What is Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. It is the third most common form of cancer and the second...
Join Now
|
Calcium report: 'Should Everyone Take Calcium and
|
Watch this |
| View More Posts Ignore |
Should Everyone Take Calcium and Vitamin D?
Posted: 14 May 2009 05:25 AM PDT Written by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD. Only about five years ago, every patient of mine who finished chemotherapy was given a vitamin cocktail to further reduce colon cancer risk. It was calcium, selenium, vitamin E and folic acid. Over the last three years, folic acid has been shown to increase growth of polyps, and in patients with metastatic disease it may shorten life. The protective value of vitamin E has been questioned, and there was evidence that it might increase prostate cancer risk. Selenium did not show benefit. So we are down to calcium. This supplement has been shown repeatedly to benefit patients by reducing cancer risk for a variety of solid tumors including colon cancer. A recent publication by Dr. Yikyung Park from the National Cancer Institute showed that supplementation of 1200 mg calcium in women and men over the age of 50 decreased cancer risk by 17% for men and 23% for women (Archives of Internal Medicine, February 23, 2009). These were cancers of the gastrointestinal tract mainly colon cancers. The usually source for calcium in our diet is milk products (yogurt, cheese etc) as well as meat. The calcium pathway is very interesting because it requires activity of vitamin D. Without vitamin D it is difficult to absorb calcium and put it into the organs where we need it, but to make sure we have sufficient vitamin D we need some sun exposure (vitamin D is activated in the skin) and we need a functional kidney. When vitamin D was tested in patients with colon cancer it was found by Dr. Charles Fuchs in the Journal of Clinical Oncology published in June last year that the patients with the highest vitamin D levels lived longer suggesting that low levels may be associated with shorter survival. I recommend all my patients take 1500 mg of calcium and 1000-3000 units of vitamin D daily. If you have a history of kidney stones or inflammatory bowel disease please check with your doctor first before starting calcium supplements. Posted on 05/15/09, 11:05 am |
| 18 Replies | Most Recent | Add Your Reply |
| View More Posts Ignore |
Hi Diane,
Since you had spoken on supplements here...I just got a report that my B12 is low. The doctor asked me to take a supplement of 1000 mcg every other day. I got a sublingual of 500 mcg. I noticed when I was doing some research that folic acid requires B12 for assimilation but not the reverse. Is this correct? I've been so stinkin' tired since having colon surgery and I'm not even on chemo. I'm not getting restful sleep and wake multiple times during the night. I fall back to sleep but wake up dragging. I'm getting frustrated and depressed. I'm only 51, have no cancer and feel like I've had all the energy sucked out of me. I still try to walk for 30 minutes 5 days a week, try to do stretching but I best not sit down most days or I'll fall asleep. Oh, and God help me when I get behind the wheel. I've begun falling asleep as I drive. This was happening last year before the doctor put me on thyroid and cortisol. Now, my body just aches. Sorry for all the complaining. I know everyone hear goes through so much more suffering than I. I know, I watched my sister and dad both die of cancer. I just needed to vent... =( Cat 
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
HI Caterina, menopause will cause the sleep problems and extreme fatigue. I wonder if that might be part of your problem? I began menopause at 54.....
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
Bumping this to the top for our newer members.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
I'm not educated on supplments. Do you know the differance between vitamin D and vitamin D-3. Has anyones Dr given them any suggestions on diet after colon surgery. Is a high fiber diet still recommemded?
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
Vitamin D is not the Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol (Vit. D3) that is so important to our bodies. Regular vitamins, even the every day Centrums,, don't have Vit. D3.
I'm taking 3,600 IU's total of D3 a day and have raised my Vit D3 level from 19 to 34.7. A reading of 60-70 is recommended for cc patients. 100 or higher is too much in the blood stream. D3 is only found in a few foods. Egg yolk. Some oily fish and liver. You can get money off coupons at WWW.Centrum.com Diet... YES! My doctor said NO red meats or once a month and only 4 ounces or the size of a deck of cards. Here's a link to the healthy diet I'm following AND the University of Michigan is studying for prevention of recurrence or prevention of CC. So far they have found a 6% reduction in recurrence in those who follow this type diet. It is NOT a weight loss diet, but a healthy living diet. http://www.mhbroughton.com/new_med...
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
Bumped for Kerry and her mother
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
This was so confusing for me. how about body's need for calcium? Thanks for sharing this information.
http://colonnews.com Best Resource for Colon Health Information
|
|
|
|
||
| First | Previous | Page: 1 2 | Next | Most Recent | Add Your Reply |
