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Before we dive in, a quick note: I’ve always believed in getting as many nutrients as possible from real, whole food. Before my diagnosis, I took very few supplements—just a basic multi and the occasional boost. But when your body needs a little extra help, as mine did during treatment and recovery, I’m grateful that the right supplements were available to support my healing.

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That said, this route can get expensive. If you’re building your own protocol, I recommend looking into subscription options that often come with discounts. And quality matters—be cautious of where you order from. I’ve had a great experience using Fullscript, which offers trusted brands vetted by healthcare professionals.  If you purchase via Amazon, be sure to check the "sold by" supplier and make sure they are official and trusted.

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When you're navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, there's no shortage of advice. Supplements were a cornerstone of my own healing journey, but the key was working with trusted professionals to curate a protocol that made sense for my body. I had the support of two brilliant integrative naturopaths: Dr. Sandra Colvard of UCI Health's Susan Samueli Institute and Dr. Mark Stengler. Together, we designed a plan that evolved across stages of treatment and focused on supporting my immunity, hormonal balance, detoxification, and full-body recovery.

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Here’s a breakdown of what I took and why—organized by treatment stage and benefit. As always, please consult with your care team before adopting anything new.

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Before and After Surgery: Immunity and Healing

• Vitamin C (Vital Nutrients - 1g/day): Supports tissue repair and boosts immune defenses. Research suggests vitamin C contributes to wound healing and immune modulation.

• Vitamin D3 (Pure Encapsulations - 5000 IU/day): Vital for immune modulation and bone health. Optimal serum levels are associated with improved cancer outcomes.

• DIM (Diindolylmethane): Promotes healthy estrogen metabolism

• Curcumin Phytosome (Thorne - 2G/day): Reduces systemic inflammation.

• PectaSol (Econugenics Lime Powder - 5G 3x/day): Supports immune function, cellular activity, and some studies claim prevents metastasis. 

• Glutathione (Quicksilver): Critical for detoxification and oxidative stress support. Recommended during high-toxicity periods like surgery and radiation.

• Omega-3 (Nordic Naturals - 2000mg/day): Anti-inflammatory.

• Turkey Tail Mushroom (Dr. Stengler’s Immunity formula or Nature Restore Coriolus Versicolor - 3G/day): Rich in polysaccharide-K (PSK), which may improve immune response in cancer patients. Extensively studied in breast and gastrointestinal cancers

• Reishi (Rainbo tincture - 1G/day): Supports immune resilience and has anti-tumor properties. Traditional use supported by emerging research

• Berberine (Thorne - 2 caps/day): Metabolic support and may inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death).

• 5-HTP XR (100mg/day): Mood and serotonin support.

• High Quality Collagen (Perfect Hydrolyzed Collagen Unflavored): Promotes wound healing and supports skin, tendons, and connective tissue.

• Probiotics (Seed): Gut health impacts immune function, inflammation, and mental clarity.

• Broc Shot (Sulforaphane): Aids excess estrogen metabolism.
   

During Radiation: Skin and Cellular Support

Note: I paused most antioxidant supplements to avoid potentially reducing treatment efficacy.

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• L-Glutamine (15G/day in 3 divided doses): Helps reduce oxidative stress while preserving skin integrity, only during radiation as L-Glutamine supplementation is controversial with cancer patients.

• Miaderm cream (4x/day): Specialized radiation skin cream.
  
  🌼Homemade calendula spray and/or green tea spray: Anti-inflammatory and skin-calming.  I used this immediately after every radiation treatment right on my axilla.  Combine 2 TBSP of dried organic calendula leaves with 1/2 cup boiling water and let sit for an hour.  Let completely cool and strain into a sanitized glass spray bottle.  Store the bottle in the fridge and replace every 3-5 days.

 

Post-radiation, I started a course of high dose Vitamin C therapy - 50G every two weeks for about 3 months.  Then I tapered to monthly.  You can read more about the benefits of Vitamin C therapy in the book Outside The Box Cancer Therapies.  Important note: Make sure you are receiving the IVs from trained medical facilities.  You should be required to take a G6PD test first.  I received my IV therapy first from The Stengler Center, then from UCI Health when they started their program closer to my home and now the Hydration Room for convenience.

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During Endocrine Therapy (Letrozole and Lupron): Hormonal & Bone Support

I resumed all supplements mentioned in the before and after surgery section with a few adjustments:

• Removed DIM because it was duplicative with my hormone suppressing Letrazole and Lupron.

• Added in bone support supplements due to my lower estrogen.

• Lowered PectaSol to 5G/day for maintenance once cancer free and continued help with detox.

• LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone, 4.5mg): Used off-label for immune modulation and inflammation. A naturopath can prescribe through a compounding pharmacy.  Also referenced in  Outside The Box Cancer Therapies.

• Calcium/Bone Health Supplement (Dr. Stengler Bone Plus): Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K2 to protect bones.

• Silica (FloraSil - 1 cap 2x/day): Supports hair, skin, nail and bone strength.

• Milk Thistle Extract (200mg/day): Aids liver in metabolizing medications and hormones.

• Bonafide Relizen (2 caps/day): Hot flash support.  

 

A Note on Customization

This list is not one-size-fits-all. I’ve shared it to help demystify the process and encourage you to advocate for an integrative care plan that’s tailored to your needs. Work with your doctor. Get testing when necessary. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.

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Because the truth is, I feel just as energetic and strong as ever!  And I believe supplementation has meaningfully contributed to my healing and vitality.

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Disclaimer:

Every person’s cancer journey is unique, and treatment plans should always be personalized. The information shared in this post is based on my own experience and is intended for informational and supportive purposes only. Please consult your physician or medical team before making any changes to your treatment, supplements, or self-care routine.