Nutrition and Supplements

Has anyone had experience with specific nutritional plans and supplements for "outlasting" [sic] hormone therapy and radiation? I would love to hear your views. I am looking at about six months of Lupron along with 9 weeks of IGRT. thanks

Thank you. That's good news about the weight. I thought I would absolutely be looking at a lot of weight gain, and I'm borderline diabetic. And thanks for the calcium suggestion.

My husband got some skin burns when going through radiation so be sure to keep your skin clean and ask what kind of cream to use.  Eat your protein so your skin can heal or ask if a protein supplement should be used?.  Vit D with calcium is important.  There are some supplements such as Astraglus that might help with your immune system that radiation might hurt. Steve got extra tired at the end of radiation so I think people should ask to see a dietitian so you can discuss your blood results and get what can help you the most. Do not think it will not happen to you and not get info now as it is harder to help after it is over. Proactive is better than reactive.  Carol

Strong antioxidants or free radical absorbers (Vitamin E & C (so avoid multi-Vitamins), selenium, glutathione, etc.) may interfere with the radiation. One of the few supplements that may radiosensitize the cancer is soy isoflavones, although that's far from proven. Also avoid high fiber foods and other food that make you fart - the increased bowel motility and gas can create movement that increases toxicity. Moderate acidic fruit juices (cranberry, pomegranate, citrus) and caffeine intake because they stimulate urinary output, which is often a problem).

Exercise!!!! Heavily and often - both weights and cardiovascular - it's the one intervention you can do to improve radiation results (helps radiation kill cancer cells, protects healthy tissue, prevents fatigue). It also prevents many of the deleterious effects (muscle and bone loss, fat gain) of the hormone therapy. Do not "take it easy."

Tell your RO about any supplements you are considering - you don't want to take things that will interfere.

I've heard about removing all animal and dairy proteins from my diet. What is the clinical efficacy for this? What to replace it with? I want to stay away from soy. Thanks

I didn't use ADT, and I only had 5 radiation treatments - so weight gain was not an issue for me. I worked out every day before my treatment to get my oxygenation up.

My opinion on such dietary interventions as the type of proteins is that the quality of evidence is low. More importantly, the horse is already out of the barn. If they have any benefit in preventing PC over the years, it's too late to do anything about it by a brief intervention now. A much bigger issue for men our age is CV disease, so a heart-healthy diet is certainly a great idea.

Also, I found for myself that making dietary changes and taking supplements helped me feel like I was doing something to take control and contribute to my cure. Even if they have no real benefit, and as long as they aren't harmful, I think it gives one a psychological boost. Just check with your RO first.

Thank you. I quit smoking, except for an occasional cigar, (maybe one every month or so) back in 2007. I read the same thing.

I agree with Allens comments. When I was first diagnosed and decided on surgery, I started walking a lot. I walked 4 miles a day. Not sure about the physical benefit, although no doubt it existed, but being in a really bad funk, the big value for me was the psychological boost, the feeling of taking control, by "doing something".

I never did ADT, or radiation, but I understand that ADT can cause some level of depression. Sort of like initial diagnosis did to me. The exercise helped.

Re the supplements and diet, I dunno, seems to me that it took 40 years of eating like an idiot to get me to where I am now, so what I do the next 5 10 or even 15 years, isn't going to do more damage, as long as I keep it under control. I still eat dairy, just low fat for the most part. I eat healthy, but try not to obsess.

I think the answer is just use common sense.
As far as supplements, I tend to agree with Andrew, I too, take vitamin d to address a deficiency, and a multi vitamin. But seems to me that the more of that stuff you get naturally the more effective it will be.