Healing Strategies:
What to Subtract
Healing Strategies:
What to Add
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Healing Strategies: Supplements

Rationale for the Strategic Supplements

The supplements on the right side of this page were chosen because research has
convinced the editors of the strategic value of each nutrient. This list is not intended to
be comprehensive. Certain commonly taken supplements such as DIM and I3C
(Indole-3-Carbinole) have been omitted from the list because we have
reservations about their impact on the thyroid as well as the chemical action
blocking systemic estrogens rather than the estrogen receptors in the breast.

It can't be restated often enough that vitamins and minerals work synergistically
which is why the best source of nutrition for healthy people is whole, unprocessed,
nutrient-dense foods grown organically in uncontaminated soil.. After a diagnosis of
breast cancer, however, most patients usually want to raise their intake of nutrients
with documented benefit.

Necessary Co-factors

When one supplement needs another to work optimally, it is considered
a co-factor. For example, iodine has been found to work best when selenium,
magnesium and vitamin C are also taken. Vitamin D works with Vitamin A. CoQ10
needs to be mixed with fats or oils. All supplements need adequate mineral intake
and adequate digestive enzymes.

Supplement Quality/ Supplement Sensitivities

  • Capsules.  Supplements in capsules are preferred over
    tablets because they often dissolve better and have less binders. Many
    integrative practitioners prefer vegi caps over beef gelatin caps.

  • Additives. Beware of supplements containing additives such as propylene
    glycol or polysorbate 60 or80. Preservatives are often added to extend the
    shelf life in the warehouse.

  • Pulsing. Some integrative practitioners recommend pulsing supplements,
    that is, taking supplements for a period of time and then stopping for a few
    days.The pulsing strategy occasionally unmasks supplements which may be
    causing reactions such as fatigue, sleepiness, brain fog or vague aches.
    Sometimes the cause appears to be the build-up of the supplement or a
    contaminant in the product that causes symptoms after prolonged use.

  • Muscle testing. Some doctors use muscle testing to determine if a
    supplement causes a patient weakness. This technique which is not always
    100% reliable can be used right in the health food store with unopened
    bottles. Ask your integrative physician to show you the muscle testing
    technique and see if it works for you





Please consult a physician knowledgeable about the documented action of
supplements before starting or changing your current protocol.
These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug
Administration.  The supplements discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.

This website is intended as information only. The editors of this site are not medically-trained.
Please consult your licensed health care practitioner before implementing any health strategy.
The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that
exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician. This site accepts no
advertising. The contents of this site are copyrighted 2006 by Breast Cancer Choices, Inc.
Contact us for reprint permission.

Website updated August 7, 2008.