10/08/2025
Here’s a gentle, oncology-friendly support plan for an 87-year-old woman receiving radiation for lymphoma. It’s designed to ride alongside her radiation team’s care and focuses on safety, strength, hydration, skin/gut comfort, and energy—using Designs for Health (DFH), Pure Encapsulations (PE), and Nourish & Flourish (N&F) plus diet and movement.
Important safety up front
Clear all supplements with her oncology team.
Avoid high-dose antioxidants (e.g., large doses of vitamins C/E, CoQ10, ALA, big polyphenol stacks, curcumin megadoses) on treatment days and unless her team approves—these can, in theory, interfere with radiation effects.
Hold probiotics if she is neutropenic (low neutrophils) or has a central line, unless oncology okays.
What to expect & monitor
Common radiation effects (site-dependent): fatigue, skin irritation, dry/sore mouth/throat (head/neck), cough/esophagitis (chest), nausea/loose stools (abdomen/pelvis).
Call urgently for fever ≥100.4°F (38°C), uncontrolled vomiting/diarrhea, blood in stool, chest pain/shortness of breath, sudden weakness or confusion, or rapidly worsening skin reactions.
During radiation (weeks 0–6): simple daily rhythm
1) Nutrition & hydration (priority)
Protein target: 1.2–1.4 g/kg/day (e.g., 70–90 g/day if ~60–65 kg), split over 4–5 feedings to preserve muscle and speed tissue repair.
Calories: don’t restrict—favor small, frequent, easy-to-chew, moist foods.
Hydration: 1.8–2.2 L/day (or per clinician), with electrolytes if dizzy or low appetite.
Texture tweaks by site:
Head/neck/esophagus: soft, cool/warm (not hot) foods; smoothies; avoid sharp/acidic items if mouth sore.
Chest: smaller meals to reduce reflux; upright 30–60 min after eating.
Abdomen/pelvis: if diarrhea, use a low-fiber/low-fat phase (white rice, bananas, applesauce, yogurt, potatoes, eggs) until settled, then advance.
N&F anchor (1–2×/day as needed)
Nourish & Flourish shake: 1 serving/day (add a second if weight loss), blended with water/unsweetened milk + 10–15 g DFH Whole Body Collagen®.
For more calories: add nut butter/avocado/banana.
If loose stools: keep shakes lower-fat and room-temperature.
2) Skin & mouth/throat care (ask her radiation nurse for site-specific brands)
Gentle cleanse with lukewarm water, pat dry; moisturize the treated area after (not right before) sessions as instructed.
Avoid friction, perfume/acidic products, menthol or strong essential oils on the field.
Oral care (if mouth/throat targeted): frequent baking soda/saline rinses; soft toothbrush; bland, moist foods.
3) Nausea/diarrhea toolbox (with team guidance)
Ginger (PE Ginger 250 mg, 1 cap with food up to BID on queasy days) or ginger tea.
Soluble fiber (psyllium ½–1 tsp in water once daily) if stools are loose—skip if constipation.
Magnesium glycinate at night can help sleep/regularity; avoid high doses if stools are loose.
Targeted supplements (start slowly; 1 new item every 3–4 days)
Foundations (generally safe and modest)
Vitamin D3 (+K2) — DFH Vitamin D Supreme or PE D3/K2: 1,000–2,000 IU/day with food, titrate to 25-OH D = 30–50 ng/mL (confirm latest level).
Magnesium (glycinate/bisglycinate) — DFH Magnesium Bisglycinate or PE Magnesium Glycinate: 100–200 mg at bedtime (adjust to bowels and kidney function).
Omega-3 EPA/DHA — DFH OmegAvail® Hi-Po or PE EPA/DHA: ≤1 g EPA+DHA/day with meals (ask first if on anticoagulants or platelets are low).
Mucosal/GI comfort (if approved by oncology)
L-Glutamine (oral) — PE L-Glutamine powder: 5–10 g, 2–3×/day mixed in cool liquid to soothe mouth/throat/GI lining (avoid within 4 hours of radiation session; clear with team).
DFH GI Revive®: ½–1 scoop/day in water between meals (demulcents; helpful for reflux/throat/gut tenderness).
Probiotic — DFH ProbioMed™ 50: 1 cap/day with food only if not neutropenic and oncology agrees; hold with fever or ANC low.
Multinutrient (optional, iron-free)
DFH Twice Daily Multi™ (iron-free) or PE Nutrient 950 (iron-free): 1 cap BID with meals (skip if pill burden is high).
Hold/avoid during radiation unless oncology approves: high-dose vitamin C/E, CoQ10, ALA, resveratrol, curcumin megadoses, green tea extract (EGCG), and large multi-herb “immune” blends. Food-based antioxidants (fruits/veg) are fine.
Light movement (fatigue & function)
Daily walks: 10–20 min (can split into 2–3 mini-walks); aim for gentle nasal breathing, RPE 3–4/10.
Strength: 2×/week, 10–20 min—sit-to-stand, wall/counter push-ups, band rows, heel raises (1–2 sets × 8–12 reps).
Balance: 3–5 min/day near a counter (tandem stance, heel-to-toe).
Stop & rest with dizziness, chest pain, or undue breathlessness.
Recovery phase (weeks 6–12 after finishing radiation)
Appetite rebuild: keep N&F daily; progress to 1.2–1.5 g/kg/day protein consistently.
Re-introduce colorful produce/fiber fully if you had to restrict during treatment.
If the team clears it, titrate activity toward 150 min/week moderate cardio + 2–3×/week light-moderate strength.
Consider adding (with approval) PE CoQ10 100 mg/day for energy after radiation is complete and any acute skin reactions resolve.
Labs & check-ins (coordinate with oncology)
CBC with differential, CMP, vitamin D, weight/appetite, bowel diary, and skin status every 2–4 weeks during treatment and again at 6–8 weeks post-treatment.
Medication review (anticoagulants, BP, diabetes meds) as intake/activity changes.
Simple day template (during treatment)
AM: 5–10 min sunlight + easy walk → N&F shake (+ collagen; add nut butter if weight loss) → Vitamin D
Mid-day: Soft protein-rich lunch (eggs, yogurt, fish, tofu) → Ginger if queasy
PM: 10–15 min walk; Magnesium at bedtime
Throughout: Sip fluids; if loose stools, add ½–1 tsp psyllium in water (away from meds); if mouth/throat sore, L-glutamine swish & swallow (if approved)
Quick product menu (pick only what she’ll use)
DFH: Vitamin D Supreme; Magnesium Bisglycinate; OmegAvail® Hi-Po*; GI Revive®; Twice Daily Multi™ (iron-free); Whole Body Collagen®.
PE: D3/K2 (alt); Magnesium Glycinate (alt); EPA/DHA (alt*); L-Glutamine powder; Ginger caps.
N&F: 1–2 servings/day as protein/calorie anchors.
*Check bleeding risk/platelet count and meds before starting omega-3.
Bottom line: Keep it simple and safe—protein + calories + hydration first, gentle movement, site-specific skin/oral care, and a small, conservative supplement stack that her oncology team okays. That combination usually reduces fatigue, maintains strength, and speeds recovery through and after radiation.