Chemotherapy treatment is administered to patients with different forms of cancer. It is often used to eliminate or control tumors to relieve pain or to keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Because of the chemicals used in chemotherapy treatment, you can develop side effects that may affect your body nutritional status and your ability to heal and recover properly. Although the topic of vitamin effectiveness while undergoing chemotherapy is controversial, some research indicates that vitamin supplementation can provide health benefits, according to the American Cancer Society.
B Vitamins
The National Cancer Institute says that cancer and certain drugs, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can suppress your body's immune system and decrease your ability to defend itself against infections. Vitamin B deficiency can also weaken your immune system, as the vitamin works to promote immune and overall body functions. B vitamins are naturally available in nuts, beans, seafood, whole grains, meat, green leafy vegetables, eggs, milk, milk products, poultry and citrus fruits.
Vitamin C
As an antioxidant and water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C is important while undergoing chemotherapy treatment to repair body tissues and promote a healthy recovery. The American Cancer Society says that consuming vitamin C may decrease the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs. Vitamin C rich foods include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, green leafy vegetables, bell peppers, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, tomatoes and broccoli.
Vitamin E
As a potential side effect of chemotherapy, mucositis produces mouth inflammation and can affect your recovery and nutrition intake by interfering with your eating abilities. According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, mucositis is typically caused by free radical damage and that consuming vitamin E can help repair and prevent such damage. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties. The ACS also maintains that vitamin E may reduce negative treatment side effects and increase chemotherapy drugs effectiveness. It is commonly found in whole-grain breads, pastas, rice, wheat germ, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Nausea and Vomiting: Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
- ChemoCare: Nutrition During Chemotherapy
- "American Journal of Gastroenterology"; Successful and sustained treatment of chronic radiation proctitis with antioxidant vitamins E and C; M. Kennedy, et al.; April 2001
- American Cancer Society: Herbs, Vitamins and Minerals
- National Cancer Institute: Immunosuppression
