Multivitamins, fish oil, and vitamin D are beneficial when taken during chemotherapy treatment. However, some vitamins can make chemotherapy less effective.
During chemotherapy treatment, it may be difficult to get all the nutrients you need from your diet. Taking vitamins and other supplements may seem like a good way to solve this problem and promote overall health, but it’s not always the best idea.
Some vitamins can also interact negatively with chemotherapy drugs and make chemotherapy less effective. Talking to your oncologist can help determine which vitamins are safest for you.
Click here to learn more about chemotherapy side effects.
It’s always best to ask your oncologist about the benefits of taking vitamins during chemotherapy treatment. In general, caution is recommended when using vitamins during chemotherapy. This is because vitamins and other supplements can counteract the effects of chemotherapy drugs.
This happens because certain vitamins provide more antioxidants.
Antioxidants typically help rid the body of free radicals produced by metabolism and substances such as tobacco. However, if you are receiving chemotherapy, antioxidants may protect cancer cells and prevent the chemotherapy from destroying them.
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But that doesn’t mean it’s never a good idea to take vitamins during chemotherapy. For example, some vitamins and other supplements can help address nutritional deficiencies that may occur during chemotherapy treatment. Also, some vitamins, such as vitamin D, may be safe to take during treatment.
The best vitamins to take during chemotherapy depend on your cancer type, symptoms, and your oncologist’s recommendations. Which supplement is best for you depends on your individual needs. However, there are some supplements that are commonly taken during chemotherapy.
The best supplements to take during chemotherapy are:
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is associated with improved survival for patients with lung, colon, and breast cancer. It can also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis associated with some types of cancer and cancer treatment.
- Fish oil: Fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids. This is especially important for people experiencing nutritional deficiencies during chemotherapy. Omega-3 fatty acids have a variety of health benefits.
- Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is not typically considered an antioxidant. Some people notice that their energy levels improve during chemotherapy treatment. However, some studies have linked the use of vitamin B12 during chemotherapy to worse treatment outcomes.
- multivitamin: A daily multivitamin is an excellent source of nutrition for people who are experiencing changes in appetite or diet due to chemotherapy.
There are multiple ways you can support your immune system during chemotherapy treatment. Taking these steps can reduce the risk of infection during chemotherapy. Here are some tips to help your immune system during chemotherapy.
- Get your annual flu shot: The influenza vaccine helps protect you from infection. Talk to your doctor about the best time to get your flu shot.
- Get other recommended seasonal vaccinations: Not all vaccines are safe for people receiving chemotherapy, but some are a good idea. It is best to ask your oncologist which vaccines they recommend.
- Practice good hand hygiene: It’s always important to wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, especially if you’ve been outdoors or touched surfaces that may be contaminated.
- Avoid contact with infected patients: Infectious diseases can spread from person to person, so it’s best to limit contact with people who are infected. If someone you live with is sick, make sure to disinfect surfaces and wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid contact with animal waste: Animal waste can contain infectious bacteria. We recommend that you avoid touching it or wear gloves if necessary.
- Eat a nutritious diet: A healthy diet helps boost your immune system. If chemotherapy makes eating difficult, talk to your doctor about options such as meal replacement shakes or IV nutrition.
- Get enough sleep: Sleep is important for your entire body, including your immune system. Prioritizing sleep can help your immune system during chemotherapy treatment.
- Ask your doctor about preventive medications: For people receiving chemotherapy, preventive drugs may be an option. However, these drugs can cause serious side effects, and doctors usually recommend them only to people at high risk of infection.
Vitamins are not always recommended during chemotherapy treatment.
Some vitamins are antioxidants and can make chemotherapy less effective. However, other supplements such as multivitamins, fish oil, and vitamin D may be beneficial for people undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Before taking vitamins or other supplements, it’s best to talk to your oncologist about the safest options for you.
