Appointments

Consultation with a member of the Nutrition Services team is offered to all U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center patients. Arrange an appointment by calling 877-907-0859.

Managing Side Effects and/or Late Effects of Treatment
Cancer Nutrition Services: Nutrition and Cancer Prevention

Help or Harm?
Nutritional supplements chart

Nutritional Supplement	Claims	Side Effects	When Not To Take It	Is It Safe Otherwise?
Essiac	Antioxidant, Immune enhancing, Stimulate secretion of GI motility.	Increased stool, flu-like symptoms, slight headaches, swollen glands.	It should be avoided with certain chemotherapy agents and with radiation therapy. Data has shown stimulation of breast cancer cells. There are multiple potential interactions with chemotherapy due to its effects on the liver metabolism of some of these agents.	Not recommended due to lack of evidence to support claims.
Hydrogen peroxide therapy (oxygen therapy)	Given orally, intravenously or by colonic irrigation.	Lethal gas embolism, tear in the bowel.	Alone or in conjunction with any other therapy.	Not recommended due to potential harm.
Curcumin (Turmeric)	Anti-inflammatory, stimulated bile production.	Nausea or diarrhea but generally well tolerated.	It should be avoided during chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Curcumin has some estrogenic properties and should be avoided in breast cancer patients. Curcumin has shown to decrease platelet function, so it should be avoided by those on blood-thinning therapies.	Likely safe.
Juice Plus	Antioxidant and immune enhancing properties.	GI distress and hive-like rash.	Due to antioxidant properties, it should be avoided with certain chemotherapy agents and with radiation therapy.	Likely safe.
Ashwagandha	Anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing effects.	GI upset, diarrhea, vomiting, overactive thyroid.	Take with caution with barbiturates. Due to potential antioxidant properties, it should be avoided with certain chemotherapy agents and with radiation therapy.	Likely safe short-term.
Noni	Antioxidant effects.	Liver toxicity, high blood potassium levels.	Due to antioxidant properties, it should be avoided with certain chemotherapy agents and with radiation therapy.	Likely unsafe.
Acai berry	Antioxidant properties.	None reported.	Due to antioxidant properties, it should be avoided with certain chemotherapy agents and with radiation therapy.	Likely safe.
Fish oil/ Omega-3 Fatty Acids	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antithrombotic effects.	Halitosis, heartburn, dyspepsia, nausea, loose stools, and rash.	Do not take during antiplatelet, antihypertensive and anticoagulant therapies. Due to antioxidant properties, it should be avoided with certain chemotherapy agents and during radiation therapy.	3 gm. per day or less is likely safe.