As mentioned many times on these forums, radiation therapy is the gift that keeps on giving. Over time the radiation exposure we've sustained will continue to breakdown tissue, weakening arterial walls, nerve lining, muscles, etc etc

The whole point of radiation is to create free radicals in a specific area to kill cells, and it's non specific so it's going to have an effect on everything in the area. There are some studies that show Spirulina, Kelp and other seaweeds, and foods high in antioxidants will help fight this overtime. The more I research nutrition and exercise the more answers I find.

So exercise, lower your stress levels, enjoy more sex, get plenty of rest (all which create favorable hormone response needed for recovery), eat your greens, get plenty of protein, and supplement Branched Chain Amino Acids, specifically Leucine, has a very important role in protein synthesis (the breaking down of protein into amino acid for either lean muscle mass or immune response). And of course don't skimp on the good fats (UN Saturated fats, specifically Omega3's) in your diets due to their role in hormone production and response. Here's a few great articles on the subject if anyone is interested



http://jn.nutrition.org/content/136/1/288S.full

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12821279

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/radiation-damage-000139.htm

I'm also a huge fan of working with Speech Language Pathologists to help with aspiration issues. Myself and JenSLP have spoken several times at the University of WA's SLP program as well as the WA State SLHA meeting on the subject.

Hope that helps

Eric


**** DISCLAIMER **** Before implementing any of the following suggestions consult with your physician. If making dietary changes while going thru treatment it could interfere with your treatments or medications. Many of the suggestions have not been scientifically proven to be helpful so use good judgement when adopting any of the ideas discussed within this thread. What helps one person may not be beneficial to someone else. Always check with your physician!

*Disclaimer to the Disclaimer* Your general practicing physicians know jack about nutrition so ask to be referred to a nutritionist with at least a masters and a history of working with oncology patients.

Eric, good write up. Thanks. Regarding the branched chain amino acids there is something worth noting. As nerves become chronically denervated such as fibrosing after radiation, muscles atrophy. The branched chain amino acids are synthesized by muscles as opposed to the liver for other proteins. As the muscles start wasting from damaged neves the cells can become toxic. One sign is a maple syrup smell when perspiring. A clue to switch to more pure forms of whey vs amino acids.

Ed

Ed I'm a huge fan of whey, which is where I get most of my protein. Yeah BCAA's should only be supplemented when the body is under attack or in need of repair due to the role of Leucine in both protein synthesis and the immune system and as an adjunct to dietary and supplemental proteins.

Hi Eric,Ed

I need so clarification on BCCA/Leucine supplementing. I am building a core base protein/carbo powder blend and want to ensure sufficient BCCA/Leucine/Glutamine/ L- elements, etc. levels.

Does raw protein whey concentrate (34%, 50%, 80%) /isolate (90%) contain any/sufficient BCCA to assist during active radiation treatments or is supplemental amino acids required to ensure maximum protein conversion for rebuilding damaged tissue resulting from radiation and other side effects such as thrush?

When talking about any kind of physical recovery, be from physical exertion, surgery, injury, etc etc using a "complete" source for protein is paramount.

I've made several posts on these forums about the differences in protein, whey, plant based, eggs, etc etc. Any "complete" protein, which is a protein that has all of the "essential" amino acids, is needed for the recovery process as the bodies need for amino acids increases with the severity of the attack on, or repair of the system.

Now as far as protein goes, Whey is the performance standard in muscle recovery for the majority of top level athletes due to it's fast uptake and amino acid concentration. Every protein is compared to the gold standard, which is the egg with a Biological Value (BV) of 93 and it's excellent uptake into the system. Whey has a higher BV and Uptake than egg protein does. Plant based protein can match the egg in BV but is usually a much slower uptake.

Typically in body building 1g of protein per pound of body weight is what is commonly recommended, however in a calorie restricted situations more is recommended.

Dr. Layne Norton, PhD in Nutritional Science from the U of Illinois, who is also a champion natural body builder and powerlifter, recommends 1.2-1.5gs of protein powder per pound of body weight to help maintain lean body mass during periods of calorie restriction to force the body to breakdown adipose tissue (fat). If you ever see pictures of this guy, it's hard to argue his research due to it's results.

Branched Chain Amino's are used by athletes to help recover from intense workouts quicker and taken immediately after a workout as an adjunct to their high protein drink they'll consume. It just makes sense to supplement them in cancer recovery as well due to how the body works.

When your bodies immune system is activated to fight in infection, or disease, it's need for amino acids, specifically the BCAA Leucine is dramatically increased due to it's role in producing macrophages. Leucine is also the trigger for your body to begin protein synthesis in the body, the process of rebuilding lean body mass.

The triggers that activate the immune system also have the unfortunate side effect of slowing the digestion and absorption of nutrition, so using the fastest uptaking protein, and providing supplemental BCAA's makes sense to help provide the system with an abundance of "building material".

Anyway I hope that answers your question, if it doesn't than the answer is definitely "Blue".

Eric

Where is that darn "Like" button when you need it. What do you think would feed an atrophied muscle? Creatine along with a whey? Looking at some eastern electrical/acupuncture stim with an adjunctive protein regiment. Also supplementing with red reishi in diet with near elimination of all neuropathies. . See the latest studies from Memorial Sloan Kettering and Syracuse.

Creatine basically "volumizes" your cells by retaining water, 70% of muscle tissue is comprised of water so supplementing may be of benefit, wouldn't hurt to try it. Funny enough I was just talking with a colleague of mine today about creatine.

Anyway I'm working atrophied muscle right now personally as the paralyzed half of my face has started to regain motor function after almost 5 years. The cranial nerve graft I had almost 3 years ago has started showing signs of success (nerve take an irritatingly long time to heal) and I'm seeing my disfigured side of my face reanimate and the muscles begin to fill in.

I'm working with a young man with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and we are exploring both TENS and EMS, as well as acupuncture etc. Atrophied muscle with nerve impulse will need more protein and BCAA's definitely make sense and are a part of my personal regiment.

Hope that helps


Eric

Thanks, Eric. You should research the reishi. I don't know what other meds you take and I would caution you to check out all the side effects and interactions first but there is belief based on empirical data that they repair nerves or improve the body's ability to repair nerves. I have tried dozens upon dozens of medications, supplements, food and nothing has given me results achieved with reishi mushrooms. I stopped for almost 90 days with zero regression in improvements. I do know they are really potent and experimented with dosing in soups and found some pretty intense variations. I was amazed at the latest study that claimed they improved the efficacy of chemo/radiation and lessened the side-effects of chemo/radiation. It was done at MSK. I have read some studies on motor neuron diseases and reishi mushrooms as well. Not for the weak of heart literally and figuratively.

I'll look into it, thanks Ed. I love that type of research and MSK is a great facility with a solid reputation, I look forward to the read

Eric,

WOW! Thanks for the info. It may be implied but can you confirm that whey protein concentrates and isolate all contain sufficient BCAAs for optimal protein synthesis?

Is there sufficient balance in the whey protein concentrates that there is not much need for additional supplemental AA? I see L-Glutamine all the time, L-Leucine not as much. Is it usually part of the BCAA complex and no need to worry about finding that specific AA to add?

I use an amino acid supplement powder mixed in water that is quite smoothing so I am using that as a sipping liquid throughout the day, sound OK?