Ask the expert
Weight gain
Question
You mention that during cancer treatment most people have difficulty in eating, unfortunately i dont! I have gained about 2+ stone since being diagnosed in August last year. I am undergoing chemo at the moment and have little energy to do much in the way of exercise and am eating as well as before if not a little better!! I also have crohns disease and eating fruit and veg is very difficult. I would like to know if there is a multi-vitamin that i could take to help me get the nutriants i need to ensure that i am not lacking in all the good stuff.
Answer
If you're eating well and gaining weight it would be beneficial to check whether you're diet is actually nutritionally complete as it is, or perhaps with a few small changes you could achieve nutritional adequacy. You can ask your GP or Hospital Doctor to refer you to a Registered Dietitian who will be able to assess your intake and advise accordingly.
If you require a multivitamin and mineral supplement, then I would recommend that you take one comprehensive tablet per day and avoid taking a range of supplements. This is because there is a risk of ‘mega-dosing' when taking a range of supplements, providing nutrients at far above nutritional needs, which could be detrimental to health.
A comprehensive multivitamin and mineral tablet can be bought over the counter in your local Pharmacy, Chemist or Supermarket. Examples include Centrum, Sanatogen and Multibionta. Many stores make their own brand which is often a little cheaper. Ask to speak to the Pharmacist for advice if you're unsure which product would suit your needs best.
If you would like to arrange a multivitamin and mineral supplement on prescription, Forceval, Dalivit and other preparations can be prescribed by your Doctor if they feel it is necessary.
