Supplements & diet to take with Keytruda

[Sensai7]

My doc has asked me to take a very high protein diet during immunotherapy along with the following supplements

1. Probiotic VSL 3

2. Vitamin D3 once a week

3. Becasule B vitamins

4. COQ10

5. Evion

Have any of you also been asked to take these supplements and a high protein diet? Would be good to know. According to my doctor immunotherapy works better with the above.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

While I’ve no personal experience with Keytruda I do know this- most MDs know nothing about supplements and vitamins so they don’t recommend anything more than a multivitamin to patients. And they don’t know what to tell a patient if they ask. If this was my doctor, I’d follow it.

I’m very interested in learning what you do find out here.

[Sensai7 in reply to Denzie]

Hi Denzie, my doctor on the contrary knows a lot about nutrition. He treats a huge number of patients with immunotherapy and seems to be very particular about diet and nutrition to go with it. I am vegan and so he gave me excellent suggestions on how to increase my protein intake.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Sensai7]

I’m impressed. I wish more would follow your dr‘s lead. Is he an integrative oncologist then?

[Sensai7 in reply to Denzie]

No a medical oncologist

[JeeperJoe]

My wife was the patient and was given no such dietary information. Keytruda was a bust for her- after 3 infusions it was discovered the her cancer was unimpeded and the therapy was stopped. Your doctor's dietary advice makes perfect sense to me and I am anxious to see the results. My best wishes to you.

[Sensai7 in reply to JeeperJoe]

Thanks so much Joe. I have had one infusion and the second is coming up. Chemo failed for me so I am running out of choices.

[ThePurplePlace]

I was on (Opdivo) much like Keytruda and had an excellent response, BUT I was never told to take any supplements or try any special diet. I must have done something right, because it worked amazingly well for me in only 9 months. I'm now in remission!

For the record, I did take Probiotics and Vitaman D, and always have, so that was not new for me. As for my regular diet I try to eat a fairly healthy diet - everything but in moderation. I do not eat processed foods or much white sugar.

My tastes totally changed after cancer and many foods no longer taste good to me, so I eat what tastes good, which can be a big challenge. I also no longer like a lot of spices and found that I'm better off with pretty bland foods? NOT sure why, but this started about 4 hours ago and has not changed?

Best wishes to you!

[Hippieluv]

Sensai7, did he explain why he picked them, how specifically do they help. Would love to know the reasonings for these supplements.

[Sensai7 in reply to Hippieluv]

He did say that the supplements are needed to strengthen the t cells or something like that. He said immunotherapy is not a chemical like chemo. It works by setting off a chain reaction which takes 5 weeks to complete. The diet and supplements keep the cycle going. Two things are most important....probiotics and a very high protein diet.

[Jen46240]

Hi! I heard you aren’t supposed to take probiotics with immunotherapy, but I have also heard that gut flora is important. If your oncologist recommended it, I would do it! My dad is supposed to take vitamin D because he just started Xgeva and takes folic acid in anticipation of Alimta. Let us know how it goes! Wishing you good luck and sending healthy thoughts your way❤️

[Sensai7 in reply to Jen46240]

My onco is insisting on probiotics. I am also taking fermented rice which is supposed to be the most powerful natural probiotic. I have just had 2 infusions so far so keeping fingers crossed. Thanks for your good wishes.