Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Hair and Skin Changes Due to Cancer Treatments Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Cancer treatments can have different side effects when it comes to our hair and skin. Let’s start with our skin, shall we? Certain cancer therapies can cause skin to become dry. They …
Cancer Related Fatigue
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
I wanted to talk about cancer related fatigue because it’s so common in those who have cancer. It can also be difficult to work with because there can be a number of reasons why a person feels fatigue. So let’s get into this interesting topic, shall we?
Well let’s start with the beginning. What exactly do we mean when we say cancer related fatigue? It is a physical, emotional and mental fatigue in someone with cancer that does not improve with sleep or rest. This can occur during treatment and persist after treatment is concluded. When you have cancer related fatigue you may notice that your fatigue isn’t alleviated by rest. Normal activities may make you feel more tired than usual. You may feel too tired to do things you want to do. You may also feel like it’s hard to focus and you have no energy. You may also notice you feel weak, sad, cranky and frustrated. It may be hard to lift your arms and legs. You may even feel that you need more sleep than usual. (1)
Why does cancer lead to increased fatigue? Well as I said there is a number of reasons that increased fatigue can occur. Certain types of cancer can cause the release of proteins such as cytokines which can cause fatigue. Certain cancer treatments also cause fatigue. Another cause for fatigue is anemia. Hormonal changes that can occur during treatment can also trigger fatigue. Chronic pain can also lead to feelings of fatigue. Certain life style factors that can trigger an increase in fatigue include poor nutrition, lack of exercise and a decrease in the amount of sleep you are getting. Anxiety and depression can also increase fatigue. (2) It’s important to rule out certain conditions that can also mimic cancer related fatigue. For example muscle weakness can mimic fatigue. Depression can also mimic fatigue as well. (1)
What are some blood tests you can talk to your doctor about that can help to determine anything that maybe making your fatigue worse? First the doctor should check your iron levels and red blood cell counts to rule out anemia. They can also check for vitamin deficiencies such as B12, folate, or even vitamin D. Please check out my blog on Methyl-B for more information on the B vitamins. The doctor can also check for certain hormones that can trigger fatigue such as your thyroid hormones. You can also ask your doctor to check for inflammation, infections and even certain chronic diseases such as celiac disease and diabetes. (3) You can also fill out the attached questionnaire and bring it to your doctor’s visit! (2)
Questionnaire:
What can you do to help with your fatigue? The following suggestions are fine for both during and after treatment.
The following can be helpful for those who have cancer related fatigue that persists after treatment. Please note that these recommendations are for after treatment, not during.
Our next product highlight will be the confusing world of Iron!
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Green Tea, our most common questions!!! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Green Tea is probably one supplement that everyone has heard of! It’s probably been written about by almost everyone, including me! So why write about it again you ask? Well it’s recently come to …
Opportunistic Infections Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND What do we mean by the phrase opportunistic infections? Well it is exactly what it sounds like, it is an infection that takes the opportunity to grow when your immune system is compromised. Some types of cancer and …
Min Acid
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Min Acid is an excellent formula for helping heal our digestive tract. However I get quite a few questions about this item. In this blog I’ll be reviewing some of the most common questions I get asked! Let’s start with what is probably the most common question I have gotten thus far about this product. “I have high blood pressure is this product safe for me to use?” Licorice extracts normally contain a compound called glycyrrhizin. This is the part of licorice that affects blood pressure. DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice does not contain glycyrrhizin and thus should not affect potassium levels. According to Mount Sinai DGL “does not seem to have the undesired side effects of licorice”. (1) In other words by removing the glycyrrhizin it makes the DGL form different in that it “does not alter blood pressure, kidney function or even hormones”. (2) Therefore YES it is safe to use!
The next question I will be discussing is also very common. If I take Min Acid will it stop me from breaking down my food? Simply put – NO it won’t. That is because of the way it works. For example DGL helps to promote mucous which protects the mucous membranes from harm. In other words rather than inhibit acid DGL works to improve our bodies’ defenses against the acid. (3) Marshmallow root, another nutrient in Min Acid is an anti-inflammatory. (4)
What does Min Acid do for us? DGL has been found to reduce gastric and intestinal discomfort. Studies have found DGL can also help with an inflamed throat. (5) Marshmallow as I said is found to have anti-inflammatory benefits. (4) Studies have also found that marshmallow root can help to heal wounds. It can also help to reduce pain such as when you have a sore throat. Studies have found that in addition to helping with ulcers, acid reflux it may help repair a damaged gut lining! Marshmallow may also help with constipation. (6) Plantain root adds certain benefits as well. One of these benefits is that it is a prebiotic and helps to “feed” the good bacteria that protect our GI tract. (7) Slippery elm has been found to help increase mucous secretion in our digestive tract. This is how it protects us form things such as stomach ulcers, colitis, diverticulitis and any GI tract damage. Slippery elm has also been found to help with either diarrhea or constipation and eve n reduce any inflammation in our gut. (8)
Another question I get asked is how do I take this product? Well it is recommended to chew and swallow after food. Now just as an aside I have had people who find that taking it before meals works better. If you find that Min Acid doesn’t work as well as expected you can try taking it before food or even in the middle of your meal. On a similar note I’ve had a few people ask me if they have to chew it. The answer is yes, it is better if you chew and swallow. If you think about it this makes sense. As you chew and then swallow the nutrients coat the cells of your mouth, throat and digestive tract thus promoting their health. In my clinical experience working with people who have digestive concerns a formula such as Min Acid works better in a chewable form than a pill.
How does all this related to my blog on mucositis? Well as I’ve said the benefits of Min Acid include reducing inflammation, heat gut damage and even help to reduce diarrhea/ constipation. These benefits are important for those who have mucositis. For more information on mucositis please see my blog on this topic!
Overall Min Acid is an excellent formula for our overall gut health. Our next topic will be Opportunist Infections.
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