Coenzyme Q10 Plus B Vitamins Helpful in Breast Cancer

Adding Coenzyme Q10 and B vitamins may help those with breast cancer. Adding Coenzyme Q10 at a dose of 100 mg a day, plus the B vitamins niacin 50 mg and riboflavin 10 mg to standard therapy with tamoxifen was more effective than the nutritional supplements or tamoxifen alone.

The researchers looked at blood tests that reflect breast cancer growth. They found a significant increase in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase levels and disappearance of RASSF1A DNA methylation patterns in the supplement plus tamoxifen group, compared with patients who only took tamoxifen group or the supplements. The authors of this study concluded "An increase in DNA repair enzymes and disappearance of DNA methylation patterns attributes to reduction in tumor burden and may suggest good prognosis and efficacy of the treatment."

I find that combining nutritional support with standard cancer therapy works best, though I do not agree with all standard cancer therapies. I suspect that the toxicity of some do not justify their often meager benefits. This is why I recommend that any patient with a significant cancer order a search of medical studies done on their specific type and stage of cancer from Health Resources. They do a spectacular job (call Jan Guthrie at 800-949-0090 for more information). The report lets you know just how effective (or ineffective) the standard therapies you've been offered are so you can make an informed decision. In addition, this report also routinely turns up VERY effective natural therapy options that most doctors are not aware of. I have seen "incurable cancers" go away when the patient combines the best of the standard and complementary therapies that are found in the printout's studies. The report will be a collection of medical studies, so it may be somewhat technical. For help with it, I recommend consulting by phone with Rev. Bren Jacobson (very reasonably priced at $95/hour. He can be e-mailed at bren.jacobson@gmail.com. His phone numbers are 443-949-0409 OR 410-224-4877. He is often traveling, so e-mail if he does not return your call). Though not a physician, he is extraordinarily knowledgeable, can help people interpret the health resources report, and helps people figure out how to get the best therapy possible using a mix of natural and prescription therapies. As a consultant and guide, I've seen him help those whose doctors had written them off as hopeless.

For those with breast cancer, I recommend adding a good multivitamin powder and 400 mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily (this is the dose used in several reported cases where the breast cancers shrank with this therapy).

In addition, hot flashes are often a major problem for those on tamoxifen. The herb black cohosh can be very helpful for hot flashes and research suggests it actually is helpful in breast cancer. After 2 months, the flashes will often be significantly reduced and the dose can be decreased.

Reference:

"Coenzyme Q10, riboflavin and niacin supplementation on alteration of DNA repair enzyme and DNA methylation in breast cancer patients undergoing tamoxifen therapy," Premkumar VG, Sachdanandam P, et al, Br J Nutr, 2008, Apr 1