Select Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods (Appendix C Green Book) Flashcards
Benefits of Aloe?
May be useful for constipation.
May delay radiation dermatitis in HNC patients.
May improve radiation proctitis.
Aloe side effects?
Aloe latex used orally may be unsafe and cause diarrhea.
Benefits of ⍺-lipoic acid?
Improves insulin sensitivity and diabetes management.
Aids with hypertension.
May mitigate radiation damage.
May have potential benefit for mucositis.
May reduce symptoms of neurotoxicity / peripheral neuropathy.
Inhibits tumor cell growth of breast, colon, lung, liver and pancreatic cancer cells.
Can ⍺-lipoic acid prevent neurotoxicity from oxaliplatin or cisplatin?
No
What are dietary sources of ⍺-lipoic acid?
Spinach, broccoli, brewer’s yeast
Interesting fact about ⍺-lipoic acid?
⍺-lipoic acid is both fat- and water-soluble and is able to function throughout the body.
Benefits of Black cohosh?
Suppresses hot flashes associated with menopause and cancer treatment.
What are potential adverse reactions to Black cohosh?
headaches, vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation.
Black cohosh may interfere with which medications?
Tamoxifen
Doxorubicin
Doxetaxel
What is Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)?
Endogenous antioxidant involved in cellular energy production and found in every cell in the body.
What are the anticancer benefits of CoQ10?
May reduce renal toxicity and cardio toxicity of Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
What are potential adverse reactions to CoQ10?
Mild gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea).
CoQ10 is contraindicated with which medication?
Warfarin (because CoQ10 is structurally similar to Vitamin K)
Which plant does curcumin come from?
Turmeric
What are the reputed anticancer benefits of curcumin?
May inhibit growth of cancer cells.
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties.
What are reported anticancer concerns of curcumin?
May prolong activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin time.
Curcumin enhances the anticancer effects of what medications?
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the combination of 5-FU and cisplatin.
How does curcumin effect cancer medications?
It enhances tumoricidal actions of docetaxel.
Reverses resistance to irinotecan in colon cancer cells..
May improve myelosuppression induced by carboplatin.
Improve efficacy of cisplatin.
Is curcumin easy to absorb?
No. Curcumin has poor solubility and bioavailability. Some supplements add piperine to improve absorption.
Is incorporating turmeric within a varied diet reasonable and safe?
Yes.
Food sources of indole-3-carbinol (I3C)
cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, boy chow, mustard greens and turnips)
What is 3,3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM)
a naturally occurring plant alkaloid bioactive metabolite of indole-3-carbinol.
What are reported anticancer benefits of DIM and I3C??
May benefit breast and lung squamous cell carcinoma.
They target molecules controlling cell division, apoptosis or angiogenesis deregulated in cancer cells.
What are reported anticancer concerns with DIM and I3C?
DIM may interfere with hormone therapy d/t potential antiestrogenic effects.
DIM enhances the therapeutic efface of what medication?
Paclitaxel in gastric cancer.
Flaxseed is a good sources of…?
⍺-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, soluble and insoluble fibers and has phytoestrogens and antioxidant properties.
What are the reported anticancer benefits fo flaxseed?
Lignans, fiber and ⍺-linolenic acid are protective of cancer.
May enhance efficacy of tamoxifen.
What are the reported anticancer concerns of flaxseed?
Nausea, gas, diarrhea.
May be contraindicated in those with inflammatory bowel disease
May affect the absorption of some drugs.
Possible allergic reactions.
T/F: Unfiltered flaxseed oil contains both ⍺-linolenic acid and lignins?
True. many flaxseed oils do not contain lignans.
What should you do to flaxseed?
Ground it to exert its biological effects.
Flaxseed and medications?
Medications and flaxseed should be taken 1-2 hours apart to reduce effects on drug absorption.
Dose of flaxseed that is considered acceptable and safe?
1-2 TBSP per day
What can you do with ground flaxseed?
It can be added to cereals, muffins, yogurt and salad
What is the reported anticancer benefit of garlic?
It may stimulate apoptosis and help regular cell cycles.
What are the reported anticancer concerns of garlic?
It may interfere with the function of some prescription drugs (saquinavir and anticoagulant medications)
What is allium?
A compound found in garlic that may have anti-cancer properties.
What are the reported anticancer benefits of ginger?
May ease nausea, heartburn, anorexia, diarrhea and gas.
May ease nausea associated with chemotherapy.
May inhibit carcinogenesis.
Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Promote apoptosis.
What are the reported anticancer concerns of ginger?
May interfere with the activity of anticoagulant drugs, but evidence is equivocal.
What is the upper limit of daily ginger consumption?
4 g per day