Melaleuca Vitamins to Treat Cancer Patients
Melaleuca is a health and wellness company named after a tea tree oil from Australia. Although Melaleuca produces a variety of cleaning products and personal care items, the company is best known for its vitamins. Of all the different vitamins and supplements produced by Melaleuca, some may be particularly beneficial for patients with cancer. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not tested tea tree oil for its effectiveness. Do not take any vitamins or vitamin supplements without consulting your doctor.
Vitality Calcium Complete
The main ingredient in Melaleuca's Vitality Calcium Complete is vitamin D. Vitamin D is commonly found in tuna, milk and eggs. It also has a positive impact on your immune system and can be taken to make your bones strong. Your body produces vitamin D naturally when exposed to ultraviolet B or UVB rays emitted by the sun, as opposed to artificial UVA rays produced by tanning beds. According to Vanderbilt University, too much exposure to UVA rays may lead to cancer. In a July 2009 study, Dr. Cedric F. Garland et. al. found that vitamin D and calcium help prevent cancer. As such, Melaleuca recommends getting the vitamin D your body needs through Vitality Calcium Complete, combined with a nutritious diet and sufficient outdoor activity.
- The main ingredient in Melaleuca's Vitality Calcium Complete is vitamin D. Vitamin D is commonly found in tuna, milk and eggs.
- As such, Melaleuca recommends getting the vitamin D your body needs through Vitality Calcium Complete, combined with a nutritious diet and sufficient outdoor activity.
CellWise
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Melaleuca defines CellWise as a broad spectrum antioxidant containing vitamin C that fights free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage the cells in your body. They are stabilized by substances called antioxidants. Therefore, antioxidants help limit the damage to the body caused by free radicals. Cell Wise also contains, Oglio -- Melaleuca's patented formula that, according to the company, protects minerals by reducing the generation of excess free radicals. According to the National Cancer Institute, damage caused by free radicals may result in cancer. As such, increasing the amount of antioxidants in the body helps cancer patients fight the disease.
- Melaleuca defines CellWise as a broad spectrum antioxidant containing vitamin C that fights free radicals.
- Therefore, antioxidants help limit the damage to the body caused by free radicals.
Vitality MultiVitamin and Mineral
Maintaining good nutrition is essential for cancer patients. Proper nutrition increases your strength and promotes immune system functioning. For cancer patients, nutrition helps ward off infection, tolerate treatments and recover at a faster pace, according to Cancer Treatment Centers of America 2. To ensure your body is getting all of the nutrients it needs, consider a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Melaleuca's Vitality MultiVitamin and Mineral Supplement contain generous amounts of the nutrients identified by CTCA to improve immune system functioning in cancer patients: beta-carotene, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E.
- Maintaining good nutrition is essential for cancer patients.
- For cancer patients, nutrition helps ward off infection, tolerate treatments and recover at a faster pace, according to Cancer Treatment Centers of America 2.
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References
- National Cancer Institute: Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention - Fact Sheet
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Nutrition Therapy
- Jung, A., Cai, X., Thoene, K. et al. Antioxidant Supplementation and Breast Cancer Prognosis in Postmenopausal Women Undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019. 109(1):69-78. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy223
- Lignitto L, LeBoeuf SE, Hamer H, et al. Nrf2 Activation Promotes Lung Cancer Metastasis by Inhibiting the Degradation of Bach1. Cell. 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.06.003
- Block, K., Koch, A., Mead, M., Tothy, P., Newman, R., and C. Gyllenhaal. Impact of antioxidant supplementation on chemotherapeutic efficacy: a systematic review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials. Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2007. 33(5):407-18.
- Denner, G., and M. Horneber. Selenium for relieving the side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery in cancer patients. Cochrane Library. Updated 02/16/09. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD005077.pub2
- Greenlee, H., Hershman, D., and J. Jacobson. Use of antioxidant supplements during breast cancer treatment: a comprehensive review. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 2009. 115(3):437-52.
- Heaney, M., Gardner, J., Karasavvas, N., Golde, D., Scheinberg, D., Smith, E., and O. O’Connor. Vitamin C antagonizes the cytotoxic effects of antineoplastic drugs. Cancer Research. 2008. 68(19):8031-8.
- Hertz, N., and R. Lister. Improved Survival in Patients with Endstage Cancer Treated with Coenzyme Q10 and Other Antioxidants: a Pilot Study. International Journal of Medical Research. 2009. 37:1961-7 1.
- Lawenda, B., Kelly, K., Ladas, E., Sagar, S., Vickers, A., and J. Blumberg. Should supplemental antioxidant administration be avoided during chemotherapy and radiation therapy?. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2008. 100(11):773-83.
- National Cancer Institute. Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention. Updated 01/16/14.
- National Cancer Institute. High-Dose Vitamin C (PDQ). Updated 04/08/15.
- Peralta, E., Viegas, M., Louis, S., Engle, D., and G. Dunnington. Effect of vitamin E on tamoxifen-treated breast cancer cells. Surgery. 140(4):607-14.
- Perrone, G., Hideshima, T., Ikeda, H. et al. Ascorbic Acid Inhibits Antitumor Activity of Bortezomib in Vivo. Leukemia. 2009. 23(9):1679-1686.
- Subramani, T., Yeap, S., Ho, W., Ho, C., Omar, A., Aziz, S., Rahman, N., and M. Alitheen. Vitamin C suppresses cell death in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells induced by tamoxifenJournal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 2014. 18(2):305-13.
- Velicer, C., and C. Ulrich. Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Use Among US Adults After Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 26(4):665-673.
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Writer Bio
Barbara Aufiero has been writing health-related articles since 2008, specializing in mental health and health insurance. Aufiero resides in New York and holds a Master of Arts in psychology.