Antioxidants in veterinary cancer care

Sadly, integrative care for cats and dogs with cancer makes up a large proportion of the caseload of holistic vets. Pet parents seek alternatives to conventional care, or maybe want to help their pets through toxic treatments like surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Many of our pet patients have specialist oncologist care and general practice care, as well as holistic care vets.

- KAREN GOLDRICK

As well as helping our patients, one of our goals is not to interfere with any conventional treatments, but rather to enhance them. We aim to reduce the side effects of toxic treatments and improve cancer-killing effects, using strategies such as diet supplements including antioxidant vitamins and herbs, as well as other lifestyle suggestions.

Many cancer treatments exert part of their effect by initiating oxidative stress in cancer cells. This can also lead to side effects in healthy organs such as heart and liver, as well as immune or gut problems.

There are concerns among both human and veterinary oncologists that antioxidants may have a protective effect on cancer cells. However, in extensive reviews of studies in human medicine, the evidence suggests that antioxidants may increase the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments and protect the body from side effects. This protective effect often means that cancer treatment can continue, and overall survival, as well as the patient's quality of life, can be increased.

The antioxidant tightrope

In a nutshell, antioxidants are molecules that can neutralise free radicals. Free radicals are a natural byproduct of metabolism. Endogenous antioxidants are products of the body and include glutathione and ubiquinol. Exogenous antioxidants include vitamins A, C and E, selenium, polyphenols and phytochemicals.