Taking Supplements During Chemotherapy

Many patients of mine ask me if it's safe to use supplements during chemotherapy. My usual answer is "we do not know, so it's probably best if you do not take anything".

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology showed that the use of supplements had been associated with worse outcomes in breast cancer patients.

In this study, antioxidant supplements like Vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 and others have been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence as well as a slight increase in the rates of death (although this was not significant). 

The risk of recurrence was 41% higher in patients who were taking antioxidants during chemotherapy. Vitamin B12 use during chemotherapy was associated with significantly worse survival from breast cancer. Use of iron supplementation was associated with a significantly higher risk of breast cancer recurrence.

The only issue with this study was the small number of women taking supplements.

Since then, interestingly enough, there have been no studies at all (and there have been many others), that have shown the benefit of taking supplements in the treatment of breast cancer or any other cancers. 

A comprehensive study from John Hopkins University involving half a million people did not find that multivitamins were beneficial in reducing risk for heart disease or cancer.

All of us want a quick or easy fix for the prevention of chronic diseases, including cancer, but this, unfortunately, does not exist. Supplements are not it, apart from the use of folic acid before and during pregnancy.

So far, the only beneficial recommendations are a healthy diet and weight as well as regular exercise.

So my recommendation is that you should not use supplements, especially during chemotherapy. Taking supplements is not beneficial for your health (with few exceptions) and it's bad for your wallet. It's better for you to eat a good amount of fruit and veggies regularly.