Antioxidants NOT safe?

May 11th, 2020 at 9:05 am EDT
Hello Friend,

A cheery Monday to you and your furry/not so furry family.

I hope that you are doing well amid this pandemic, and that your dogs, cats and other family members are healthy.

In the vein of staying healthy a quality supplement with a variety of immune supportive products are key.

Such as antioxidants, essential fatty acids, probiotics, colostrum

One such option is my supplement- you can use others, but just make sure they have most of those ingredients. Mine just also happens to have higher than typical levels of ingredients, and is proving helpful for thousands of pets.

My supplements are here:


Is it Safe To Take Antioxidants During Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy for Cancer?


Antioxidant supplementation ( ie Vitamin A, C, E)  during conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy is a controversial subject. 

Some studies suggest taking antioxidants supplements during treatment may be beneficial; however, there are just as many studies that tell us this may be harmful. 

The scientific evidence on this topic is not strongly for or against taking antioxidant supplements during cancer treatment.

Some studies indicate that taking antioxidant supplements may interfere with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, by reducing their effectiveness. 

It is possible that antioxidants may protect tumor cells, in addition to healthy cells, from the oxidative damage intentionally caused by conventional treatments. This, in turn, may reduce the effectiveness of the treatments


One study in particular has been highlighted concerning this, and now has made it’s way as to ‘mainstream’ fact with notices posted at some pharmacies..


Breast cancer patients who take the dietary supplements known as antioxidants, as well as iron, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, during chemotherapy may be at increased risk of disease recurrence and death, according to new study results appearing in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

You can read the study here: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.19.01203


This is a summary of their findings


  • Patients who reported taking any antioxidant – vitamins A, C, E and carotenoids and Coenyzme Q10 – were 41 percent more likely to have their breast cancer return when they took the supplements both before and during chemotherapy treatment  
  • Patients had a similar, but weaker, increased risk of death when taking those antioxidants  
  • Patients taking vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acid supplements were at significantly greater risk of breast cancer recurrence and death  
  • Patients taking multivitamins showed no signs of poorer or better outcomes after chemotherapy


SO what do you do, and what does this mean for your dogs and cats?

First consider this..

Chemotherapy and Radiation are Cancer Treatments that work very differently, with potential for SERIOUS secondary Side effects

They cause cell death, which generate Free Radicals, in turn causing More Cell Death

Antioxidants do the opposite, hence the reason why they MAY be CONTRAINDICATED IF on Chemotherapy/radiation.

Second

The suggestion from the author was to focus on Whole Foods, not high dose antioxidants...assuming you/your pets are having chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

“People diagnosed with any cancer should talk with their doctors about whether they should be taking vitamins or other supplements,” she said. “I’d recommend that they try to get their vitamins and minerals – including antioxidants – from food."

Third

For many of the Cancers that affect our dogs and cats, chemo/radiation is NOT curative..ie Lymphoma in dogs with median 6 months of survival.

You need to be discussing this with your veterinarian, and doing your own research. I did not ever see a dog or cat 'cured' of cancer after chemotherapy in 20 years of veterinary practice.

Surgery is an excellent option (if applicable), and chemotherapy/radiation can give you more quality time to spend with your pet.


My suggestion

IF your dog or cat  is on chemo/radiation, then it is best to AVOID high dose antioxidants supplements.. 


These are principles you should be following


  • Canine CANCER diet- HIGH PROTEIN, HIGH FAT, LOW CARB
  • Balanced multivitamin/mineral supplement, especially to help pain/inflammation
  • CBD/THC supplement as they have multiple studies showing potential to being anti carcinogenic, and provide pain relief
  • Dandelion Root Extract- especially if you are dealing with a blood borne cancer
  • Melatonin supplements, especially if hormone responsive cancer


Veterinary Secrets Pet of the Week!
Hello Dr Andrew

Love getting all the relevant information to help my girls have a better life....thank you! I live in Canada in a rural area and sadly veterinary care here is still in the dark ages and titer testing is a taboo suggestion. 

 There isn’t any emergency care facility nearby with the closest being 1 1/2 hr drive in good weather, so obviously it’s very concerning when one of my girls isn’t well. I lost my last Samoyed 9 months ago to Hemangioma, she was only 6 yrs old. It happened so fast and still I find it hard to deal with. I thought I’d done everything I could to keep her healthy and then to end her life in a matter of hours was devastating. 

 Now I have two new girls, Momma and one of her pups Pippa.

Thanks again for giving pet owners such as myself information to help make our pets life’s better.

Regards, Pauline Carter


Thanks So Much Pauline :-)
Dr Andrew

If you would like your pet to be the Pet of the Week, please send a picture to
support@fourpawsonlineltd.com
Heal Your Pet At Home!

Best Wishes,

Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
P.S. If you have a dog or a cat with cancer, spend time researching the array of alternative options ( ie on my youtube channel, blog, podcast). Talk to your veterinarian to see if chemo/radiation will 'cure' the cancer- or if only temporary.. Then discuss the study with them.

P.P.S.  It's obviously better to prevent this in the First place. A good quality complete, immune supportive supplement with Antioxidants can help.

Such as my Ultimate Canine Health Formula or Ultimate Feline Health Formula.

If you have yet to TRY my supplements, I encourage you to do so, for now they are 37% OFF

LikeTwitterPinterestGooglePlusLinkedInForward
DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. Dr Andrew Jones resigned from the College of Veterinarians of B.C. effective December 1 2010, meaning he cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make specific medical recommendations for your pet.

PRIVACY POLICY: We will never rent, sell, loan, provide, barter, exchange or in any way make available your personal information to others. You can unsubscribe or change your email address at any time using the links at the bottom of this email.

Copyright 2013 Four Paws Online Ltd.

Tel: 1-800-396-1534
Fax: 1-888-398-1378
www.theonlinevet.com
support@fourpawsonlineltd.com


Four Paws Online Ltd.
2124 Ymir Road
Nelson BC V1L6Y9
Canada

You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.