question: Dr. Munoz, If somebody is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer is there any problem with them being on JUS? If not, how much JUS should they take?

answer: When people ask me this question I usually refer them to a greatly referenced book by Patrick Quillin, PhD called Beating Cancer with Nutrition. The bottom line is that antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer has been shown to make the chemotherapy and radiation therapy MORE EFFECTIVE in cancer elimination (most authorities however consider this topic controversial since some other studies on individual antioxidants, i.e. vitamin E, may have been shown make chemotherapy less effective). Antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy and radiation therapy has also been shown in some studies to improve survival and to decrease the toxic side effects secondary to chemotherapy.

In my opinion, from a risk/benefit analysis I would not even hesitate in my decision to take antioxidants if placed in this situation. FYI, the hypothesis that antioxidants will “feed” the cancer or nullify the pro-oxidative effects of chemotherapy has never been clearly or defintively proven. It is a theoretical hypothesis that many oncologists impose on their patients. Unfortunately, the majority of these oncologists have not done the actual evidence-based research on how nutrition and supplementation truly impacts chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Lastly, I would argue a common sense approach to this question. Most people agree that “the human body has an amazing ability to heal itself when given the right conditions.” An oncologist suggesting not taking JUS during chemotherapy/radiation therapy is like saying “please limit the amount of fruits and vegetables that you eat during this therapy as it may ‘feed the cancer’ and make the therapy less effective.” Does that make any sense? How is the body supposed to heal itself and keep that cancer in check without proper nutrition? I could go on and on regarding this question but would rather leave it at that.

BTW, my grandmother underwent chemotherapy for lymphoma and was taking 2 ounces of JUS per day. She is doing great and has been in remission for over a year.

Dr. David Munoz