Integrating Nutritional Supplements into Cancer Treatment Plans

Dr Judith Smith of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the Advocare Sci/Med Board sent me this article that she had written about nutrition. I am going to share it with you here.

Remember that I mentioned that my blood tests were good this week, I just need to be sure to keep eating and get enough good calories everyday.

Well, I'm not a doctor and I cannot make medical claims, but for me personally, this is what I am doing. In addition to Dr Smith's recommendations, I have been trying real hard to stay away from refined white sugar and red meat. Lots of fish, chicken, raw veggies, fruit, good fats and whole grains. I also have been using Rehydrate to keep my electrolytes balanced. I have been thinking that I will try Excel Gel for my electrolytes after this next round of chemo. Keeping fluids down while I was nauseous was a problem this last time, and maybe the gel will be easier. For good easily digestible protein, I drink a Muscle Gain shake for a snack. Sometime I mix a Peaches & Cream Fiber Drink with Vanilla Muscle gain for added calories and to help keep me regular (still not pooping everyday). The branch chain amino acids in Catalyst feed my lean muscle and keep them tight so I don't get flabby. And this week, I have started adding Post Workout Recovery to my shakes because they are higher in good calories.

Almost normal, and HUNGRY again

The next round of chemo will be easier because now I know that it does get better. That was seriously 4 days of the worst flu type symptoms ever. Now, I am just kinda feeling funky because I haven't eaten much for 4 days. I have kept up with my CorePlex with Iron and OmegaPlex. The Meal Replacement Shakes and Muscle Gain for protein and nutrition have been very easy to keep down as well as the Rehydrate for keeping my electrolytes balanced. I'm drinking Spark again. And even taking Catalyst, because I am losing weight, mostly muscle, pretty quickly. I will have some blood work next week and I will learn more how I am doing then.

I am getting lots of advice about nutrition. Much of it similar - stay away from red meat, dairy & sugar. Raw is best. Stay hydrated. Most appealing to me now is comfort food - homemade soups, pasta, casseroles. Vegetables are good, as well as apples, grapes & watermelon. But sweet is just TOO sweet. I think the Hydrocodone is affecting my sweet taste buds.

Dr Judith Smith at MD Anderson Cancer Center has written an article about Cancer and Nutrition. And this article about integrating nutrional supplements into cancer treatment plans. This is what Dr Smith has to say about the after effects of chemotherapy.

The Story

I'm going to tell it like it is. I'm going to mention poo and my period and maybe a few other things, nothing horrible, I've said all of this out loud, even in a group, just be aware.

Thursday night, just before Mardi Gras, some friends had us over for a wonderful dinner. We had Brie & crackers, drank wine, Tara made a fantastic baked chicken in her dutch oven - it was fall off the bone juicy with carrots, onions and cute little fingerling potatoes. We had more wine a couple VO and 7's and of course finished off with a King cake.

You know that feeling you have, just after Thanksgiving dinner? All fat & happy, when your belly is full and all you want to do is take a nap & then have a big burp & a poo? Well, that's kinda the way I felt - only I never had the big burp or poo. For the next few days I was feeling kinda bloated and gassy and ... I'm pretty regular, something goes in, something comes out. So this was unusual.

My usual day I have a Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast, that has plenty of fiber and probiotics, but I added extra Fiber Drink and a couple Probiotic Restore to my day as well. I was thinking back to what I had learned about easing symptoms of IBS. I made sure to take plenty of OmegaPlex - fish oil should help things move along, Calcium and Magnesium for intestinal muscle function and ReHydrate.

I also went to the drugstore and got GasX, Colace, Senakot S, Tums ... it had been FOUR days and I was trying anything. My tummy was kinda swollen.

I went to San Antonio the last weekend of February. I had a one day booking, but I brought Abby with me and we made it a long weekend and stayed with my good friend Sally. I still was very bloated. Still hadn't had the "big poo". A couple of mornings there was a little bit, I was burping alot and I had diahrrea, but just not regular like I should be. I had to wear super control top panty hose to work.

I was glad to have the chance to visit with my friend Sally. She had just told me that she had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and every couple of weeks she had to take her pills for chemotherapy. She talked to me about the whole ordeal. Her appointments, how she felt, what she was thinking.

Now, remember, at the time, I still thought I just had some GI issues. Sally talked to me about how she was coping, but it wasn't really sinking in for me. I love her as my friend and care deeply about what she must be going through, but I never really had known someone close to me who had been diagnosed with cancer, so I didn't have have a complete understanding.

Anyway we had a nice weekend, took the Riverboat Tour, then Abby & I drove home. San Antonio to Beaumont is about a 5 hour drive. But when you are uncomfortably bloated and on the lookout for clean facilities because you can't figure out if you're constipated or have diahrrea - it seems like forever. And here's a bonus, I started my period that morning.

We got home late Sunday night. Monday I was miserable and called all over town trying to get a doctor's appointment. Called a Gastroenterologist, they said I need a referral. Tried to get an appointment with a Gynecologist, but they are booked til April! And they can't do the referral anyway, I need to see my Primary Care Physician.

OK, now I have to admit something. During the 4 years that I have lived in Beaumont, I have not gotten a Primary Care Physician. I have had seen a Gynecologist for my annual exams, but I don't get sick. And since I am self employed, i have limited medical insurance, so I just never did it. Lesson learned.

Tuesday, I was really feeling bad. I called Brian and he came home to take me to the Emergency Room at Christus St Elizabeth.

It was still early afternoon, so the ER wasn't too crowded. We got into a room relatively quickly. The nurse talked to me about my symptoms, and asked "Have you tried a laxative?" Well of course I have, and maybe this ER trip is going to be just a really expensive enema, but I need to feel better!

I kept thinking about that show on Animal Planet, Emergency Vet, how someone's puppy is acting strangely and they bring him in and take X rays and find out that he's swallowed a sock. The Vet does surgery and everyone is fine - I am hoping that will be me. But when they took my X rays they were hazy because of excess fluid in my abdomen. The ER Doctor came in to announce this to me and told me that this was called ascites, which is caused by malnutrition, liver failure which could be due to cirrohsis, caused by blood transfusion, hepatitis, sharing needles during intravenous drug use, or cancer.

What?! That would be impossible. Oh no Ma'am, nothing's impossible.

So, here's some Lasix in your IV to help keep the fluid down and here's a prescription for Lasix, a diuretic and a potassium supplement. Be sure to follow up with your Doctor, thanks for stopping by.

Of course I didn't appreciate her bedside manner, but the ER Dr did freak me out enough to be sure to follow up with a personal Physician. Fortunately, one of the best in town had a 230 cancellation the next afternoon. He ordered up some blood tests and a CT scan. I fasted and got my blood tests the next morning. There were at least 7 different tests that were ordered, but a CA125 was not one of them. Google ascites, ovarian cancer will come up on the list. Why not include a test for cancer?

I couldn't get in for a scan for a week. Looking back, I don't know why I waited, I could have gotten a CT scan in Lake Charles, Mid County, Conroe ... hindsight.

Another week goes by, I just want to feel better. Finally, that next Thursday morning, I drank my Barium and went in for my CT scan. Friday morning I went in to discuss the report with my Doctor. That's when he told me that I have a cyst about the size of an orange near my right ovary. Am I understanding you? Should I start crying now? Yes, and there is nothing further that we can do for you here. You need a Gynecological Oncologist and there is not one in Beaumont.

Well, good thing I happen to know a Gynecological Oncologist.

Brian is the first person that I called when I left the Dr's office. The next person I called was Mike Wade at Advocare Corporate. He got in touch with one of the members of Advocare's Sci/Med Board, Dr Judith Smith - a Gynecological Oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

It's Friday afternoon, 10 days since my first ER visit, the one where they told me that I had liver failure, and I really am uncomfortable. I'm bloated to the size of 4 months pregnant, and it has happened over just a couple of weeks. So Brian takes me to Memorial Hermann ER to have the fluid drained off my abdomen.

I took my cel phone and my laptop with me. Dr Smith was in a meeting all afternoon, but left a message to get the appointment process started, and she would call me back. I was in the ER waiting room filling out a patient self referral form on mdanderson.org. I followed up with a phone call and a wonderful facilitator completed everything for me and had a confirmed appointment for 830 AM Mon March 23. But that's over a week away.

When I got in to the little room to have the fluid "tapped", they drained about 2 liters of fluid - think really big soda bottle!

Of course I was anxious about my appointment at MD Anderson - a week away. But the ER Doctor got on the phone with Dr Smith, they discussed it and agreed that it would be OK to wait the week. The next day, Saturday, Dr Smith talked with me some more about my symptoms, the process, what to expect. I felt better about the wait. It was going to be OK. And I was able to prepare emotionally for the trip and discuss more with Brian and make arrangements for Abby during the day that I was gone.

Trim in 24

That's my goal. I have realized that for the past week I've been walking aroung in stretch pants and a big shirt - a sure sign that things need to change!

Great weather today, too. So I have no excuse for not at least taking a walk around the block.
Of course Advocare is going to help me do this. I need to be sure that I get good nutrition in my body so that it works more efficiently.

Here's the plan -I do a 10 day Herbal Cleanse and then Lean in 13. Lean In 13 focuses on eating clean protein, from lean meats and Muscle Gain, as well as fruits and vegetables in a "zig zag" kind of combination that helps you burn fat, cut cravings and get over that plateau.

After that I get back to the everyday routine that I learned with Commit2Fit. You know, 5 small meals, lots of water, etc.

I am doing the Citrus Herbal Cleanse. I like the "scrub ya clean" type of fiber. It's Old School, you have to stir it up & drink it fast - not for everyone. Peaches & Cream Herbal Cleanse is smoother and may be a better choice for most.

I have to remember what the Herbal Cleanse is all about - CLEANSE. So the only other supplements I will be taking are OmegaPlex and Catalyst. Of course I also will drink Spark or Slam and have a Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast.

As for what to eat, pretty simple really, just stay away from alot of fat and don't eat anything white (rice, sugar, flour). And drink lots of water.

It's just a couple of weeks, and a great way to get back to healthier eating, drop a few pounds and have more energy.

MyFitnessPal.com is an excellent free website to use to keep track of your daily foods, calories, protein & carbs.

This is a good time to get started. Advocare Success School is coming up Feb 20, I don't want to be wearing stretch pants that weekend.

This is how Great Fibo Trim is

FiboTrim and CarbEase are what I call my "911 products" - take 'em when you have a diet emergency. This time of year, I carry them in my purse. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I appreciate a Holiday Buffet.

FiboTrim has insoluble fiber and chitosan and other ingredients that will help curb your appetite by giving you a slight feeling of fullness and it's a fat grabber. When you've over indulged on your favorite fatty foods, FiboTrim will grab some of that fat and pull it right on through before it gets absorbed into your system and moves on over to your thighs or belly.

Now don't confuse FiboTrim with other products that are fat blockers. You won't have to worry about bringing along an extra pair of pants in case you sneeze & poo at the same time. I know that may sound gross, but Alli actually lists that in the treatment effects.

This time of year, when we have lots of Holiday parties, is a good time to pack along FiboTrim and CarbEase. CarbEase is a carb blocker. Each capsule actually blocks 3 grams of carbohydrates. Dr Harry Preuss, a member of the Advocare Sci/Med Board, has written a fantastic article explaining how this all works.

Now, some secondary benefits of each of these products. These have not been proven by any scientfic study and as always we have our disclaimer, but here is what I have found from personal experience. FiboTrim together with OmegaPlex contribute to reducing cholesterol. Type 2 diabetics have experienced good results with CarbEase.

I actually have genetically high cholesterol. It runs in my family. One day I was talking to my
Dad about supplements and Advocare in particular, and he said, "I'm already taking so many pills, my liver is about to explode". Well Dad, let's try something new. So, just to show him a thing or two, I started on a regimin of 6 to 9 OmegaPlex throughout the day and 6 FiboTrim at night before bed. I know that may sound like alot, but I was still nursing at the time and was considering getting pregnant again, so I could not take Lipitor or Zocor or any of the other prescription cholesterol lowering drugs.

I didn't really change up much else in my diet or exercise routine. I did take a blood test when I started this little experimant and again 6 mos later. I dropped my cholesterol 40 points!

Again, this was not a scientific study, but it is what happened to me. The added benefit was that I really trimmed up my waistline.

CarbEase - well consider that it is a carb blocker. Just imagine how that can affect your daily blood sugar levels. Now combine CarbEase with Max Appetite Control, which contains ingredients that regulate your blood sugar levels to help control your appetite. A person who checks their blood sugar daily definitely will notice a difference.

Get a head start on your New Year's Resolution and try it for yourself. This month you can buy 3 FiboTrim and get another bottle FREE.

And remember - it all comes with a money back guarantee.

Trying new things

It's just like Christmas when I come home and see an Advocare box sitting on my doorstep!

Today, I got just a few very important products - a cannister of Cherry Spark, cannister of Chocolate Muscle Gain, a box of Chocolate Meal Replacement Shakes, and my first box of MNS Max 3!

Meal Replacement Shakes and Spark are a given. For us it's just part of our everyday groceries.

Muscle Gain is a product that at first I did not think I would be buying. I saw that it was in the Performance Elite line and figured I needed to be some super workout athlete to need to drink protein shakes. But it has become one of the most important products that we use in our home. That big ol' cannister lasts a long time! We have both Vanilla and Chocolate flavors sitting on the counter next to the blender. I add Vanilla Muscle Gain to pancakes, cookies, oatmeal, mac & cheese, whatever I think needs a good nutritious protein boost. I've mentioned before how great it would have been while I was pregnant. And with 25 grams of easily digestible protein per serving, Muscle Gain has been great for helping to boost my metabolism and get over the weight loss plateau. Vanilla Muscle Gain mixed with Peaches & Cream Fiber Drink is a perfectly balanced low cal snack.

The Chocolate Muscle Gain is a great snack as well. It makes way more sense than mixing up chocolate milk with Hershey's or even Ovaltine. My Husband & I both like Muscle Gain before we go to the gym.

Now, this last box that I am about to open is MNS Max 3. It's very cool looking with 2 weeks worth of convenient, easy to use strip packs.

I usually go back and forth on the different Metabolic Nutrition Systems. During my Commit2Fit program, I learned that I have high sugar cravings, and the MNS Max Apetite Control helps keep that in check. But, alot of times I want more energy. On those days I add ThermoPlus or take MNS Max Energy. I am looking forward to seeing how the new MNS Max 3 sustained release formula works.

The ActoTherm SR provides both an energy component and an apetite suppressant. So altogether in the MNS Max 3 daily packets I get the ActoTherm SR, CorePlex Multi, ProBiotic Restore and now added Calcium Plus, Amplify AT and an additional OmegaPlex. I take all those additional products anyway, so this will be fewer bottles on my shelf.

I'll start on the new MNS Max 3 Friday. This will be a good test drive, because with First Friday in Groves and The Oak Tree Festival in Clear Lake, I have a pretty full weekend ahead of me.

Counting Down to Success School

I can't believe it is almost August already. We have been having a fantastic Summer. Good thing we did Commit2Fit before Summer really got started. It was a great way to drop a few pounds and pick up some good habits to keep fit during beach season.

To be honest, I have not been as consistent as I would like to have been about getting to the gym. And all that great Summertime food. We have enjoyed quite a bit of birthday cake and ice cream, and I already am on my second frequent flyer card from SnoBiz snow cone stand. The MNS Max Apetite Control and Carb Ease have really helped me to control my sugar. A couple of Crave Check before a party is always helpful, too.

I still drink plenty of water. My Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast and Muscle Gain, Snack Bars and Catalyst have helped to get lots of protein in several small meals throughout the day. I am getting my good fats with up to 3 OmegaPlex 3 times a day for a total of 9 each day. I am really paying attention to ingredient labels and, except for the occaisional piece of birthday cake, I have been staying away from enriched bleached flour.

Still, after listening to Jenny Donnelly on the team call , I realize that this really would be a great time to get started with the Lean in 13. Commit2Fit is a great way to learn some healthy habits that I will always keep with me, but Lean in 13 sounds like a good quick, healthy fix.

Lose 5 - 10 pounds or even more in the next 13 days? Sounds good to me! And I would be just finishing up during the weekend at Success School.

What a great story to share with everyone at the AdvoBeach party Saturday night in Dallas.

Commit2Fit Day 25

Another busy day.

That's a good thing, means I made some money. I got a call from an Ad agency to come in and do a Voice Over.

You know, this is something that I appreciate about living in a smaller city - the distance and time it takes to get anywhere. If I lived in Dallas, I would have to get on the Toll road to get Downtown, no way would I be able to park at the front door. Then after I recorded the spot, turn around and get back to pick up my daughter by Noon! The producer knew what he wanted, so it was pretty quick.

After I picked up my daughter, we ran a few errands. Post Office, gas station (Oh my gawd!), and the health food store for some Nordic Naturals Children's chewable Omegas, and I wanted to look for Hemp Tortillas. I saw them on Jenny's Commit2Fit Journal.

Anything that's made from Hemp, I think is pretty cool - Hemp tortillas, Hemp Milk, Hemps shoes & socks, Hemp clothing ... It's just fun to say, "Hey, this made out of Hemp".

I did not find the Hemp tortillas, but I did get some Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted grain tortillas. Of course they are more expensive than the tortillas at Kroger, but nutritionally better for you and just one will fill you up! Oh yeah, also got some too expensive snickerdoodles.

Had just enough time for a quick dip in the pool, a short rest then off to ballet, then out to tumbling.

We ate the Ezekiel quesadillas in the car in between classes. With these extra rehearsals, things will be hectic until after the recital.

So I did not get all my points today. My Food Diary. I went way too long in between snacks, which may be why I was a bit edgy at the gas station ( see next post). And I did not get enough calories. But I am doing better on my junk carbs.

Drank all my water, 12 cups.

Commit2Fit Day 21

Saturday - we just kinda hung out in bed this morning, watching cartoons and playing with Barbies.

The day started late so I did not have time to get all of my meals in. Sure got all the calories though! Blame it on the pizza for lunch. I only had one piece! And the Ranch dressing - it really makes a difference when you log it all in and see the whole day's worth of calories and fat and sugar laid out like it is in My Food Diary. Lots of salt, too. I drank all my water, 12 cups.

I experimented with making some cookies this afternoon. Hoping for a more healthy snack, I used a box of cake mix, an Advocare Meal Replacement Shake, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 3 tbs water and baked them in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes. They taste pretty good, have less fat and more fiber & protein than other cookies but I still have to be careful not to eat too many.

When I started with the Advocare Metabolic Nutrition System, I thought I wanted the Max Energy. But since I cut back on carhs (really, it was worse) and caffeine and eat more protein and fiber, I think my energy is fine. After looking at my eating habits, I think I really need the Max Appetite to keep my sugar cravings under control. I can take Thermo Plus whenever I need an extra boost to my metabolism. And I will consider Carb Ease.

As I read over this post again, I realize that I need to change more than my supplements. I still believe they are important - I mean, I have cut back my food intake, which cuts my calories (energy) and nutrition. So I still need a good Multi vitamin, Omegas, Probiotics, and metabolic regulators.

But I really need to adjust my groceries, too. Even brown rice and whole wheat pasta.

Hmm, this is going to take some thinking.

Tomorrow we begin Commit2Fit Life Habit 4 - do not eat right before bedtime to be sure to be in the fat burning mode.

That's pretty much common sense, but how many of us really do it? How much time should I leave in there between eating and goimg t sleep? What are the benefits? Those are the details that we find out at the Commit2Fit meetings. Or you can email me for more info.

I came across a really good explanation on why this is so important. I will share it in tomorrow's post.

Omega supplements

I was doing a bit of late night web surfing on Mommy health and came across this information on KellyMom.com

I cannot quite figure it out. It's like when they changed the food pyramid! This totally is not in keeping with what I thought I needed to be doing.

While I was pregnant, I sprinkled flax seed on everything and took Omega capsules. I have continued supplementing my Omegas while I have been nursing. Since becoming an Advocare distributor, I have been taking OmegaPlex and have learned that flax seed is not an efficient source of Omegas.

As my daughter has been nursing less, I have been giving her chewable Omega capsules so that she continues to get that good brainfood DHA.

I had understood that the Omegas helped with fetal brain and eye development. Dr Carl Keen re-emphasizes this theory in his article recently posted on Supplemental Science.

I have genetically high cholesterol, and I believe that the increased Omega supplements along with increased fiber have helped to lower my cholesterol. Which is a bonus since cholesterol lowering medications are not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

And from this article am I to understand that while my cholesterol may be in good shape, I am now at greater risk of stroke? And is that risk greater than the risk of mercury from eating so much fish?

One point that was interesting, about vegetarians, especially vegans having lower DHA levels. I have a hard time understanding how a woman can truly believe that it is OK to continue a vegetarian diet throughout pregnancy. A good pregnancy diet consists of at least 100 grams of protein each day along with the DHA from fish oil.

Those tiny bodies are totally dependent on us for their development and it is so important that we take that responsibility seriously. We need to quit messing around and do all that we can to be sure that our babies have all they need to get the best start possible.