- Chemotherapy destroys rapidly dividing cells - both cancerous and healthy (blood, gut, mouth), which is what causes side effects.
- A course runs in 3-week cycles, typically 3-6 months total; side effects are usually temporary.
- Recovery requires actively restoring the immune and digestive systems - the body heals itself but needs help.
- Concentrated mushroom-polysaccharide formulas with astaxanthin are studied for protecting cell DNA and supporting recovery.
Chemotherapy — what is it?
Chemotherapy is a treatment using drugs that destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells, most often given intravenously. Because cancer cells grow and divide faster than healthy cells, many anticancer drugs are designed to destroy precisely these fast-growing cells. But there are also healthy cells that multiply rapidly, so chemotherapy affects them too — and this is most often what causes side effects. The fast-growing healthy cells affected by chemotherapy are the blood cells formed in the bone marrow, and the cells of the gastrointestinal tract and mouth.
How long does a course of chemotherapy last?
The duration varies — it all depends on the type and stage of cancer, the patient's condition, the drugs prescribed, and their dose. Before treatment begins, your doctor will discuss the planned course with you; be sure to ask if anything is unclear. Three weeks is called a treatment cycle; several cycles make up a chemotherapy course, which can last from 3 to 6 months.
Possible side effects of chemotherapy
Fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, hair loss, anaemia, infections, blood-clotting problems, mouth/gum/throat problems, diarrhoea and constipation, nerve and muscle problems, skin and nail problems, kidney and bladder problems, flu-like symptoms, fluid retention, and problems with sexual organs and sexuality.
How long do chemotherapy side effects last?
Cells should gradually recover after chemotherapy, so the unwanted effects should gradually diminish. However, chemotherapy can also cause long-term changes affecting your quality of life, so it is essential to take care of the body's recovery — because the rehabilitation system tends to creak. Some people avoid serious long-term consequences of chemotherapy, but that is no accident: you yourself must remain responsible for your health. Modern medicine treats symptoms and consequences (and does so well) but does not engage in prevention.
Restoring the body after chemotherapy
To be effective, cancer drugs and treatment are aggressive, so after chemotherapy the immune, digestive and other systems are left in a difficult state. The gap in prevention and rehabilitation after chemotherapy is one you will have to fill yourself. You will need to restore the immune system and saturate the body with vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants, immune-stimulating and other substances, so the body has the resources to cope and heal. The human body tends to heal and repair itself — but you have to help it.
Nutrition with cancer
It is best to restore vitamins, minerals and bacterial balance through proper nutrition — then you will not need endless supplements. Getting needed substances naturally from food means the body absorbs them maximally. It is recommended to eat sauerkraut daily — it may sound funny, but sauerkraut contains a very broad spectrum of minerals and vitamins, and during fermentation beneficial bacteria develop that support gut health.
How to maximise the body's recovery
Perhaps the best example is Japan. The health system tries to combine the achievements of modern medicine with healing practices refined over centuries — including in cancer. Extracts derived from shiitake mushrooms are prescribed in oncology, given before, during and after chemotherapy. As it should be, because many studies have been conducted to clarify the effects of the active compounds from shiitake. The "pioneer" in this field was Dr. Kisaku Mori, who founded the Institute of Mushroom Research in Tokyo in 1936.
How and how much to take supplements after chemotherapy?
The effect of Lentinan depends directly on the amount — the higher the dose, the greater the effectiveness. Side effects may occur if you are allergic to mushrooms (very rare). The shortest recommended course is 3 months (for prevention and stage 1–2 cases). For more serious conditions, longer. Breaks are not recommended — consistent, uninterrupted use ensures the best results. The longer the extracts are taken, the better the results. To achieve results, it is very important to use the highest-quality, strong and reliable products.
Chemotherapy leaves the immune and digestive systems depleted. Concentrated mushroom polysaccharides with astaxanthin are studied for supporting recovery and protecting cell DNA.
Lentinan AXT by Zenius Labs™ →Chemotherapy is treatment with drugs that destroy rapidly dividing cells in the body. It affects not only cancer cells but also some healthy ones, which is why it causes side effects. The goal is to stop or slow tumour growth.
Yes, and it is very important. Chemotherapy strongly suppresses the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable. Concentrated mushroom-polysaccharide extracts are studied for their role in activating NK cells and macrophages. It is important to choose a concentrated multi-extract formula such as Lentinan AXT by Zenius Labs™.
A course usually lasts from 3 to 6 months, but can be longer. Treatment happens in cycles — a period of drug administration is followed by a rest period during which the body recovers.
The most common are fatigue, nausea, hair loss, loss of appetite, mouth ulcers, and increased susceptibility to infection. Side effects are usually temporary and pass once the course of treatment is complete.
The most important factors are proper nutrition (quality animal fats — eggs, butter, wild fish — that support hormone production and prevent weight loss during chemotherapy), adequate rest, physical activity, and immune support. Concentrated mushroom-polysaccharide formulas together with astaxanthin may help protect cell DNA and speed recovery.
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