The Dog Cancer Survival Guide (53 page)

“I am still using Apocaps and have just picked up the K-9 immunity. I’m not sure if it is the Apocaps, or the diet ... but Charlie has shown an increase in energy over the past two weeks. It’s almost as if he doesn’t have cancer at all.”

– Audry Arnall, Kelowna, British Columbia

After you read through its actions in the list below, you’ll understand why apigenin is the subject of so much study in cancer research. There are several impressive studies, but the one that jumps out for me was published in the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). In this study, apigenin, fed to mice by mouth, shrank prostate tumors to one-third or one-half of their original sizes. Here is what apigenin can do:

• Apigenin helps turn on apoptosis genes in cancer cells.
  
• Apigenin increases cell cycle arrest in many different kinds of cancer cells. Although the mechanism or mechanisms are not all understood yet, it’s clear that it may stop cancer cells from multiplying by literally stopping their replication process.
  
• Apigenin slows angiogenesis (the making of new blood cells), making it harder for cancer cells to feed themselves or metastasize.
  
• Apigenin helps block COX-2, an enzyme cancer cells use to “self-stimulate” replication and inflammation.
  
• Apigenin helps block gap junctions, impeding cell-to-cell communication. When cancer cells can’t talk to other cancer cells, they can’t coordinate many different activities.
  

Like luteolin and curcumin, in vitro studies have shown apigenin decreases inflammation and sensitizes cancer cells to the effects of chemotherapy (the specific drugs studied were cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil and gemcitabine) and radiation therapy. Some oncologists are not sure about the use of apigenin as a radiation and chemotherapy sensitizer. The controversy is complex and deals with several different molecular compounds that can be extracted from apigenin. For our purposes in this book, I will simply say that I have taken these factors into account, and am confident that the way that apigenin is extracted and compounded for use in Apocaps preserves its chemo-and radiosensitizing properties. If your vet or your oncologist has any concerns about this, please direct them to
www.Apocaps.com
, where I have presented my thoughts and the relative issues in some detail.

Although apigenin, curcumin and luteolin work well together and are the most promising apoptogens I’ve found, they’re not the only ingredients in the patent-pending Apocaps formulation. Some ingredients are part of the Trojan Horse formula, used to boost bioavailability, while others stimulate the immune system. Some have evidence of being chemotherapy sensitizers or radiation therapy sensitizers. Others provide support for the internal organs, offer nutritional support, or have evidence for reducing side effects from radiation and common chemotherapy drugs.

Apocaps took years to research, develop and refine, and I’m really proud that it has safely helped so many dogs. It’s my number one supplement recommendation for any dog with any type of cancer, including dogs undergoing conventional treatments. If you or your vet or oncologist need or want more information, including the product label and frequently asked questions, go to
www.Apocaps.com
. You can also find Apocaps on
www.Amazon.com
and at many veterinary clinics, as well as at
www.DogCancerShop.com
. If your vet or oncologist has any questions about its use in your dog’s specific case, they can contact Functional Nutriments and get the information they need (see
Appendix C
).

HOW TO GIVE APOCAPS TO YOUR DOG

Bioavailability is highest when Apocaps are given on an empty stomach, so I recommend giving Apocaps between meals. Waiting at least one hour before or after a meal is sufficient; ideally, administration will occur four hours before or after a meal. There is also some justification for giving Apocaps late in the morning (around 11am) and/or late at night (around 11pm). It is not mandatory to give Apocaps at this time, but if you can, it might be helpful.

Taking a pill (any pill) on a completely empty stomach can cause tummy upset in humans and in dogs, so I recommend giving Apocaps with a small amount of food (not much, just one or two tablespoons). If your dog gets an upset stomach, even with food, you can give Apocaps with a full meal. The bioavailability will go down, but it’s better to give some Apocaps than none.

The exact dosing instructions will always be on the label, and here is a general schedule for giving Apocaps to your dog:

5-10 lbs.:
one capsule in the morning and one in the evening

10.1-20 lbs.:
two capsules in the morning and two in the evening

20.1-40 lbs.:
three capsules in the morning and two in the evening

40.1-60 lbs.:
three capsules in the morning and three in the evening

60.1 lbs. & over:
three capsules in the morning, three in the afternoon, and three in the evening

As with any change in your dog’s care, your vet or oncologist should supervise the use of Apocaps, including the management of side effects, if there are any.

Apocaps rarely cause stomach upset (nausea, vomiting or diarrhea). If this happens to your dog, stop giving Apocaps until these symptoms clear up, use the strategies in
Chapter 11
to relieve the symptoms and consult your veterinarian or oncologist. Once your dog is feeling better, your vet or oncologist may suggest trying Apocaps with a full meal, to prevent stomach upset.

“We’ve used Apocaps, in rotation with other anti-cancer supplements, since Apocaps first became available [March 2010] after Sienna’s cancer diagnosis. Sienna’s cancer hasn’t returned to date. We believe the combination of changes we made to her diet, as well as cancer-fighting supplements we’ve introduced along with positive life changes have all come together in bringing her back to health. We can’t pinpoint exactly which supplements are helping her most, but we do believe Apocaps has something to do with her continued health!”

– Tammy McCarley, Sacramento, California

Most veterinary medications are safe to use with Apocaps, but there is a possible exception in the case of anti-inflammatory medications. Doubling up anti-inflammatories can cause stomach upset; because Apocaps has an anti-inflammatory effect, adjustments need to be made if your dog is on anti-inflammatory medication. Common examples of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include aspirin, piroxicam, Rimadyl, Metacam or the generic meloxicam, Deramaxx, Previcox and Etogesic. If a dog in my practice is on an anti-inflammatory, I drop the dose of either the NSAID or the Apocaps down to one quarter or one half of the full strength dose. The choice of which and how much to reduce depends upon the specifics of the case, so rely on your veterinarian or oncologist for advice. I also advise giving Apocaps with a full meal if anti-inflammatories are used simultaneously.