WOMEN'S HEALTH

Supplementation for Breast Cancer Treatment

Nutritional Supplementation

Antioxidant Nutrients
Antioxidant nutrients help support the immune system, especially when the body is under stress. Although the following research highlights individual antioxidant nutrients, it should be stressed that it is not advisable to take large amounts of one or two antioxidants while excluding the rest. For optimal protection, a nutritional supplement programme should include multiple antioxidants. The primary antioxidants are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, coenzyme Q10, and lipoic acid.

Note: Women diagnosed with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer should not take DHEA, unless under strict medical supervision.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E, although best known as an antioxidant, has been reported to have several functions in addition to its antioxidant activity. Recent studies indicate that vitamin E may inhibit smooth muscle cell and also cancer cell growth. In both breast and prostate cell cancer lines, analysis revealed extensive fragmentation, indicating death of all cell lines supplemented with vitamin E. These studies give evidence of a general inhibition of cell growth by dl-alpha-tocopherol, with breast and prostate cancer cells.

Selenium
It has been suggested that selenium levels in the blood might be used as a non-invasive diagnostic parameter in clinical assessment of malignant breast disease. The results of one study revealed that women with breast cancer had blood selenium levels ranging from 41-58mcg/l, whereas the selenium levels in healthy women subjects ranged from 73-89mcg/l.

Coenzyme Q10 (CO-Q10)
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was part of the therapy in the previously mentioned nutritional/antioxidant protocol with women who were "high-risk" breast cancer patients. Six of the 32 women in that trial reported partial tumor regression. In one of those six women, the dosage of CoQ10 was increased to 390mg. In one month, her tumor was no longer palpable and in another month, mammography confirmed the absence of tumor.

Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted from the pineal gland in the brain. Melatonin is the "sleep trigger"- the substance that regulates the sleep/wake cycle. However, recent research also indicates that melatonin is also an antioxidant. Studies report that melatonin is capable of inhibiting the in vitro growth of breast cancer cells, suggesting that it may be useful in the prevention of breast cancer.

Soy Isoflavones
In cultures where soy products are consumed in abundance, women's health problems, certain cancers, and cardiovascular disease are reported to be less prevalent. Consuming more soy products in the diet increases the amount of phytoestrogens that you get, which act similar to the natural estrogens found in the body. Soy isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein are rich in phytoestrogens and are thought to reduce the symptoms of menopause, support healthy bone structure and decrease the risk of certain cancers.

The soy isoflavone genistein has been shown to stimulate the growth of a particular type of breast cancer in women that is dependent on estrogen. Genistein has also been shown to cancel out the beneficial effects of tamoxifen in women with certain estrogen positive breast tumors. Therefore, women with estrogen positive breast cancer or who are on tamoxifen should discuss the use of isoflavones with their healthcare professional.

Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a good source of plant lignans, particularly secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol, which are then converted to the lignans enterodiol, enterolactone once inside the body. They are similar in structure to sex hormones and thus behave similar to estrogen or possibly block the effects of estrogen. This activity alters the breakdown of hormones and thus possibly decreases any related cancer risk.

One study suggested that the reduced risk may result from changing the breakdown of estrogen to 2-hydroxyestrogen and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone. 2-hydroxyestrogen may also have breast cancer protective effects due to its slight estrogen effect and possible anti-estrogen activity. A study involving more than 280 women noted a substantial reduction in breast-cancer risk among women with a diet high in the lignan enterolactone. Since increased concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, another possible way in which flaxseed decreases the risk of breast cancer is by reducing the amount of IGF-I in the blood. Other studies, mainly using animals have demonstrated inhibited growth and delayed progression of breast tumors.

Herbal Supplementation

Larch Arabinogalactan
Arabinogalactans are a class of long, densely branched polysaccharides. Because of the immune-enhancing properties, larch arabinogalactan (LA) is receiving increased attention as a potentially useful immune system enhancer and addition to more traditional cancer treatment options. LA is reported to enhance immunity by various methods, including stimulating the activity of natural killer cells and inhibiting the spread of tumor cells to the liver. Arabinogalactan is available in My Defense, which is a comprehensive immune system booster.

Green Tea
Green tea reportedly has antioxidant properties and the ability to protect against oxidative damage of red blood cells. Antioxidants protect cells and tissues against oxidative damage and injury. Green tea's antioxidant effects seem to be dependent upon the polyphenol (catechin) fraction. It is important to note that the addition of milk to any tea may significantly lower the antioxidant potential.

Investigators have reported that increased consumption of green tea was associated with decreased numbers of axillary lymph node metastases among pre-menopausal women with stage I and II breast cancer and with increased expression of progesterone and estrogen receptors among postmenopausal women. Claims have been made that increased consumption of green tea prior to clinical cancer onset may be associated with improved prognosis of stage I and II breast cancer. This association may be related to a modifying effect of green tea on the clinical characteristics of the cancer.

Diet and Lifestyle

The following lifestyle factors are important for women who want to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. However, this information is also very important for women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer, because the factors discussed below can alter hormone activity, boost the immune system, and increase women's chances for successful remission and long-term survival.

Dietary factors affect a woman's risk of breast cancer. These include the following: