St. John’s Wort

grammyk

I read that St. John’s Wort has phytoestrogens in it. I am 8 years out from Estrogen positive invasive ducal breast cancer. Is it safe to use?

jvbaseballmom2

I would check with your doctor. I was also estrogen positive and I avoid taking supplements if they contain phytoestrogens and even soy.

Bug

Agree. I would definitely check with your doctor.

ChicagoSandy

Actually, what I was told was that St. John's Wort occupies the same enzymatic pathway as aromatase inhibitors, and therefore would block the effectiveness of the latter.

MarcieB

I have just looked into all the foods that are high in phytoestrogens...and have come to the conclusion that we must all now become carnivores because those natural fruits and vegetables, (which we have been encouraged to eat all our lives...) are chock full of them. Of course there are the red meat warnings, the gluten factors, the danger of white sugar...it's getting pretty hard to navigate! I have heard St John's Wort is good for mood adjustment, but I think some of the B vitamins are as well? It sounds like a good discussion to have with your doctor. And maybe pass the info on to us here? A LOT of us take those darn aromatase inhibitors.

Lorie

Great post Marcie. When I first started radiation, I asked my Doc if I should be careful with any foods, etc. His answer was...everything ok in moderation. It took me coming to this site and seeing posts from members who obviously had a little more knowledge than he did. A couple years later his partner who does a weekly column in local newspaper was touting the benefits of food that was good for cancer patients. My first target was milk without hormones and I've been adding/deleting items from my diet and reading labels since. I have a long way to go because just yesterday am I looked at the label on creamer I put in my morning tea. YUK!! I switched to Oat Milk but forgot the creamer. Maybe no hormones but didn't recognize 80% of the ingredients.
I wrote this because most doctors aren't versed in nutrition but you would think a doctor treating cancer would know a little more.
PS. I switched radiation oncologists to his partner.

petieagnor

I always ask my PCP before I start any new drugs. He was surprised I started taking vitamin D3 w/o asking. He was suggesting I start, but heard so much on the news didn't wait for my appointment. Yes, everything in moderation. I try to avoid all snacks with ingredients that I can't pronounce.