Lung Cancer - Supplements

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Coriolus versicolor	3 grams daily	Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK), both cloud mushroom extracts, have been shown to be beneficial in extending the life of patients with lung cancers.
Coriolus versicolor 3 grams daily Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK), both cloud mushroom (Coriolus versicolor) extracts, have been studied in preliminary and double-blind trials and shown to be beneficial in extending the life of patients with several cancers²⁴ ^{, 25} ^{, 26} ^{, 27} ^{, 28} including lung cancer.²⁹ PSK and PSP are not available in the United States. Whether the hot water-extracted Coriolus products available in the United States are equivalent to the products used extensively in Japanese cancer research remains unknown. The amount used in most research trials is 3 grams per day.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Selenium	200 mcg daily	Selenium, reported to have diverse anticancer actions, has been shown in one study to reduce lung cancer deaths and lung cancer incidence.
Selenium 200 mcg daily Selenium has been reported to have diverse anticancer actions.³⁰^{, 31} Selenium inhibits cancer growth in animals.³² Low soil levels of selenium (probably associated with low dietary intake), have been associated with increased cancer incidence in humans.³³ Blood levels of selenium have been reported to be low in patients with many cancers,³⁴^{, 35}^{, 36}^{, 37}^{, 38}^{, 39}^{, 40}^{, 41} including lung cancer.⁴² In preliminary reports, people with the lowest blood levels of selenium had between 3.8 and 5.8 times the risk of dying from cancer compared with those who had the highest selenium levels.⁴³^{, 44} The strongest evidence supporting the anticancer effects of selenium supplementation comes from a double-blind trial of 1,312 Americans with a history of skin cancer who were treated with 200 mcg of yeast-based selenium per day or a placebo for 4.5 years and then followed for an additional two years.⁴⁵ Although no decrease in skin cancers occurred, a 50% reduction in overall cancer deaths and a 37% reduction in total cancer incidence was observed. A 46% decrease in lung cancer incidence and a 53% drop in deaths from lung cancer also occurred. These findings were all statistically significant. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin E	200 to 400 IU daily	High vitamin E levels have been associated with a reduced lung cancer risk. In one trial, nonsmokers who took vitamin E had a 45% lower lung cancer risk compared with those who did not take the vitamin.
Vitamin E 200 to 400 IU daily Relatively high blood levels⁴⁶ ^{, 47} and dietary levels⁴⁸ of vitamin E have been associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer. In a preliminary trial, nonsmokers who took vitamin E supplements had a 45% lower risk of lung cancer compared with nonsmokers who did not supplement with vitamin E.⁴⁹ While a double-blind trial reported that vitamin E supplementation had no effect on lung cancer risk,⁵⁰ the amount used—approximately 50 IU per day—may have been too low to have a significant effect. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Asian Ginseng	Refer to label instructions	Studies suggest that Asian ginseng may improve immune function and increase lifespan in people with lung cancer.
Asian Ginseng Many studies of animals with cancer suggest Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) may improve immune function and increase lifespan.⁵¹ Although little is known about the effects of Asian ginseng in people already diagnosed with cancer, preliminary Chinese trials have shown increased survival or improvement of immune function in people with lung cancer already treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery.⁵² What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Coenzyme Q10	Refer to label instructions	In an unpublished report, 4 of 11 lung cancer patients were said to be alive following ten years of daily CoQ10 supplementation.
Coenzyme Q10 In an unpublished report, 4 of 11 lung cancer patients were said to be alive following ten years of supplementation with 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 per day.⁵³ Such undocumented case reports require confirmation from published research trials. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Conjugated Linoleic Acid	Refer to label instructions	Preliminary research suggests that CLA might reduce the risk of cancers at several sites, including breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, skin, and stomach.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid Preliminary animal and test tube research suggests that conjugated linoleic acid might reduce the risk of cancers at several sites, including breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, skin, and stomach.⁵⁴ ^{, 55} ^{, 56} ^{, 57} What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Dr. Sun's Soup	Refer to label instructions	Dr. Sun’s Soup has been shown in one study to improve quality of life and survival in lung cancer patients.
Dr. Sun's Soup Dr. Sun’s Soup, develop by Alexander Sun, PhD, is prepared by heating the ingredients in water, freeze-drying them, then mixing the powder back into hot water or soup. In a preliminary trial, lung cancer patients were given 30 grams per day of Dr. Sun’s Soup.⁵⁸ Dr. Sun’s Soup improved quality of life and survival compared with people with lung cancer not given Dr. Sun’s Soup.⁵⁹ Everyone in the trial had previously been treated with conventional therapies, including chemotherapy. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of this mixture.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Folic Acid	Refer to label instructions	Together, folic acid and vitamin B12 help cells replicate normally. In one trial, smokers with precancerous lung changes who were given folic acid and vitamin B12 saw a significant reversal of their condition.
Folic Acid Folic acid and vitamin B12 work together in the body to help cells replicate normally. In a double-blind trial, smokers with precancerous changes in the lungs were given a placebo or the combination of 10,000 mcg of folic acid and 500 mcg of vitamin B12 per day for four months.⁶⁰ A significant reversal of precancerous changes occurred in those given vitamin supplements compared with those given the placebo.⁶¹ No trials have investigated whether either vitamin given alone or the combination of both vitamins would help to treat people who already have lung cancer. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Green Tea	Refer to label instructions	Numerous preliminary studies have shown an association between drinking green tea and a reduced risk of several types of cancer including lung cancer.
Green Tea Numerous preliminary studies have shown an association between drinking green tea and a reduced risk of several types of cancer⁶² ^{, 63} ^{, 64} ^{, 65} including lung cancer.⁶⁶ In contrast, preliminary studies of black tea consumption have not found that it protected against any type of cancer.⁶⁷ ^{, 68} ^{, 69} What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Hoxsey Formula	Refer to label instructions	Some of the components of the Hoxsey formula, including burdock root, berberine, licorice, stillingia, and red clover, have been found to have anticancer activity.
Hoxsey Formula Harry Hoxsey, the son of a veterinarian, claimed to have obtained this cancer formula from his father, who in turn obtained it from his father (Harry’s grandfather).⁷⁰ In all likelihood, the formula was developed by others as evidenced by the earlier appearance of an almost identical formula under other names in various medical and semi-official publications.⁷¹ The exact ingredients of the formula were changed over time. The following ingredients are listed on a bottle of the formula from 1954 and are likely to be very similar to the formula currently in use in what is frequently called the “Hoxsey Clinic” (the Bio-Medical Center in Tijuana, Mexico). Ingredients are listed in order from most to least amount present: Potassium iodide Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Red clover (Trifolium pratense) Alder Buckthorn(Rhamnus frangula) Burdock (Actrium lappa) Stillingia root (Stillingia sylvatica) Barberry root (Berberis vulgaris) Poke root (Phytolacca decandra) Cascara amarga (Picramnia antidesma) or Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshina) Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum fraxineum) Hoxsey also used externally-applied formulas, which are discussed below under cancer salves. One small preliminary trial found that 6 of 15 people with a variety of mostly advanced cancers who attended the Bio-Medical Center and took the Hoxsey formula claimed to be disease-free after a follow-up period of five years, including two lung cancer patients.⁷² Average survival was surprisingly long, even for those who did eventually succumb to their cancers.⁷³ Several of these patients appeared to have had a poor chance of survival before taking the Hoxsey formula. Larger, double-blind trials are needed to confirm or contradict these findings. Until it is confirmed in other trials, the Hoxsey formula should be considered unproven. Limited evidence suggests that some of the components of the Hoxsey formula may have anticancer activity. In animal and/or test tube research, burdock root,⁷⁴ ^{, 75} berberine (a constituent of barberry),⁷⁶ ^{, 77} a protein found in poke root,⁷⁸ ^{, 79} ^{, 80} ^{, 81} licorice,⁸² ^{, 83} stillingia,⁸⁴ and red clover,⁸⁵ have all been found to have anticancer activity. Constituents of alder buckthorn, cascara, and prickly ash bark have produced mixed results in preliminary testing investigating anticancer actions.⁸⁶ ^{, 87} ^{, 88} ^{, 89} Besides the small trial of cancer patients discussed above, no other human trials have studied the Hoxsey formula. The assertion by the American Cancer Society that the Hoxsey formula hThe original Hoxsey formula is prepared as a water extract and is available only at the Bio-Medical Center in Tijuana, Mexico.⁹⁰ Other versions of Hoxsey-like formulas are available, primarily from herbal companies that supply physicians. However, most of these are alcohol extracts (tinctures). Although these products may contain extracts from the same herbs, it is unknown whether these products have the same effects as does the original Hoxsey formula.as been “extensively tested” and “found to be . . . useless”⁹¹ is therefore false. Cancer patients who attend the Bio-Medical Center in Mexico also are told to make several dietary changes and to take several supplements.⁹² No scientific evidence supports the use of these dietary changes or supplements in the treatment of people with cancer.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Melatonin	Refer to label instructions	In patients with advanced lung cancer who were given melatonin in one study, survival time was almost twice as long as survival in those not given melatonin.
Melatonin Years ago, a preliminary study suggested that melatonin may help stabilize the condition of some people with advanced cancers.⁹³ Since then, Italian researchers have been investigating the effects of melatonin in cancer patients, often with partial success.⁹⁴ ^{, 95} ^{, 96} ^{, 97} ^{, 98} ^{, 99} ^{, 100} ^{, 101} ^{, 102} ^{, 103} ^{, 104} ^{, 105} In patients with advanced lung cancer who were given 10 mg of melatonin at night in cycles of three weeks on followed by one week off, survival time was almost twice as long as survival in those not given melatonin—a statistically significant increase.¹⁰⁶ Melatonin supplementation was not helpful to patients whose cancer had spread to the liver.¹⁰⁷ What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Multivitamin	Refer to label instructions	In a preliminary trial, lung cancer patients who reported using vitamin supplements survived almost four times as long as those who did not.
Multivitamin In a preliminary trial, lung cancer patients who reported using vitamin supplements survived almost four times as long as those who did not.¹⁰⁸ This report did not determine which specific supplements were associated with extended survival although it is probable that many patients were using multivitamins. Possibly, use of supplements may have been a marker for other dietary or lifestyle factors responsible for the outcome. Nonetheless, the advantage favoring use of supplements was highly statistically significant.¹⁰⁹

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin B12	Refer to label instructions	Together, folic acid and vitamin B12 help cells replicate normally. In one trial, smokers with precancerous lung changes who were given folic acid and vitamin B12 saw a significant reversal of their condition.
Vitamin B12 Folic acid and vitamin B12 work together in the body to help cells replicate normally. In a double-blind trial, smokers with precancerous changes in the lungs were given a placebo or the combination of 10,000 mcg of folic acid and 500 mcg of vitamin B12 per day for four months.¹¹⁰ A significant reversal of precancerous changes occurred in those given vitamin supplements compared with those given the placebo.¹¹¹ No trials have investigated whether either vitamin given alone or the combination of both vitamins would help to treat people who already have lung cancer. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

References

Last Review: 05-11-2011

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

Care Circle

It Seems That You Are Not Logged In...

Join Now

Log In
Help

Welcome to Care Circle, an exclusive tool to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Here's how it works:

Create profiles for yourself and your loved ones.
Select the topics and conditions that interest each of you.
Get customized news updates, original content, tools, and expert advice for each Care Circle member delivered directly to your personalized homepage.

The information you input is strictly private; you choose who has access to your Care Circle.

Adding Someone
Saving Content
Adding Additional Topics & Conditions
Deleting Topics & Conditions

How do I add myself or someone else to my care circle?

Click on "Add someone." Fill out the short profile. Choose an avatar. Select the topics and conditions that interest this person from the pulldown menu. You can select as many as you want, but you must choose at least one. Click on "Add Someone" again. You should start getting updates immediately.

How do I save content to my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab of the person for whom you're saving content. Put your cursor over the piece of content that you want to save; a disk icon will appear in the righthand corner. Click on the disk and the piece of content will be moved to a save folder.

How do I add additional topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Add More to Follow," select additional topics and conditions.

How do I delete topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Follows," scroll over the topic or condition you want to delete. An "X" should appear on the righthand side. Click on the "X" and the topic or condition will be deleted from the list.