Popular plant-based dietary supplements, such as herbal teas, garlic, turmeric, and cumin, considered beneficial to health, may interfere with the effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients, US scientists warn. Information on this subject is provided by the EurekAlert website.
Researchers emphasize that patients suffering from cancer and other diseases should always report to their doctor what dietary supplements they use, even before starting therapy, because thanks to this they can avoid their – potentially dangerous – interactions with drugs. This applies to both plant preparations and vitamins.
June McKoy, of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, who deals with this problem, notes that now, thanks to the spread of the Internet, patients have better access to information about alternative therapies. They also often heal themselves with dietary supplements and herbal remedies because they think they are natural and therefore safe. They do not realize, however, that supplements used in the wrong way can withstand the effects of the therapy chosen by the doctor – emphasizes McKoy. This is especially dangerous, among others in the case of cancer patients.
According to the researcher, more and more scientific evidence has recently appeared that popular supplements can weaken or intensify the effects of chemotherapy, and in some cases cause toxic or even life-threatening reactions. Herbal preparations can do this in various ways, such as interfering with the metabolism of chemotherapy drugs or affecting their blood levels. Using spices in small amounts is considered relatively safe, but consuming them in higher doses for longer periods of time can also have negative effects on patients undergoing chemotherapy. Even such a popular spice as garlic, if used for a long time, can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.
As McKoy reminds, recent studies have shown that as much as 50 percent. patients undergoing chemotherapy do not inform their doctor that they are using alternative therapies. Some believe that it is not important, and others would feel uncomfortable telling the doctor about it, the researcher explains. He also admits that the so-called Complementary therapies, such as massage, acupuncture and meditation, can benefit cancer patients and meet many of the vital needs of this group of patients by alleviating stress, pain and mental management. However, it is important to use them at the right time and under medical supervision.
McKoy believes more research is needed to better understand which supplements interact with chemotherapy drugs and to what extent. Until scientists have more data on the subject, patients should not take plant-based supplements while undergoing chemotherapy. According to the researcher, it is important that patients and doctors are more aware of this phenomenon and talk openly about it. Thanks to this, many undesirable effects of the therapy will be avoided. McKoy also encourages patients interested in alternative medicine to ask their doctor about other possible therapies that may be of benefit to them. (PAP)