Which supplements are considered antioxidants, besides vitamin E?

There are a a ton of things that are anti-oxidants, but they are not all a problem like the one with E. Start with a good multi like Centrum, you are going to get most of the basics in the right proportions there. Key word here proportions. Mega dosing on one thing that inhibits the absorption of another, or taking something that only works in conjunction with another ( which you are not taking) is a science unto itself, and you can just be tossing your money away. You can add after that balanced multi-vitamin/mineral pill.

For the most part a lot of what the vitamin stores are selling, there is very weak data on the benefits of. The nutraceutical industry is VERY loosely regulated, and as long as they say they are not making any specific health claims on the bottle, they, for the most part, can sell it. I just finished a book that is on the NY Times best seller list that I thought was well balanced, it is called YOU staying young. The authors are two MD's Oz, and Roizen. It is an easy read - kinda like the "for dummies" books, but they really sorted through things that work and have evidence and things that do not.

Ditto to Brian's answer

More than once I have been told to stop Vitamin E and baby asprin a week prior to surgery or certain proceedures. Now that information has shown that vitamin E is not necessary and can be harmful, I have stopped taking it. On any vitamin or supplement check what % of daily dose is there. Even that is not always reliable as these products are so unregulated. Your pharmacist is good source of information on which vitamins, supplements, herbals, OTCs, ointments, etc. are suitable for you according to the medicines you take and your health conditions. Even different brands may be better or worse for you.

Another caution: Some medications for osteoporosis have an adverse affect on the jaw and some don't. Ask your doctor if your Rx should be changed.

Malka,

In reference to osteoporosis drugs, as far as I know there has been no clincal data to show that oral bisphosphonates (like Fosamax) are causing any jaw bone problems. It is the IV bisphosphonates used during chemo for certain types of cancer, that are causing ONJ (osteonecrosis of the jaw).

ONJ is a newly recognignized problem and even before the facts had become apparent, several years ago one of my partners in my dental practice had developed this problem. He was on Zometa to strenghten his bones due to multiple myeloma. He had to have a tooth extracted due to bone loss and the area did not heal for a long time. We didn't know what was going on and it took quite awhile for the information to get out to the dental community. He has been off the drug for 2 years and recently had another tooth extracted with no problems.

Hope this is helpful.

Jerry

Interesting! I'm due my monthly Zometa on Wednesday.
I've been on it for 6 months now and when I started it, looked up the problems--jaw-problems being listed.
As the onc. had said it was being prescribed FOR my jaw-bone thinning, (mega-problem, tumour had 'eaten it' and I have an exposed nerve) I queried this at my next appointment, but was told the benefits outweighed the risks!
I guess, in my case, it doesn't really matter that much at this stage!

Brenda

Of course ..now I am wondering .. For years when I was MUCH younger , I took Vit E for my skin ...could this have caused my cancer ?


Shar

Shar, There is no data suggesting Vit. E causes cancer or anything close to that as far as I know. From what I remember, the data just show that people who have had oral cancer get recurrences sooner when they are taking Vit. E. As I recall there wasn't even any significant difference in survival overall which implies that the E may not cause so much as magnify what is already going on. Anyway, I wouldn't think taking Vit. E years ago would have an effect.

Nelie

Shar, I wondered the same thing about my cancer. Was thinking I had caused it by using soy products, because they are considered very controversial. I still use soy, but less now. I think I will ask my MO what he thinks.

I guess I am still grasping at straws trying to figure out where it came from ..... Maybe almost a year later , I should let it go and chalk it up to ..it is what it is. and I will never know.

Just wonder that is all and with the new year aproaching ... I am thankful to be ending this last year of my life....But so fearful of what the nexxt will bring . This is just an all of a sudden thing for me .. I was fine . But the past few days I just have a Knot in my stomach over it .. Weird huh ?

Shar

NO shar you are not weird.
Everyone where I work says to me that they know I am glad this year will be over and next year will be better. I smile and shake my head and think to myself-Oh my gosh, I sure hope it is better,but I have no control over it. That is the thing. If we knew what vitamins or foods to eat or not to eat or what caused this so we will not ever do that again, then we could learn and live with it. But all of us cannot know and never will know. We must just learn to live with it. AT least we are cancer free today-and that really is a great reason to be happy for today!!
Debbie