Supplements 101 Episodes

Did you know frankincense is from the Boswellia plant? Tina and Leah delve into frankincense's history, uses, and benefits, especially in integrative cancer care. They discuss how to test the purity of essential oils, the various therapeutic applications of frankincense, including its anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer properties, and the intricacies of using it safely. ASCO Update on Boswellia Aromatase Inhibitor induced arthritic pain - Boswellia, Lipoic acid, and MSM Boswellia ...

‘Tis the Season! Join Tina and Leah for a fascinating exploration of myrrh, the ancient resin with powerful medicinal properties. Discover how this biblical gift continues to prove its worth in modern medicine, from supporting oral health to promoting wound healing. The doctors examine the scientific evidence behind myrrh’s antiseptic properties and discuss emerging research on its potential anti-cancer effects. Whether you're interested in natural medicine, science, or the intersection of trad...

An inflamed bladder (cystitis) can be caused by infections (urinary tract infection, UTI) or from treatment itself (radiation, chemotherapy, other drugs). Did you know some foods can irritate an inflamed bladder? Removing them can provide relief! Tina and Leah discuss the many ways that you can soothe and support your bladder with diet and herbs. Join the discussion and learn how to improve your own bladder health! Foods that can irritate the bladder (from Brigham and Women's Hospital) A techni...

Prebiotics feed our probiotics. So which is more important? Should you supplement with prebiotics? In this episode Tina and Leah discuss the different types of prebiotics and where to find them. They also talk about ketogenic diets, when a probiotic may interfere with treatment, and the hidden benefits in potatoes, rice and pasta! Here are the seven categories of prebiotics we talked about in this episode: Inulin, FOS, GOS, resistant starches, arabinooxalans, pectins, and beta glucans Links to...

Electrolyte balance is essential for optimal function of all of our systems. This episode covers the electrolytes you should pay close attention to during and after treatment. We're not talking designer drinks or influencer hacks to your biology, just practical knowledge and tips to help you balance your electrolytes. Join Tina and Leah as they talk about how to know if you have imbalanced electrolytes and what you can do to monitor and optimize them. Prior episodes related to this episode: Cal...

Ginger "root" has been used for thousands of years. Technically a rhizome, not a root, ginger's modern-day claim to fame is its ability to prevent the onset of nausea. Ginger is so reliable and safe that it's been studied to prevent nausea during pregnancy as well as chemo-induced nausea. But that is just the beginning of the benefits of ginger. It can be used to support immune function and lower cardiovascular risk, among its many uses. Join Tina & Leah as they explore the most rel...

We've all heard that "the dose makes the poison." Nowhere is this a more apt saying than with nutmeg. Hey, don't get us wrong, just a wee bit of nutmeg can help you tolerate some of those holiday food indulgences! Nutmeg is warming, has anti-parasite and pain-relieving properties, and can be used topically for pain relief. Join us as we touch on some history and give you our takes on nutmeg: the spice, the medicine, the poison. Oh, and go ahead and share this episode with so...

'Tis the season! Pine trees are everywhere! From vitamin C to turpentine (yes, the paint thinner!), pine trees give us a lot to talk about. Listen in as Tina & Leah chat about the uses and cautions of the ubiquitous pine tree in this holiday minisode. And don't forget... hit those 5 stars and send this episode to someone you think would enjoy it! Thanks for listening!! Memorial Sloan-Kettering's summary of pine bark A lovely read on the medicinal uses of pine (and a recipe) The science...

It's that time of year! Cranberries are in season! There's a good chance you'll sit down to some cranberry dishes or drinks during the holidays. Maybe this episode can be fodder for conversation? ("Yes, Uncle Frank, those pics are... something. That chicken nugget really does look like Elvis. A-hem, how about this cranberry sauce? Did you know... ") In this holiday minisode, Tina & Leah chat about the history, the culinary, and the medicinal uses of cranberries. So, what are you w...

Green tea is a hugely popular drink and supplement. But are its health claims warranted? In this episode, Tina & Leah bring you the facts about green tea's benefits. As usual, there are some unique considerations regarding cancer. So tune in to find out if this anti-oxidant-rich tea should be a high priority on your to-do list! Memorial Sloan-Kettering summary on green tea ASCO position paper on green tea Bottled versus Brewed green tea Effects on Cancer stem cells Topical green tea preventing ...

Adaptogens are all the rage, making their way into popular pick-me-up products (looking at you, Monster energy drinks). Many different plants are adaptogens (Ashwaganda, Ginseng, Rhodiola, etc), but should these plants really be taken willy-nilly? Tina & Leah give you the low down on adaptogens, including their uses, side effects, and some contraindications. What's an adaptogen? "a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily proces...

Probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, Oh My! The “bugs” in our guts have more to do with cancer than you may think. They interact intimately with your immune system and can influence cancer treatment effectiveness. Join Tina & Leah as they discuss the bugs we love, probiotics! Probiotics- What they are, and what they are not The. Federal Trade Commission challenges Dannon’s claims regarding Activia yogurt Bacteria found inside pancreatic cancer are able to metabolize chemo (gemcitabine) Taking an...

99% of calcium is in our bones. The last 1% is a fine balancing act between hormones and nutrients. So how much should you consume? What are the best supplement forms? What foods (besides dairy) have the highest amounts? What if it’s high or low on your lab reports? Tune in and find out as Tina & Leah tell you all about our most abundant mineral, calcium. Links to relevant prior episodes: Supplements 101: Understanding The Basics Dairy: Does it Promote Cancer? Bone Health: Survivorsh!t! Magnesi...

Magnesium deficiency is incredibly common. No need for this, though. There are simple labs to run. You can also fix a deficiency with food and supplements. But what are some symptoms of Mg deficiency? And who should NOT be taking it as a supplement? Join Tina & Leah as they chat about the 4th most abundant mineral in the human body. (What's #1? You'll have to tune in.) Let's face it, nutrition advice is all over the board these days. Whatever your menu looks like, you need to ensure you get foo...

Did you know blood levels of B12 are likely to be high in those with cancer? Is this harmful? What about B12 deficiency? What should you look for? Tina & Leah talk about vitamin B12 and why you shouldn’t just take it willy-nilly. Cobalamin (B12) is a nutrient that can often be deficient, especially in vegans/vegetarians, anyone with chronic GI issues, and even simple aging leads to lower levels. On the flip side, those with solid tumors tend to have higher levels circulating in their blood. Wha...

Melatonin is a popular supplement in cancer care. Tina & Leah review the many uses of melatonin and tackle some controversies around this powerful hormone. Join us as they chat, like only two naturopathic docs can. Did you know melatonin was first discovered in 1958? That’s a long time ago! Amazingly, research is still uncovering new ways melatonin affects the body. We know it sets our circadian clocks, influences immune cells and acts as an antioxidant inside cells. But like so many natural a...

Curcumin is what makes turmeric orange. It is also a very popular supplement. What does it do exactly? How should it be taken? How is it used in integrative oncology? Can you take it with chemo? Tina & Leah answer these questions and much more in this episode of The Cancer Pod. Want to support the show? Just buy us a coffee! Buymeacoffee and THANK YOU! Links we mentioned on this episode and other cool stuff: A review of the health benefits of Curcumin Foods Turmeric in cancer care Memorial-S...

Mushrooms are a valuable food and medicine, but which ones are best? Are they safe during treatment for cancer? What’s the proper dose? Do they really affect immune function? Tina & Leah discuss all of this and more from a practical- and as always-naturopathic perspective. The use of mushrooms dates back thousands of years. As a food, mushrooms add nutrients like vitamin D, B vitamins and even protein to your diet. As a medicine, all mushrooms contain components that help support proper immune ...

L-glutamine is a "conditionally essential" amino acid. What's that? Tune in & find out: what glutamine is, what it does, and when you shouldn't be taking it. Tina & Leah discuss generalities and then delve into specifics, particularly for those who have (or had!) cancer. Glutamine is one of those supplements that many people take…. willy-nilly. That’s a bad idea. There is a time and a place for glutamine supplementation. Listen in to find out more. Why is glutamine so tricky to use a...

Vitamin C: so simple, so necessary... but what is it used for exactly? And what does deficiency look like? Is vitamin C deficiency linked to cancer incidence? Recurrence? Are there times when it should not be taken? Tina & Leah answer all of these questions and more! Vitamin C is vital to the production of collagen, immune cells, and energy from fats in our diet, to name just a few of its actions. Sometimes called ascorbic acid or ascorbate, vitamin C is a nutrient that you can get from various...

What exactly is collagen? Does it really support skin and joints? And, most pressing: IS IT SAFE to take (in general? if you've had cancer?) Tina and Leah answer all of this and more as they discuss one of the most popular functional foods available today. Did you know there are at least 28 different types of collagen in the human body? It is by far the most abundant protein in humans, accounting for about 30% of the total protein content in the body. Collagen is a "scaffolding" protein becaus...

Vitamin D may be the most pivotal nutrient in all of cancer care. Tina and Leah talk about this hormone masquerading as a “vitamin.” How much is ideal? Do you need to take it? Can you get what you need from the sun? Is it even safe to take? There is a tremendous amount of information on vitamin D and cancer, so there is a lot to sift through to figure out what is well-founded and what is hype. Tina and Leah discuss the data, their experiences with patients, and how you can optimize your levels....

In this episode, Tina and Leah cover what you need to know about folate, otherwise known as vitamin B9 or folic acid. What could be so important about folate that a whole episode is dedicated to it, you ask? Well, there are times when supplementation is needed and other times when it could be detrimental. Companies selling supplements aren’t going to tell you the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but we will. Plus, there is a lot of misinformation out there on folate/folic acid, and who be...

What exactly are omega-3 fatty acids? They are essential, but what does “essential” even mean? Why do we need them? How are they used in our bodies? What foods are the best sources? In this episode, Tina and Leah tackle these questions and more. They also discuss the role of omega-3s before, during, and after treatment for cancer. They include a few studies that show particular benefits during conventional cancer treatments and some cautionary notes too. And , keep an ear out for hot tips and ...