The Bristol Approach to supplements

Introduction

These guidelines, along with the Bristol Approach to healthy eating, form the basis for the Bristol Approach to nutrition. The supplement recommendations are designed to help ensure people receive the optimal level of nutrients
required to assist with the healing and regeneration processes and to strengthen the body overall.

If I am having a good balanced and varied diet why should I take supplements?

We recommend that people take a range of nutrients as a supplement to a healthy diet as research studies show that the right levels of nutrients are protective against cancer and support health following a diagnosis.

While ideally we should receive these nutrients from food, even with the best diet this may not be possible. Intensive farming practices have led to a decline in the nutritional value of certain foods so it may not be possible to get all the nutrients you need in the right amounts all of the time. Also, no one is quite sure of the impact of the increased number of chemicals we are exposed to in everyday life, so there is an even greater need for nutrients to help with detoxification and protection of the body’s organs.

What supplements should I take?

This guide contains information about vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, together with suggested dosages, that are thought to be particularly supportive for people who have had a cancer diagnosis. Penny Brohn Cancer Care has developed the Bristol Approach Supplement Pack containing a wide range of essential nutrients, with emphasis on obtaining maximum absorption and bioavailability.

For those people wishing to choose their own supplements there are details on what sort of supplements are most beneficial. People without cancer who wish to promote their general health may also find these guidelines helpful.

Do I need to take all the supplements you suggest?

Research suggests that nutrients work best when combined in the way that they work together in the body, the action of one enhancing the actions of others. A good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement will contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals in levels that will allow them to work effectively together. If levels of particular nutrients within a multivitamin and mineral are low, people may add individual nutrients to reach the recommended dosage.

You mention antioxidants as being helpful. What are they?

An antioxidant is a substance that prevents damage caused by excess free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that often contain oxygen that can damage important parts of a cell such as DNA. Free radicals are known to be involved in the development of cancer.

Why are the vitamin and mineral doses you suggest higher than the recommended daily allowance (RDA)?

The RDA is often the level that prevents a deficiency disease, for example scurvy, but will not necessarily be at a level for optimum health maintenance. Our guidelines are designed to support overall health including the immune system of people with cancer and are therefore often higher than the RDA.

When should I take my supplements?

Unless otherwise stated on the label supplements are usually best taken with food.

Can I take supplements during treatment?

If you are having chemotherapy all supplements should be stopped two days before your chemotherapy dose and restarted three days later unless advised otherwise by a doctor. If chemotherapy is continuous this means you will not be taking supplements during your treatment unless your consultant has specifically agreed that you may take them. You can continue to take supplements during radiotherapy.

I am in remission. Do I still need to take supplements?

All doses for people with a cancer diagnosis should be continued into remission. We recommend that people taking supplements daily, over a long period of time, have regular one-to-one appointments with a nutritional therapist and phone our Helpline on 0845 123 23 10 for the latest healthy eating and supplement guidelines.

What products should I choose?

As with most things, better quality supplements tend to be more expensive. Better quality supplements will contain fewer nonactive ingredients, such as preservatives and binding agents, and are less likely to contain artificial sweeteners and colours. There are many brands to choose from. Finding good quality supplements, with the levels we recommend can be difficult so Penny Brohn Cancer Care has created a Bristol Approach Supplement Pack. The pack contains levels of nutrients in line with our core recommendations.

What should I do if I have difficulties swallowing tablets?

Large tablets can be crushed, and capsules pierced (please note lycopene products may stain the teeth), and many vitamins and minerals can be obtained in liquid and powder form. If you have a problem absorbing vitamins, you might consider using liquid sublingual products, designed to be absorbed under the tongue or in the cheek cavity.

How do you make your guidelines?

They are based on current research findings in consultation with experts, and are regularly reviewed. These guidelines provide general guidance that may not be appropriate for people with particular diseases or health conditions other than cancer. People should consult a nutritional therapist for further guidance; call our Helpline on 0845 123 23 10 for details on fi nding a nutritional therapist, and always inform your medical team if you are considering supporting your current situation with supplements.

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Download our supplement guidelines here

Click here for a PDF file of our Bristol Approach to supplements.