Supplement |
Warning |
concern level |
Vitamin A
(Retinoic Acid |
evels of > 10,000-25,000 a day may cause congenital deformity, fatigue,
headache, mouth fissures, and increased pressure on the brain. Should be
used with serum levels as guidance, and never during pregnancy.1 The dosage of vitamin A liquid drops
used by cancer patients ranges between 100,000-200,000 IU a day. The
Foundation has cautioned that such high doses could produce toxicity if
taken over extended periods of time. See Appendix A: Avoiding Vitamin A Toxicity for
details. |
|
Arginine |
Arginine can elevate blood sugar by neutralizing insulin in some Type-II
diabetics. Those diabetics contemplating using arginine or Powermaker II
(sugar-free) should check their blood sugar with a glucometer every time
they take the supplement during the first 3 weeks of treatment. Also, some
nutritionists are concerned about using high doses of arginine in cancer
patients because arginine promotes cellular growth and thus could cause
cancer cells to grow faster. Scientific studies show, however, that
arginine provides beneficial effects to cancer patients. Only one study in
breast cancer patients hinted at a risk from arginine supplementation. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Bee Products |
.Bee products should not be administered to children under the age of three,
or to those with allergy to Hymenoptera species. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Beta-Carotene |
Can cause hypercarotenemia (increased blood carotene) with yellowing of skin
which is reversible on discontinuation and also harmless.2 Patients
suffering from liver damage should avoid niacin, vitamin
A, and beta-carotene because these nutrients can
be harmful to such patients. Also, the Life Extension Foundation recommends
against high doses of beta-carotene in AIDS patients who have hepatitis |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Bioflavonoids |
One report of immune hemolysis is noted.3 |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Bismuth |
Do not use if you have kidney or liver disease. May cause dizziness,
headache, or diarrhea. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Caffeine |
Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias or palpitations
should avoid caffeine, which promotes noradrenalin hypersecretion. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Calcium |
More than 2 grams a day from supplementation is not recommended. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Carnitine |
L-carnitine generally recognized as safe (GRAS); DL-carnitine should not be used because of
muscle-weakening effect. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Copper |
Severe toxicity can occur because of contaminated water. Mental and
physical fatigue, depression, insomnia, etc., may result. Copper may
deplete zinc because they compete for absorption in the intestine. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Coumadin + Heparin |
Some nutrients recommended by the Foundation to avoid thrombosis may
interact with anticoagulation prescription drugs such as Coumadin and heparin. It is suggested that
patients taking physician-prescribed anticoagulation drugs be monitored by
their physician when introducing such nutrients. Weekly or biweekly blood
tests are suggested to make sure the blood is within recommended levels for
clotting factors and bleeding times. |
Monitor serum levels of the vitamin or other marker and/or physician
supervision only |
Curcumin |
Do not use curcumin if you have biliary tract obstruction because curcumin
could eliminate the flow of bile excreted through the bile duct. High doses
of curcumin on an empty stomach can cause stomach ulceration. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Deprenyl |
High doses (10 mg a day) of Deprenyl may be detrimental to a patient with
Parkinson's disease, especially when the patient is taking L-dopa. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
DHEA |
Men and women with hormone-related cancer should avoid DHEA. Generally, any
hormone should be used with caution and under the direction of a physician.
See DHEA Replacement Therapy protocol. |
Monitor serum levels of the vitamin or other marker and/or physician
supervision only |
Evening Primrose Oil |
Use with caution in those with temporal lobe epilepsy or bipolar disease. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Fish Oils |
Should be accompanied by mixed vitamin E tocopherols as an antioxidant. Can
decrease clotting factors. Monitor if on anticoagulants. Patients with
leaky blood vessels should exercise extreme caution when taking essential
fatty acids in the form of fish oil concentrates such as Mega-EPA because
they inhibit blood clotting. There is a chance that a cerebral hemorrhage
could occur because the blood-thinning effects these nutrients can produce.
Blood tests that measure clotting time can be used to ensure these nutrients
are not reducing the clotting factors in your blood to abnormal levels. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Folic Acid |
Those with tendency to psychosis should avoid doses exceeding 15 mg/day. A
B12 deficiency with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord may be
masked by folic acid; monitor B12 levels and always take supplemental
vitamin B12 when taking folic acid. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Forskolin |
To determine whether forskolin can replace your antihypertensive drugs,
extreme caution is mandatory and physician cooperation is essential. Reduce
the dosage of your antihypertensive drug very slowly while increasing your
intake of forskolin and monitor your blood pressure on a daily basis. If
you do not exercise caution, an acute hypertensive event could occur,
resulting in a stroke. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Garlic |
Garlic taken in high doses (eg., 6000-8000mg to lower cholesterol) can cause
stomach irritation if taken on an empty stomach. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
L-Glutamine |
Some nutritionists are concerned about the use of high doses of glutamine in
cancer patients. Because glutamine promotes cellular growth, this amino
acid could cause cancer cells to grow faster. Scientific studies show,
however, that glutamine provides beneficial effects to cancer patients. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Gingko |
Trauma involving massive bleeding may preclude the use of flavonoids, such
as gingko that could accelerate hemorrhaging. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Hops |
See Valerian. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Hydergine |
Liquid hydergine should be avoided in treating hemorrhagic stroke because of
hydergine's high alcohol content. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
5-HTP
(5-Hydroxytryptophan) |
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur at higher dosage levels. Avoid by
increasing dose slowly. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Imitrex |
Imitrex, a drug used to block migraine headaches, may have dangerous side
effects in the middle-aged and the elderly. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Interleukin-2 |
Although melatonin is strongly recommended for breast cancer patients,
interleukin-2, which is often combined with melatonin, should be avoided by
breast cancer patients. Interleukin-2 may promote breast cancer cell
division. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Iron |
Supplement only if deficient―excess may cause increased oxidation leading to
inflammation. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
KH3 |
KH3 is an antiaging drug used to improve brain functioning and is available
from many off-shore pharmacies. KH3 contains procaine and hematoporphyrin.
People allergic to procaine or taking sulfa drugs should not take KH3. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Lysine |
This amino acid may not be as effective if person has high levels of
arginine in the diet. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Manganese |
Serious neurological toxicity may occur with large doses or from
occupational exposure. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Melatonin |
Some doctors are under the impression that patients with leukemia, Hodgkin's
disease, or lymphoma should avoid melatonin until more is known about its
effects on these forms of cancer. If melatonin is tried in these types of
cancer, tumor blood markers should be closely monitored for signs that
melatonin is promoting tumor growth. Use melatonin cautiously when treating
autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Some scientists have
speculated that melatonin could increase the severity of an autoimmune
disease. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) |
When used in large doses (>500 mg a day) for lipid control), hepatotoxicity
may occur, especially if reparation is sustained release. Monitor liver
function tests. May increase uric acid. (The flush found after ingestion
of even small amounts is harmless and not an allergic reaction.) Patients suffering from a
severely damaged liver should avoid niacin, vitamin A, and beta-carotene
because these nutrients can be harmful to patients with such conditions.
Some people with liver disease cannot take niacin. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Niacinamide |
The side effects of niacin are generally not present, but neither is the
hypolipidemic therapeutic efficacy. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Passion Flower |
See Valerian. |
|
Phenylalanine |
May cause anxiety, high blood pressure, and headache. Do not use if you
have phenylketonuria. Persons with hypertension should use phenylalanine
with caution because it can elevate blood pressure in hypertensives. Cancer
patients should avoid taking extra phenylalanine and tyrosine because these amino acids can contribute to cancer cell
proliferation. Muscular dystrophy patients should avoid both phenylalanine
and tyrosine. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Pregnenolone |
See DHEA Dosing and Safety Precautions in the DHEA
Replacement Therapy protocol. |
Monitor serum levels of the vitamin or other marker and/or physician
supervision only |
Procaine |
People allergic to procaine (the active ingredient in KH3) or taking sulfa
drugs should not take KH3. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Propranolol |
Those with very low blood pressure or certain forms of congestive heart
failure or asthma should not take propranolol or other beta-blocking drugs. |
Monitor serum levels of the vitamin or other marker and/or physician
supervision only |
St. John's Wort |
Side effects can include insomnia, vivid dreams, restlessness, anxiety,
agitation, irritability, gastointestinal discomfort, fatigue, dry mouth,
dizziness, headache, and parasthesias. Concomitant use may reduce the
therapeutic effects of digitalis. St. John's wort extract decreases digoxin
serum levels by about 25% in healthy people. When using St. John's wort,
avoid prolonged sunlight exposure. Doses of 1800 mg or more a day of St.
John's wort extract can be unsafe because of the risk of severe phototoxic
skin reactions. Concomitant use with oral contraceptives may decrease
steroid concentrations, resulting in breakthrough bleeding and irregular
menstrual bleeding. Effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs such as
nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), and efavirenz (Sustiva) may
be reduced. There is a report of a serotonin-like syndrome (extreme
anxiety, nausea, hypertension, tachycardia) associated with the use of St.
John's wort, especially if combined with tryptophan or SSRIs and other
antidepressants. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Selenium |
Dosages of 200 mcg a day are considered safe. Some people take doses in
excess of 400 mcg a day. Toxic levels probably starting at more than
1000mcg a day, cause hair loss, muscle soreness, nausea, fatigue, and
brittle nails. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Shark Liver Oil |
Do not take shark liver oil for more than 30 days because it may cause the
overproduction of blood platelets. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Soy Extract |
The genistein in soy can interfere with the ability of the radiation to kill
cancer cells, though there are contradictory studies on this issue. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Sulfa Drugs |
People allergic to procaine (the active ingredient in KH3) or taking sulfa
drugs should not take KH3. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Thalidomide |
Users are cautioned that thalidomide――which may be useful in treating wet
macular degeneration and cancer―causes severe birth defects and must never
be used by pregnant women or by women who may become pregnant. |
Monitor serum levels of the vitamin or other marker and/or physician
supervision only |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) |
Injection may cause allergic reaction. Side effects are flushing, shortness
of breath, and rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Thyroid Hormone Therapy |
You must be careful not to overdose on thyroid hormones. The advice of a
physician is important when considering thyroid hormone therapy. |
Monitor serum levels of the vitamin or other marker and/or physician
supervision only |
L-Tryptophan |
Eosinophilia myalgia, a lethal hepatitis, was attributable to a tryptophan
polymer contaminant made by a particular Japanese manufacturer in the
1980s. Properly manufactured tryptophan may have side effects of a
serotonergic syndrome―nausea, excitability, and tremor. Use with caution
with SSRIs or other antidepressant drugs or herbs. Doses under 1 gram are
usually safe. |
Monitor serum levels of the vitamin or other marker and/or physician
supervision only |
Tyrosine |
See Phenylalanine |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) |
In very high doses (more than 300-500 mg a day), this vitamin may cause a
reversible neuropathy with symptoms of tingling and numbness in the
extremities. High doses (more than 500 mg a day) should be used only when a
blood test documents the failure of folic acid, vitamin B12, and TMG to
lower homocysteine levels. Never take high doses of vitamin B6 without also
taking the other B complex vitamins. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) |
No reports of overdosing in the literature. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Vitamin C
(Ascorbic Acid) |
In large doses that vary from one person to the next, vitamin C may cause
diarrhea. Doses > 6 grams a day may increase urinary output of oxalic
acid. There is no proof that large doses cause renal stones. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
Vitamin D3 |
Large doses (>1400-2000 IU a day) may cause hypercalcemia, a decrease in
renal function, and nephrocalcinosis. Monthly blood tests to monitor serum
calcium and parathyroid hormone levels should be done to protect against
vitamin D3 toxicity. Underlying kidney disease precludes high-dose vitamin
D3 supplementation. Although some research indicates that dosages up to
10,000 IU a day are safe, healthy people should stay below 1500-2000 IU a
day. |
Watch for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary |
Vitamin E |
GRAS―Because vitamin E inhibits blood clotting, it should not be used if
excessive bleeding is occurring. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
ValerianValerian |
Some people use the herb valerian to fall asleep. Valerian produces a
drug-like, hypnotic effect, similar to that of benzodiazepine drugs, such as
Valium and Halcion. Because valerian-containing products are often promoted
as natural herbal remedies, the public mistakenly believes they are safe to
take on a regular basis. Studies indicate, however, that there is a
significant toxicity risk when valerian is taken over an extended period of
time. Patients can develop tolerance to valerian because of its Valium-like
properties, and people often need to take increasing amounts of it as time
goes by to continue to obtain the desired hypnotic effect. The chronic use
of valerian could result in permanent liver damage and potential central
nervous system impairment. |
Monitor serum levels of the vitamin or other marker and/or physician
supervision only |
Zinc |
Large doses of zinc (> 75 mg a day) will displace copper from absorption in
the gastrointestinal tract, leading to copper deficiency. Chronic doses of
more than 100-125 mg a day may suppress immune function. |
Generally free of adverse effects |
| |
Large doses (>1400-2000 IU a day) may cause hypercalcemia, a decrease in
renal function, and nephrocalcinosis. |
|
Source: Life Extension Disease Prevention and Treatment, Expanded
Fourth Edition Scientific Protocols that Integrate Mainstream and Alternative
Medicine
|
