Calcium and magnesium reduce chemo side effects

A presentation on May 15, 2008 at the 44th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology revealed that calcium and magnesium administered intravenously to patients undergoing chemotherapy results in a significant reduction in neurotoxicity, a common side effect of chemotherapeutic drugs. The condition is characterized by pain in the extremities that can be severe enough to prevent cancer patients from continuing their treatment. Researchers with the North Central Cancer Treatment Group administered intravenous calcium and magnesium before and after treatment with the chemotherapeutic drug oxaliplatin to 50 of 102 patients with advanced colon cancer. The remaining 52 patients received oxaliplatin with an intravenous placebo. The research team found a significant reduction in neurotoxicity incidence, severity, and time to onset associated with the use of calcium and magnesium compared with the placebo group. Continue Reading   Cancer chemotherapy Cancer chemotherapy is known to produce severe side effects such as heart muscle damage, gastrointestinal damage, anemia, nausea, and lethal suppression of immune function. Nutrients and hormone therapies can be used to mitigate the toxicity of chemotherapy. Bolstering the immune system may help alleviate or reduce the severity of the complications associated with chemotherapy. Continue Reading   Events The Prostate Cancer Conference 2008: State of the Art Treatments for Early Stage and Relapsed Prostate Cancer The Prostate Cancer Conference 2008 is the 10th major conference devoted to prostate cancer, planned and/or produced by members of The Prostate Cancer Research Institute. As in the past, this conference will provide insight for patients, caregivers and medical professionals. The conference faculty is composed of physicians and scientists who are experts in prostate cancer. Continue Reading   Specially-Coated Bromelain As people age, systemic inflammation can inflict degenerative effects throughout the body. A primary cause of this destructive cascade is the production of cell-signaling chemicals known as inflammatory cytokines. Along with these dangerous cytokines, imbalances of hormone-like messengers called prostaglandins also contribute to inflammatory processes. Specially-Coated Bromelain is enteric coated to protect the bromelain from becoming active in the stomach and act as a digestive enzyme for food. A 500 mg tablet of Specially-Coated Bromelain has 2600 FIP units (or 1200 GDU) to ensure full enzymatic activity. Pomegranate Extract with CocoaGold™ Pomegranate juice is sold in a wide variety of diluted forms. Up until now, it has been difficult for consumers to know how much of a particular brand of pomegranate juice or pomegranate extract they need to approximate amounts used in published studies that have shown dramatic health benefits. After reviewing the scientific literature, Life Extension determined punicalagins to be the most significant constituent in pomegranate. This research suggests that one should have a daily intake of at least 78 mg of punicalagins for optimal cardiovascular health and 280-375 mg for optimal prostate health. Taking pomegranate and cocoa extract together in a capsule form is a great way to avoid the sugar commonly found in pomegranate juice and chocolate. Life Extension Update First ever meta-analysis of melatonin’s effect on cancer patients indicates improved survival Mayo Clinic study finds lung cancer patients who take vitamin supplements experience improved survival and quality of life What’s Hot Cranberries boost drug efficacy in ovarian cancer treatment Meta-analysis finds antioxidant supplementation safe during cancer therapy Life Extension magazine Coenzyme Q10 and cancer: enhancing treatment outcomes and improving chemotherapy tolerability Theanine enhances chemotherapy and reduces side effects   If you have questions or comments concerning this issue or past issues of Life Extension Update, send them to ddye@lifeextension.com or call 954 202 7716. For longer life, Dayna Dye Editor, Life Extension Update ddye@lifeextension.com 954 766 8433 extension 7716 www.lef.org