The Science and Controversial Supplementations for Cancer

More than 80% of patient with cancer take at least one dietary supplement or use one or more complementary therapy. That include omega-3, fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Oncology patients are at increased risk for weight loss and lean body mass. That is eventually leads to nutrients deficiency and not getting adequate amount of foods as side effect of some therapy such as radiation, chemotherapy, and undergoing surgery. If food interventions are proven to be inadequate, dietary supplements may be required to limit other health issues implications.

Current research suggest that some compounds in dietary supplements may help manage the side effect of cancer treatment by reducing the discomfort caused as side effect of chemotherapy.

Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA provide anti-inflamotary effects. However, caution is advised when taking omega-3 supplements because it may lead to increase bleeding and cancer drug interactions.

Multivitamins and minerals supplements that provide 100% of the daily values are considered safe, but patients going under cancer treatment should be assessed by a physician and a dietitian to insure that they would not cause any adverse effects. The controversy regards the intake of the dietary supplements would raise due to the fear that they may interfere with the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Studies results remain unsettled yet. For example, Curcumin has been shown to inhibit enzymes that stimulate inflammation; a research suggest that taking dietary supplements contain turmeric extract may stabilize disease progression in patients with colorectal cancer. However, the same dietary supplement can cause blood thinning as well.