taking them, it’s important that your doctor knows this, too.
Many people assume that dietary supplements are always safe to take along with prescription medicine. This may not be true. Some vitamins and other dietary supplements can interfere with cancer treatments and medication or can even make treatment-related side effects worse.
Dietary supplements are also not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other agency. Some dietary supplements are formulated under careful conditions in clean, controlled laboratories and labeled accurately. Others may contain some or none of the substances listed on their labels. And many supplements contain other substances that are not listed on their labels—fillers, different herbs, or actual drugs that are known to be able to cause harm. Others may be marketed as containing proprietary ingredients, and the amount of each item listed on the label is unknown.
Remember, too, that safety and dose are related. For many plants, such as culinary herbs used in cooking, the leaves or roots can be safely taken in small amounts. But concentrated extracts sold as liquids or pills may contain the plant’s chemicals in far greater amounts and may not be safe.
Just because something is “all natural” does not necessarily mean it is safe. Keep in mind that some of the most toxic substances in the world occur naturally. Poisonous mushrooms, for example, are completely natural but not safe or helpful to humans.
Again, regardless of what type of treatment you’re on, talk with your health care team about any supplements you are taking or wish to take.
DOES SUGAR FEED CANCER? SHOULD I ELIMINATE SUGAR FROM MY DIET?
Many people with cancer are concerned about sugar in their diets, often reacting to stories that sugar “feeds” cancer. This is a very common belief. All cells, including cancer cells, need glucose (blood sugar) for energy. But giving more sugar to cancer cells does not make them grow faster, and starving them of sugar does not make them grow more slowly.
The bigger problem is that too much sugar can contribute to weight gain, excess body fat, and obesity, which does increase cancer risk. Added sugars are typically found in foods that don’t have any nutritional value, like sweetened drinks, cookies and cakes, and other highly processed foods. Sugar is low in nutrients and contributes little to the diet except calories, which can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Foods high in refined sugars and carbohydrates may also increase insulin resistance, which has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. There is a clear link between obesity and increased cancer risk.
Not all sugar is bad—natural sugars found in such foods as fruit play an important part in a healthy diet. Other healthful foods containing natural sugars are vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods. As part of a healthy diet, the American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than six teaspoons (twenty-four grams) of sugar a day, and that men take in a maximum of nine teaspoons (thirty-six grams) per day.
But should you make efforts to avoid all sugar during treatment? The answer is no. During cancer treatment, there may be times when the priority is to get calories or stay hydrated, and how that happens is less important. Try to use sugar-containing foods and beverages sparingly during these times, and when you are feeling and eating better, make an effort to make healthful food choices. Talk with your health care team and registered dietitian to help you determine what foods are best for your situation. After treatment, a healthy diet is an important part of taking care of yourself. See pages 249–258 for more information on eating well after cancer treatment.
SHOULD I EAT ORGANIC FOODS?
Organic food is different from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed. The term “organic” is often used to refer to plant foods grown without pesticides and genetic modifications. It also refers to meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products produced without antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic farming does not use bioengineering, ionizing radiation, conventional pesticides, or fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge.
Organic foods contain fewer contaminants than conventionally produced foods. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. Organic produce, like any produce, should be washed before eating. It may be organic, but it still could be contaminated by dirt, insects, or even stray pesticide residues.
It’s important to remember that the term “natural” does not mean “organic.” Food labeled as organic has been certified as meeting USDA organic standards. The term “natural” is not defined by law or in Food and Drug Administration regulations, so there are no guidelines or restrictions governing its use.
Several studies have looked at the nutrient content of organic versus conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, and while some studies suggest a higher nutrient content, others suggest no difference. It is possible that differences in nutrient content relate to the fact that organic foods are consumed earlier after harvest than are nonorganic foods, simply because the quality of organics can reduce rapidly. Generally, the closer produce is to the time of harvest, the higher the nutrient content, regardless of whether it is organic.
During cancer treatment, some people choose to eat organic foods to reduce exposure to pesticides. This is certainly an acceptable approach, but it may or may not change health, and it will likely increase food costs. The bottom line is this: if consuming mostly organic foods provides you with greater peace of mind, do it.