My Dad's Supplement Regimen

Our Supplement List

The amount of requests for this info was so great after my last post, that I decided to just make it available here.  I have hesitated doing this, because I'm not a doctor, and ultimately, we have no idea what exactly is causing dad's great results.  I'm not claiming any one supplement is responsible, this is merely a report on what we do. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.  We clear EVERYTHING with our oncologist before he takes it.  Our oncologist doesn't have a lot of faith in these, but he also feels like "it won't hurt", so there you go.

As you may know if you've done your own googling...there are a ton of supplements that make claims about being effective in fighting cancer.  And people are probably sending you ideas too.  Here's how we chose these:  for the most part, we only added a supplement that had shown effectiveness in a clinical trial against pancreatic cancer.  Where possible, I've included links to those studies below.  Look at the data and decide for yourselves.  And if you find something that looks equally or more effective, please let me know!  Also, I receive absolutely no benefit for recommending these, nor do I have any connection with any of the companies.  I do recommend Amazon Prime as a lot of these are available there with free shipping when you are a member.

1. Liposomal C 1000mg packets (4-6 packets a day): I had read a lot about intravenous vitamin C (upping the effectiveness of chemo while diminishing side effects), but I couldn’t see making my dad sit in a chair with an IV even more than he already is.  I did a lot of research and found evidence that the liposomal vitamin C can reach the same concentrations in the blood, plus was much more convenient.  http://www.peakenergy.com/news/VitaminC_Cancer_w_Comments.pdf

I really prefer this brand of liposomal C because this is the brand that was used in the study. I have my dad taking 6 packets a day.http://www.livonlabs.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/01146.1.1764306761331765819/liposome-encapsulated/lypo-spheric-vitamin-c.html

FYI, you can buy it on Amazon cheaper:

http://www.amazon.com/Lypo-Spheric-Vitamin-Box-30-packets/dp/B000CD9XGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370025987&sr=8-1&keywords=liposomal+vitamin+c

2. Turkey tail mushroom capsules (1g/day which is 2 capsules), which I buy here: http://www.hostdefense.com/products/mushroom-capsules/item/turkey-tail?category_id=4

Here’s some general info about Turkey Tail and cancer: http://www.bastyr.edu/news/general-news/2012/11/fda-approves-bastyr-turkey-tail-trial-cancer-patients

and here they cite the specific trials with pancreatic cancer cells:  http://www.earthsfirstfoods.com/mushrooms/turkey-tail/

3. Metformin (2 doses 500mg/day (1000mg total): He also takes Metformin strictly for possible tumor killing effect.  It is a prescription drug for diabetes.  If the oncologist hasn't read about using it for pancreatic cancer, you can show him these links:

http://www.pancreatic.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=htJYJ8MPIwE&b=2466459&ct=7491215

http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/aacr-press-releases.aspx?d=2818

http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2012/0703_Metformin-Shows-Promise-for-the-Treatment-of-Pancreatic-Cancer.htm

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01666730

4. Bitter melon juice 1 oz, 2 times a day:  based on this study:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/14236/20130312/juice-bitter-melon-pancreas-human-pancreatic-cancer.htm

We found the juice (also called karela juice) in the local indian grocery store.  They also have it online at Amazon.  He is taking 2 oz. of the juice daily.  The taste of the juice is way better than the powder.

http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Ayurveda-Bitter-Gourd-Juice/dp/B005J222V4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424284038&sr=8-2&keywords=karela+juice

5. Curcumin 500mg 2 times a day (so 1000mg/day) of the Longvida type: He is also taking Curcumin (which is turmeric), which is a widely known anti-cancer supplement. Based on this info http://truttmd.com/curcumin-caveat-emptor-not-all-brands-are-created-equal/ I chose the following formula:

Curcumin, LongvidaTM by Nutrivene (500 mg, 60 capsules)

				Curcumin, LongvidaTM by Nutrivene (500 mg, 60 capsules) Amazon.com: Curcumin, LongvidaTM by Nutrivene (500 mg, 60 capsules): Health & Personal Care
				View on www.amazon.com	Preview by Yahoo

6.  Acupuncture 2 times/week: After 16 treatments of Folfirinox, the Oxalipilatin in the combination was causing too much numbness in my dad's hands and feet.  The neuropathy is one of the biggest problematic side effects and eventually can be debilitating to the point where a patient can't button his shirt, or might be unsteady on her feet.  We found an acupuncturist that specifically treats chemo-induced neuropathy.  My dad was highly skeptical to begin with, but now his neuropathy is 80% gone and his hospital is so impressed they are now referring patients to the acupuncturist I found.  Also, the acupuncture is supposedly helping boost his immune system as well.  UPDATE:  after one year with the acupuncturist, my dad thought maybe he didn't need it anymore, and it wasn't helping any further.  He stopped going and within two weeks the numbness increased.  So, now we know for sure it was helping and he's going two times a week again.  It is my opinion that you should find an acupuncturist who SPECIFICALLY has studied neuropathy and cancer.

7. Moringa Leaf Powder (2 capsules twice a day (4 total): He also takes capsules of Moringa leaf powder twice a day.  You can also add to smoothies, though we switched to capsules since he didn't like the taste of it too much.

Here is one study on that:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/13/212

 

8. Sulforaphane (1 dose of EnduraCell a day): And the latest addition to the mix is sulforaphane which is found in broccoli sprouts based on this study:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23129257

I like this formulation best.

 

EnduraCell PLUS 60 Capsules

				EnduraCell PLUS 60 Capsules EnduraCell PLUS (60 Capsules) Why take EnduraCell PLUS?  Stimulates cellular antioxidant defences within the body Broccoli sprouts may activate key enzymes in live...
				View on www.enduracell.com	Preview by Yahoo

 You can also grow your own broccoli sprouts easily.   Here's a good sprouter:

http://www.amazon.com/Sproutamo-Easy-Sprout-Sprouter/dp/B000GHUD86/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1424284936&sr=8-4&keywords=seed+sprouter

And the seeds:

http://www.amazon.com/Sprouting-Broccoli-Seeds-One-Pound/dp/B0001W2VYK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1424284971&sr=8-4&keywords=broccoli+seeds

 

9. Frankincense oil (1 drop internally, twice a day):  here's a study:  http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/12/253

and a brand of oil that is ok to take internally (apparently, not all of them are)

http://store.do-essential-oils.com/frankincense-essential-oil/

If you are thinking by now that the cost of these adds up, it definitely does!!!  Of course, it doesn't even come close to the cost of one chemo treatment.  I've never been able to get any advice on these dosages or combinations of these from any health professional.  We've read the information that's available and determined the rest by ourselves.  And again, we are not health professionals.  You need to let your oncologist and other doctors know before taking any supplement.   There can be interactions with other drugs.  

I hope this is helpful.  Hundreds of hours of late night googling, looking up medical terms, staring at medical studies through bleary eyes!!!!

I wish our results on all of you.  And then you can all send me your survivor stories!

Best,

Jeannie

Two Years...and counting! Update on Dad.

Two years ago yesterday was the worst day in my immediate family's life.  February 12, 2013 my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the liver.  The tumor in the pancreas was 6cm x 4cm (about the size of a lemon) and the lesions in the liver were "too numerous to count".  The doctor, with regret, let my parents know that my dad was not curable.  They would try chemo to extend his life and hopefully that would buy him some time.  When my dad asked how much time he was looking at, the doctor told him it could be as little as 3 to 6 months.  The average survival is 9 months.  If he was REALLY lucky MAYBE 1 to 2 years.  It was such a shock.  Dad was one of the healthiest people we knew.  He had run a 1/2 marathon 4 months before and placed 3rd in his age group.  His only symptoms were some back pain and abdominal discomfort.  We never dreamed it would be anything like this.  If you're  reading this, then you probably know all too well how that moment feels.

Well, check out dad drinking a margarita in Mexico on his 2 year anniversary from diagnosis!  We just got the latest scan results last Monday.  They can't see any cancer on the scans.  Anywhere.  His CA 19-9 was 6000 at diagnosis.  It now is at 12.  Dad looks good and feels good.  And we are extremely thankful!!!

Dad's doctor strongly believes in keeping dad on chemo and not giving the cancer a chance to grow back.  Over a year ago, they dropped out the nastiest drug of the Folfirinox combo, Oxalipilatin.  Without that one in the mix, the chemo is very tolerable for him.  He just finished round 49 and then took off on vacation the next day.

I started this blog after dad got diagnosed because I googled "Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer Survivors" and came up with nothing.  From then on, it was my goal to make this the first site that would pop up when others did the same search.  And my secret wish, which has come true, is that eventually I would be able to post Dad's story here.  I am so grateful.  Truly, truly grateful to share this with you. There are survivors out there.  There is VALID reason to HOPE!

Dad has kept a great attitude the whole time.  In addition, he takes a number of supplements (email me or leave your email in the comments and I'm happy to send you the list).  He also does acupuncture twice a week, which has GREATLY helped with his chemo-induced neuropathy.

So CHEERS, Dad!  I love you!  Where are you going for next year's anniversary?


UPDATE:  I've posted all the supplement info here:  http://stage4hope.blogspot.com/2015/02/my-dads-supplement-regimen.html