Dr. Bubalo lecture, #1

[Guest guest]

I will do a series of posts from the talk given by the oncology

pharmacist from OHSU. This was a presentation in Eugene, Oregon

sponsored by the L & L Society.

Mixing Natural Medicines and Cancer Therapy

ph Bubalo, PharmD

Natural medications include herbal products, vitamins, nutritional

supplements, homeopathic supplements and therapy-related products (ie

Ayurveda).

Study in 2002 showed that 76% of people on chemotherapy use

vitamins/herbs.....and these may have significant effects on

traditional therapy, positive or negative.

Top selling herbs:

gingko, echinacea, garlic, ginseng, soy, co-enzyme Q-10,

antioxidants, saw palmetto, St. 's wart, valerian, cranberry,

black cohosh, fish oil and flaxseed.

Why add natural products?:

*improve feeling of well being (QOL)

*improve nutrition to continue therapy

*control chemotherapy side effects

*improve response to traditional therapy

*natural alternative

*increased independence and personal control

*improve immune system

*prolong life.

Supplements to use with caution.....types which:

**affect blood elements--clotting, immunity, anemia

**protect cancer cells from harm, increase growth ability, or

increase cellular repair capabilities

** mega does of a single product (becomes a drug, can have side

effects)

**change liver or kidney function

**affect other therapies

**interact with medications

Immune Stimulation

** agents that could increase white blood cells activity: lymphocytes

(B and T cells) and neutrophils

**may increase precursor pools of blood elements; white cell, red

cell, and platelets

**may decrease chance for infection

**may help fight off colds

Dr. Bubalo did caution that if you stimulate the immune

system.....you may stimulate the cancer.

Immune Stimulating Herbs (many, I will list some we hear more about)

*alfalfa sprouts

*arnica (topical)

*blue-green algae (spirulina)

*calendula

*cats claw

*chlorella

*DHEA

*echinacea (can be immune suppressing also)

*European mistletoe

*ginseng, panax and siberian

*larch arabinogalactan

*melatonin

*Reishi mushroom

*Shitake mushroom

*wild indigo

*zinc

Immune Suppression

**may increase risk of infection

**may decrease your ability to undergo chemotherapy or radiation due

to effects on the bone marrow

**may increase your risk of a new cancer

Immune Suppressing Herbs (some of his list)

*bitter melon

*caramel color

*echinacea

*fish oils (up to 3 grams is OK)

*licorice

*marijuana

*periwinkle (vinca)

*Poria mushroom

Per Dr. Bubalo....these are referring to supplement amounts and not

dietary amounts.

Next installment..........Drug Interactions