We are lucky here on the Monterey Peninsula to have an Integrative Pharmacist.  To help sort out what supplements you can take with your medications, what works best, and why you need to speak with someone like Brian Ellinoy.  If you ask your doctor, they usually don't know and make a blanket statement telling you not to take any supplements during cancer treatment.  Speaking to a pharmacist that actually understands how supplements interact with your meds assures you that you are on a good track to health.

Below please read Brians latest recommendations for supplements with a special section for breast cancer.  Pass this info on to your friends or loved ones who might need it.  Also, if you need a consult, please contact him directly.  His contact info is at the bottom of the page.

Nutritional Supplements to Help Prevent Cancer

1. High potency multivitamin/mineral with  adequate amounts of antioxidants

       (carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc)

1. Flavonoid-rich extracts (green tea extract, quercetin)
2. Green drinks (green tea, dehydrated barley grass, wheat grass)
3. Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum)
4. Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids)
5. Vitamin D

Nutritional Supplements to Help Prevent/Treat Cancer

1. Proteolytic enzymes (bromelain, chymotrypsin, fungal proteases, pancreatin, papain, Serratia peptidase)
2. Curcumin 
3. Quercetin
4. Maitake mushroom (MD-fraction)                     
5. PSK/PSP (from Coriolus versicolor)                 
6. Modified citrus pectin                                       

Additional Nutritional Supplements for Breast Cancer

1.   Indole-3- carbinol or DIM            4. Melatonin

2.   Calcium-d-glucarate                     5.  Coenzyme-Q-10

3.   Ground Flaxseed                                       

Using Nutritional Supplements to Help Prevent/Treat Cancer

1. Enhancing immune response—fish oil, inositol hexaphosphate, maitake mushroom,  probiotics, proteolytic enzymes, quercetin, whey protein
2. Inhibiting growth of cancer cells—curcumin, inositol hexaphosphate, whey protein     
3. Inhibiting metastasis (spreading of cancer)—maitake mushroom, modified citrus pectin,  proteolytic enzymes
4. Inhibiting angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth)—curcumin, proteolytic enzymes
5. Enhancing natural cell death (apoptosis)—antioxidants, curcumin, maitake mushroom
6. Promoting normal differentiation of cancer cells—proteolytic enzymes
7. Protecting healthy cells—maitake mushroom
8. Enhancing chemotherapy—PSK/PSP
9. Decreasing chemotherapy side effects—Coenzyme-Q-10, glutamine, melatonin

This information is adapted in part from How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine by Murray, et al., Definitive Guide to Cancer by Alschuler and Gazella, and Life Over Cancer by Block. It is for educational purposes only, and based on the rapidity with which medical information can change is not necessarily up-to-date.  Moreover, it is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease or to serve as a substitute for medical treatment.  Specific medical problems should be directed to a qualified health care professional.

Brian J. Ellinoy, Pharm.D.

Integrative Pharmacist Consultant

Voicemail: 831-644-8487

E-mail: rxbrian@yahoo.com

Website: www.integrativepharmacist.com