How Breast Cancer Medications Affect Your Nutrients: Tips to Stay Strong
Episode Overview
Breast cancer medications can deplete essential nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, B12, and CoQ10. Deficiencies can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, joint pain, and muscle cramps. Incorporate nutrient-rich foods like dark leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish into your diet. Regular blood work is crucial to monitor nutrient levels. Consult with healthcare providers to create a balanced nutrition plan.
We sometimes think that the side effects like fatigue and joint pain are just from the medication, but there’s more we can do to support our bodies.
In this episode of The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach, Laura Lummer dives into a crucial topic that many breast cancer survivors might not be aware of: how post-treatment medications can deplete essential nutrients in the body. Laura, a certified life, health, and nutrition coach, and a two-time breast cancer survivor, brings her expertise to the table as she explains the impact of common medications like Tamoxifen, Aromatase Inhibitors, Herceptin, Fulvestrant, and Bisphosphonates on nutrient levels.
These medications, while vital for treatment and prevention of recurrence, can lead to deficiencies in nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, B12, and CoQ10. Laura breaks down how these deficiencies can manifest as fatigue, mood swings, joint pain, and more. She offers practical advice on how to counteract these effects through diet and lifestyle changes. For instance, incorporating magnesium-rich foods like dark leafy greens and nuts, and ensuring adequate vitamin D intake through sunlight exposure or fortified foods.
Laura's approach is all about balance—recognising the importance of medications while also understanding how to support your body holistically. She emphasises the value of regular blood work and consulting with healthcare providers to tailor a nutrition plan that complements medical treatments. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of breast cancer recovery and looking for ways to feel better in their own body.