Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein, are natural pigments found in plants with well-known antioxidant properties. There is some scientific interest in their potential to mitigate chemotherapy-induced side effects, primarily due to their ability to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. Preclinical studies and a limited number of clinical trials have investigated carotenoids for protecting healthy cells during chemotherapy, potentially reducing side effects such as mucositis, cardiotoxicity, or general oxidative damage. However, the clinical evidence remains inconclusive and sometimes contradictory. Some studies suggest that carotenoids may help reduce the severity of certain side effects, while others raise concerns about interference with the efficacy of chemotherapy, especially since antioxidants could potentially protect cancer cells from treatment-induced oxidative damage.

Current clinical guidelines generally do not recommend routine carotenoid supplementation during chemotherapy due to insufficient robust evidence and the potential for negative interactions. While carotenoids have been used in traditional health practices for general health and well-being, their specific use for chemotherapy side effect reduction is based on emerging but limited scientific research rather than established tradition or strong clinical validation. Therefore, more large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify both the safety and efficacy of carotenoid supplementation in this context.

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