Does Propax intefere with my medical treatments?

Frequently, doctors and patients are given the impression that nutrients and by extension nutrition can have a destructive impact on standard medical care therapies such as chemotherapy. Relative to moderately dosed dietary supplements such as Propax with NT Factor® this is an uninformed opinion that is not supported by a review of available scientific literature. Please note caution should be exercised when using supplement containing high doses of individual nutrients and medical advice should be sought. Also, there are few prescription medications that should not be used simultaneously with certain nutrients and the pharmacist dispensing the medication will provide this information. Generally, the medications should be separated from dietary supplements by at least two hours before or after, however please read the information provide by your pharmacist for more precise instructions.

Nutritional Therapeutics, Inc., the manufacturers of Propax with NT Factor®, have supported numerous scientific literature reviews that address these issues and may be viewed, printed or downloaded. The articles are in the research section of this website and may be accessed at www.propax.com/Research/Research_SS.html.

A particular area of concern is chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment. To quote Dr Jerome B. Block, Professor of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine and former Chief, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA ; "Hypotheses that antioxidants' inhibition of free-radical activity may negate cytotoxic properties of some cancer therapies have been dependent on naive and inaccurate assumptions." This means that nutrition does not have the power to stop the intended purpose of these treatments. Nevertheless, it is prudent to skip nutritional supplements on the days of treatment since these treatments depend on stimulating free radical activity.

It should not be inferred that NTI endorses the use of supplements for the treatment of cancer or of any disease. However, it is clear that dietary supplements properly presented will have dramatic quality of life improvements for people who undergo these treatments. Physicians, pharmacists and consumers should enjoy greater confidence that dietary supplement usage is beneficial. For more information on this topic, please see the studies on Antioxidants and Cancer, Cancer Risk Reduction, Antioxidants and Drug Therapy and Complimentary Medicine in Oncology.

All of the nutrient quantities in Propax are at moderate levels and similar to the amounts found in a quality diet. When combined with NT Factor® the nutrient complex take on the character of a complete food. The reason Propax with NT Factor® helps when no other nutritional or drug regimen does on a reproducible basis is as follows.

All nutrients have cellular antioxidant capability. The principal action of antioxidants is to protect cell & mitochondrial membrane from free radical attack. However, in the already compromised individual, as evidenced by their conditions, typical nutrients have limited capacity to work effectively because damage and assault on cells pre-exist.

NT Factor® introduces the ability to restore cell membrane health¹and nourish healthy cell membrane and mitochondria membrane² thereby setting the stage for better utilization of moderately dosed nutrients while at the same time inhibiting cancer cells (see report from Harvard Medical School's Department of Glycobiology).

Propax does not contain any amount of any one or combination of nutrients that would interfere with treatments. Nutrients that support rapidly dividing cells (the type of cell that chemotherapy targets) are held to an absolute minimum such as vitamin C and folic acid^1,2. TOP

What is PROPAX with NT Factor®?

PROPAX with NT Factor® is dietary supplementation clinically validated to reduce and eliminate fatigue, the most frequently mentioned complaint in primary care¹. Propax with NT Factor® provides a broad range of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidant,essential fatty acids with pro-biotics. NT Factor®, is a nutrient complex medically validated to improve and preserve membrane health^1,2. It is also a whole food tablet base that improves membrane health, benefits gastrointestinal health, enhances nutrient absorption, supports immune function and provides for the tablets to be all-natural and completely derived from food sources. This formula includes all the nutrients a person typically would want or need for the purposes of providing effective nutritional support from a dietary supplement. Note that it does not provide a significant caloric value and does not replace meals. All the nutrients that would be contained in a quality multi-vitamin, multi-mineral, antioxidant, essential fatty acid, probiotic and energy support formulations are included in moderate and well balanced amounts in PROPAX with NT Factor®. TOP (View ingredients)

Do I have to take Propax with NT Factor® with my meals?

Propax with NT Factor® can be taken with or without food. It does not serve as a meal replacement and should not be swallowed with coffee or liquid meal replacements. Patients may use liquid meal replacements one hour before or after using Propax with NT Factor®. TOP

Why do I need to take the soft gel capsule 1 hour after the tablets?

The fish oils present in the soft gel capsule can interfere with Propax with NT Factor®'s energy restoring nutrients when both are in the digestive tract at the same time. This suggestion is made to maximize the membrane restoring properties of NT Factor and may be ignored if dosing schedules are prohibitive.

Intermittently, the fish oils may repeat in some individuals. Though this minor discomfort may be inconvenient, the fish oils are an integral part of the overall nutrient strategy and taking the soft gel capsule with at least a small amount of food may alleviate this problem. TOP

How long should I take Propax with NT Factor®?

Propax with NT Factor® will continue to deliver a beneficial value when used regularly. It provides complete, adequate nutrient supplementation and can be taken indefinitely. Clincal trials have demonstrated that NT Factor will restored membrane health in elderly people to levels normal for young healthy adults.^1,2 The same study also concluded that for people to maintain the improved benefit they should continue using NT Factor. The amount of NT Factor used daily by study participants was equal to the amount of NT Factor in two packets of Propax. TOP

Are there any medical contraindications for Propax? Can it be used with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy?

All of the ingredients in Propax with NT Factor® are food and are recognizable as food to the body. Much research points to the necessity of good nutrition being an integral part of cancer management. Propax does not present a potential to interfere with treatment. TOP

How do I obtain PROPAX with NT Factor®?

PROPAX can be ordered online at this web site, through your physician's office, at your local pharmacy, or by calling Nutritional Therapeutics, Inc. at 1-800-982-9158. TOP

How do I begin using Propax with NT Factor®?

Propax with NT Factor® is available in bottle sizes of 30, 60 or 90 multi-packs. It contains a regimen of 1-3 multi-packs to be taken throughout the day. Our general recommendation is to use two multi-packets per day. Individuals who wish to be more precise can view our section on expanded dose information and/or take the validated fatigue survey. Each multi-pack consists of 4 tablets and 1 soft gel capsule. The 4 tablets may be taken one hour before the soft gel capsule (if dose scheduling is prohibitive the soft gel capsule may be taken with the tablets). If a soft gel capsule dose is missed it may be doubled up later in the day. It is recommended that patients take their last packet before 5pm due to the increased energy levels that may keep some individuals awake beyond their normal bedtimes.

- Startup Strategy for individual undergoing cyto-toxic treatment (example; chemotherapy)

Individuals who tend to experience flatulence with a variety of foods should begin with 1 multi-pack per day for 5 days, followed by 2 multi-packs a day for the next 5 days and thereafter 3 multi-packs per day. When using 1 multi-pack per day the tablets should be taken 1 or 2 at a time throughout the course of the day. The soft gel capsule should be taken at least 1 hour after the tablets with food.

Individuals not experiencing flatulence may take 2 multi-packs a day for 5-7 days then increase to 3 multi-packs a day throughout and after treatment unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

- What should I expect?

Increased energy and relief from fatigue can begin in as little as 3 days. However, most people begin to experience significant differences over the course of 10-28 days. The benefits are cumulative and progressive and depend on regular use. Propax with NT Factor® is not intended to be, nor replace, accepted standard treatment for any disease sit. Propax with NT Factor® is not a treatment for any disease. Its sole benefits are to improve the quality of life. TOP

How do I take PROPAX?

PROPAX is available in a canister of 30, 60 or 90 multi-packs. Each conveniently wrapped multi-pack contains four tablets and one gel capsule. The recommended daily dosage is one multi-pack (4 tablets, 1 gel capsule) 3 times daily. The tablets should be taken with or before a meal and the soft-gel capsule should be taken one-hour following the tablets in order to avoid interfering with the absorption of vitamins/minerals contained in the tablets. It is not imperative that a specific period of time separate the tablets and the soft gel capsule just so long as it at least 30 minutes. If an individual forgets to take the soft gel capsule before the next scheduled dose they may take both soft gel capsules together after taking the scheduled dose of tablets. Best result are observed when the individual regularly takes the tablets. For patients who commonly experience gastrointestinal upset, the physician will titrate the doses, meaning that recommended dosages will be as follows; 1 multi-pack per day for 5 days, then 2 multi-packs per day for 5 days, followed by 3 multi-packs per day from then on.

- Suggested Daily Dosage:

Pre-Chemotherapy Instructions:
Take 1 multi-pack 3 times daily as instructed on bottle. Individual packets are taken with each meal, although the supplements are gentle enough to be taken between meals. Four tablets should be taken one hour before taking the soft gel capsule. The reason for this separation is that the essential fatty acids provided in the soft gel capsule have the potential to dilute the absorption of the phosphoglycolipids. Best results are achieved when PROPAX supplementation is started up to 1 week prior to initial chemotherapy treatment.

Patients Currently Receiving Chemotherapy:
Take 1 multi-pack per day for 5 days, then 2 multi-packs per day for 5 days, followed by 3 multi-packs per day from then on.

Maintenance dosing for patients finished with primary treatment:
Take 1 Multi-pack per day for 5 days, then 2 multi-packs per day for 5 days, followed by 3 multi-packs per day as tolerated.

NT Factor contains phosphoglycolipids from soy. These are the most pure lipids(fats) available and are members of the omega-3 category of fatty acids. For a more detailed explanation please click on this link; NT Factor® Phosphoglycolipids - High Energy Potential

Propax with NT Factor has been used in several clinical trial to reduce severe and moderate fatigue in adults. One study showed that patients who were severely fatigued could reduce their fatigue by 40% in 8 weeks. To view the study please click here. To view additional peer-reviewed publications please click here.