Supplements During Chemo

Using supplements or complementary treatments during chemotherapy to relieve side effects is a controversial issue. It is important to talk to your doctor and know the benefits and risks associated with different treatment methods.

Claims

• Complementary treatments such as Chinese and oriental herbals, Gingko and Ginseng make claims promising cancer patients relief from the side effects of chemotherapy and improved quality of life.

Risks

• The American Cancer Society cautions that chemotherapy patients are at high risk for drug interactions from taking dietary supplements, and recommends that chemo patients avoid the use of dietary supplements altogether.

Federal Guidelines

• There are no strict FDA guidelines for the production of dietary and herbal supplements. Scientific studies for effectiveness and confirmation procedures are not required.

FDA Recommendations

• The FDA recommends choosing supplements with USP on the label and selecting a nationally known food or drug manufacturer who offers stricter quality control. They caution that "natural" on a product label does not guarantee safety, and suggest you contact the manufacturer and ask about their practices and quality control conditions.

Recommended Complementary Approaches

• The American Cancer Society has a list of recommended complementary approaches for relieving the side effects of chemotherapy. A few of these approaches include: acupuncture, aromatherapy, art therapy, biofeedback, massage therapy and meditation.