Supporting Radiation Treatments

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 50 percent of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy. It is believed that radiation is most effective against cells that are actively dividing. If radiation successfully hits dividing cells, those cells will either die or sustain injuries that prevent them from dividing, or from dividing more than one time. Because retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, inhibits the repair of radiation damage in cancer cells, sufficient levels of retinoic acid can enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy. Similarly, flavonoids such as genistein, apigenin, and quercetin may enhance radiation-induced cell death by decreasing the repair of DNA with radiation damage.

Like chemotherapy, radiation also kills healthy cells. But in contrast to chemotherapy, which is typically sent throughout the body, radiation is usually focused on the specific area of the body where the cancer is or was (when using radiation to prevent local recurrence). Side effects of radiation include local effects such as fatigue and loss of appetite. As with chemotherapy, radiation can cause secondary cancers.

Some nutrients, specifically vitamins A, L-glutamine, and honey, have been shown to help offset the side effects of radiation therapy without interfering with the intended effects of radiation. A clinical trial of individuals with glioblastoma demonstrated that melatonin improves survival and quality of life in individuals undergoing radiation therapy. Topically, a cream with the herb Calendula officinalis (marigold) can help soothe the skin side effects of radiation and assist with healing. Vitamin E cream may also help in the same way. The herb astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) has been shown to increase white blood cells and their activity in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Because astragalus enhances white blood cell synthesis, it has recently been used to treat leucopenia (low white blood cell counts) due to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Radiation to any area of the body that includes large bones (especially the pelvis and upper leg) will affect the bone marrow's ability to produce white blood cells. Thus, astragalus may help to prevent the immune deficiencies that can occur with radiation therapy.

As always, a healthy diet plays an important role and can help support the body before, during, and after radiation treatment. An interesting study featured in the Journal of Clinical Oncology demonstrated that dietary counseling significantly improved outcomes for colon cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. The researchers concluded that this nutrition intervention not only improved the patients' nutritional status, it also improved their quality of life and lessened morbidity.