New Form of Vitamin E Proving Effective in Cancer Treatment

One of the gyn/onc chemo doctors at my HMO and I have recently started chatting about foods and supplements, and their role in cancer treatment and prevention of recurrence. I have been very encouraged by all he's had to say.

He recently mentioned that a bunch of new research had just come out about the *tocotrienol* form of Vitamin E, which is 40-60 times more potent as an antioxidant that the mixed alpha-tocopherols form. (Synthetic forms of Vitamin E should not be taken. These are usually the cheap brands you can find in a supermarket. If the ingredients include an "L" or "R" in front of the component name, it's synthetic.)

I did a bit of Google research and found some information on the recent studies. Links are below. I had some difficulty finding a brand of tocotrienol Vitamin E. I finally did: Nutritional Therapeutix is one of the companies that makes it, but I'm sure that others do. You may have to ask at the vitamin counter, though. The one I got is 400 iu, and includes 8 Vitamin E components (4 tocotrienols and 4 tocopherols).

Hope this is of interest! :-)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0919122148.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

http://www.tocotrienol.org/

Thanks for that post. I will look at the web sites and also look for that type of vitamin e. I just started taking supplements again. I have your list of what you take. So far I am doing super b and a multi. I am 3 weeks past chemo end.

How are the weekly chemo treatments? Does that delay the regrowth of hair? Are there any side effects? Just wondering how it is going.

You certainly are a fountain of information. I can't thank you enough for all that you have shared with us.

Hi, Georgene!

Thanks for the kind words, and congrats again on finishing chemo! My weekly chemo hasn't infringed on my hair growing back -- so far. I have about a centimeter of hair, and I have eyelashes and eyebrows now. Yay! Unfortunately, my hair is growing back fairly mouse-y, with some gray thrown in (just to add insult to injury). I can't wait to dye it! But it'll have to be longer before I do so, and I want to look into organic dyes. So I wear a wig when I work.

My list of what I'm taking is longer than ever. That chemo doctor challenged me to summarize the knowledge I've gained from all my research, since so many books make you read 300 pages to tell you about 10 things. So I'm mid-way through doing that. He also wants me to consider writing some articles and trying to get them published. I have appreciated his encouragement -- particularly because he is not even my doctor, yet we have great talks about diet and supplements.

I'm so glad some of what I've shared is helpful. Once I get my summary of stuff done, I'll post a note and people who want it e-mailed can PM me. I'm pretty good at reading 300 pages and summarizing the important points.

I have my session with Dr. Jeanne Wallace (the PhD who spoke at the OCNA conference about minimizing angiogensis and inflammation with diet and supplements) on Tuesday, November 4th, so I'll let you know what I find out.

Here's a list of what I'm currently taking. I am taking the IP6 and L-Glutamine only sometimes, mostly because I forget. I also forget to take the digestive enzymes, because they are taken in between meals . . . and I only remember to take supplements with meals. But I need to get better about that, because the enzymes are super important (according to my nutritionist and Dr. Wallace).

I know there is more I can be doing. I am eating super healthfully most of the time, but I have to have a chocolate fix every other day or so. ;-) Most important: I am trying hard to walk 40 minutes every morning. I didn't walk for a week (due to too much work and general laziness), and I started feeling really awful. With all I've read about keeping your body oxygenated, it seems that exercise -- even simple walking -- is a must.

Vitamins A&D
B Complex Vitamins
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (tocotrienol -- 400 iu twice per day)
Quercitin
Selenium (synergistic effect when coupled with Vitamin E)
Boswellia
Curcumin
MegaZyme Digestive Enzymes (bromelain, etc.)
Flax Seed Oil
Ground Flax Seed (on salads, in oatmeal, etc.)
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
IP6
L-Glutamine
Milk Thistle
Essiac Tea
Green Tea
Maitake Mushroom with D Fraction
Calcium with Magnesium & Zinc
Garlic
Zinc
Kyo Green Drink (chlorella, kelp, barley grass, wheatgrass, etc.)
Colace (day of chemo and day after chemo -- just to keep things moving)

HI,
Your list of suppliment looks a lot like what I am taking. I also have a problem remembering the IP6. Also I am not really fond of the taste. In addition to the things you mentioned I am also taking alpha lipoic acid, the amino acids turine and L argine. NCR which is a precusor to Glutathion and one teaspoon of turmiric. My nutricionist feels the turmiric is the most important. Not only is it a potent antioxident by it helps the live to process unwanted estrogen. I alos take a phytonutrient that is made from broccoli spinach cabbage and brussel sprouts. Also boswella.
I also admit to taking a day ever so often when I take nothing. Sometimes it seems overwhelmning.
I will most interested to hear of your appointment with Jeanne Wallace. Thanks for all your infomation.

I also take a probiotic before each meal. When I remember. It it hard to remember since it must be kept refrigerated.

Jean

Hi Siren,

All of the vitamins and supplements that you are taking sound wonderful but have they ever messed up your ca125 number??

I am sure you know that during the summer my ca125 went up to 34 and I freaked out. The one thing that my oncologist asked me was whether or not I was taking any supplements or vitamins of any kind. The only thing I was taking that was different was that three mushroom complex supplement that was recommended to me by the hospital nutritionist. I was told to stop taking it and after 2 more tests my number was down to 22 and when I saw my oncologist, the beginning of Oct. it went down to 9.

She has told me that many times certain vitamins and supplements, although they may be good for you, can mess up your number and put a scare into everyone.

So please be careful.

Rosalie

Hi SirenSong
Thanks for sharing your info about vitaminE, you have so much knowledge about all these vitamins and supplements. I find it very interesting. Thanks again

s SirenSong

You certainly have my admiration!!!
And it looks as though you have found your area of advocacy!!
HS and Cancer Concerns were blessed the day you found us.

s karenann

Hi again!

Rosalie --

I definitely remember your CA125 scare. I have not heard of any other incidence where supplements have contributed to a rise in CA125, but I will definitely keep that in mind if it ever does creep up. For now, it's "less than 6.3" and holding (thanks to God, prayer, chemo, your support and all these dietary changes I've made). One thing the chemo doc said is that doctors often tell people not to take supplements that they don't know anything about. Rather than admit they don't know anything about it, they just say "Don't take it." I'd rather take the chance and take it. There's a lot of research behind everything I'm taking. I'm sure the list of things will evolve with time. But I'll be watching closely!

Maude Rose / Jean --

I also have probiotics in my fridge, which I always forget to take. They are so darn expensive (about $1 a pill), but I know they help. Still . . . I *always* forget them! Thanks for reminding me. Probiotics should've been on my list as well. The curcumin I'm taking is 100% tumeric. It's the same thing, just in capsule form. So we're on the same page! Instead of a phytonutrient, I am steaming green veggies all the time, and munching on them whenever I can. I also make veggie juice out of carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and beets. The cabbage and broccoli and carrots are all great cancer fighters, and they're all great for boosting internal alkalinity (which is better than acidity). In fact, I need to go make some juice right now because I never got around to it yesterday. :-) As for the IP6, I usually mix it into my green drink. It doesn't really taste like much besides gritty powder. Try mixing it into something; that might help.

Karenann --

You are so cute. :-) Though I wish I'd never had occasion to find this board, it is a huge blessing that I stumbled upon it so early. You have all been so supportive! I hope my Type A personality and constant need to research everything can help others who have to go on this journey. I just don't think people can go back to the exact same way of living after cancer. The emotional and psychological changes are obvious. But the dietary changes are important. I don't have all the answers. But I'm trying hard to find as many as I can! :-)

I'm so glad some of this info is interesting! I will definitely brain dump again after I speak with Dr. Wallace. s!

Hi SirenSong,
Thanks for the info. on IP6. I will try mixing it with something other than juice. How would it be with my goat milk protein powder? Your turmeric is the same, but my GP/CAM doctor advised me that I would have to take forty or so capsules a day to take the amount need to keep the estrogen processed throught the liver. So I just bit the bullet and mix it with water and slug. I get mine in the spice isle of the supermarket and it is much cheaper than the capsules. Cold water seems to eliminate any taste at all and it disolves quickly. I have learned to do it without touching my teeth. Don't want orange teeth. Thsi way I get at least a teaspoon a day.
I found that NOW makes a mixed E complex with 150 mg of the tocotrienol form. It is from rice rather than palm oil but is not too expensive.
Do you sometime just skip a day for suppliments? My DR. recommended that. Some days I only take those recommended to mitigate the effect of radiation. They seem to be doing thier job. I have had NO side effects at all. And only eight treatments to go.
Jean

I forgot to add that my Radiologist/onc. is very interested in suppliments and informed me at my first session that I could continue any I was taking. She has a list and has encouraged me to educate her of my findings and researsh. I think she realizes that there is much more to her therapy than just the radiation.
Jean