Expert: Michael Dean - 7/1/2009

Question
Hello my father has cancer and some oncologists told me not to give him vitamins. i wasn´t going to give him suplements just changing his diet, wtih planty of fruit, vegetables (not cooked) and fruit shakes, seeds etc...all of this he eaten very little. Some oncologist told me the opposite and which i believe this "part" are correct, if he doesn´t have vitamins and enzymes to defend himself to have strenght when the therapy begins he´s already weak, what should i do??? is it true that enzymes are a vital part for cleaning our blood??? Can i give to him pancreatic enzymes??? better, is it harmeless to him or can breakdown the effects of quimo or radiotherapy??? Thank you for your time...

Answer
Dear Mauro,

I am sorry to hear about your father. What kind of cancer is it?

Giving your father noutritious food including fruits and vegetables and protein is the best thing. I don't see any harm in adding a multivitamin to this diet.

The healthy body makes plenty of digestive enzymes and only in cases where the pancreas is damaged, do patients need additional enzymes.

The enzymes won't affect radiation therapy and most chemo is giving intravenously. But yes it is possible that some fruits (especially grapefruit) and enzymes could affect pills taken by mouth, so check with the doctor or a pharmacist, before giving anything unusual.

You might find this site useful:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/HOME/pff/PFF_2.asp

I hope this helps,

Michael