graviola and chemotherapy

mrsgrandlake
mrsgrandlake Member Posts: 23
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hope everyone has some fun this holiday weekend! Just a question for anyone that might know...would it hurt to take graviola along with my current chemo which is Camptosar, Avastin and Xeloda? Have asked my onc about alternative treatments and he says if someone had something that has been scientifically proven to work, then the world would know, millions would be saved and that would be one rich mother!!! hahaha

Comments

  • apache4
    apache4 Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
    I agree with your onc. Some of these things might work for some people, but as he said, without scientific proof through a legitimate trial process, nothing is sure for the majority. Recently, I have been reading about how they are finding that taking vitamin supplements are doing more harm then good. My onc says that with a balanced diet supplements are not necessary. Also,I find that some people are just healthier then others. My labs look great until you go to the liver enzymes which are crap with all the tumors. Otherwise, I am perfectly healthy and always have been. No other ailments or medicines...just chemo. and I am 64. Some thoughts...I know some will disagree.
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #3
    Ahoy, mrsgrandlake -

    Here's what Sloan-Ketering has to say about "guanabana"; that's what is's call in Puerto Rico, where we used to be able to get it at the store... off of trees... in sherbert form... over shaved ice cones on the street corners...)

    Clinical Summary
    Derived from a tree in the rain forests of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. The bark, leaves, root, and fruits have been used as traditional remedies in many countries. Extracts of graviola have been shown to have antiviral (1), antiparasitic, antirheumatic, astringent, emetic (2), antileishmanial and cytotoxic (3) (4) effects. Graviola has also been shown to be effective against multidrug resistant cancer cells line (5) (4). There are no large scale studies in humans on the effects of graviola. Alkaloids extracted from graviola may cause neuronal dysfunction and degeneration leading to symptoms reminiscent of Parkinson's Disease (6).

    (my guess is if you eat the equivalent of 673 guanabanas daily for 16 years)

    It has been my personal observation that many oncologists (many doctors in general) do not support non-pharmacologic, non-traditional, or "eastern" methods of treatment. I don't know if it's because they are ignornat of the methods, fear that people will start using these methods of treatment instead of western doctors, have no interest, or some other reasoning that is beyond me. I do note that Sloan-Kettering site mentions that graviola is an emetic (induces vomiting) so it might not be good for someone on chemo from that aspect.

    I say, if you can use it and if it tastes good over shaved ice, and if it makes you HAPPY to use it - you go, girl!

    Now... maybe you were referring to "graviola" which in the vegan community is granola ravioli... I'll let Emily tell you about that... Em?

    Cheers

    - SpongeBob

    Be well,

    SpongeBob
  • stoutshome
    stoutshome Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Hello, you can look up sloan kettering website and search for herbs. That will take you to the studies they have done with herbs and alternative therapies. Have a great weekend. Linda

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