title: Use of complementary/integrative nutritional therapies during cancer treatment: implications in clinical practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and characterize the use of complementary/integrative nutritional therapies (CINTs) by patients during cancer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective review used data collected as a part of standard clinical care provided by the registered clinical dietitians and included nutritional history, demographic variables, anthropometrics, prevalence of use, and the specific integrative nutritional therapies used by these patients during cancer treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine percent of 820 patients reported use of CINTs not prescribed by their physician. Caucasians and patients over age 60 were the principal users of CINTs during treatment. Modular vitamins were the most frequently reported additive (86.9%), followed by botanicals/biologics (43.8%) and mineral supplements (28.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A considerable proportion of cancer patients use unproven CINTs during cancer treatment. The health professional should become more aware of the complementary/integrative therapies that their patients are using during cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. kumar@moffitt.usf.edu
authors.forename: Nagi B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Keandra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Riccardi
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Besterman-Dahan
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moyers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014815:Vitamins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D008903:Minerals; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014815:Vitamins