Evidence supporting the use of: Selenium
For the health condition: Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Selenium has been investigated as an adjunct therapy to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, mainly due to its antioxidant properties and role in cellular protection. Several clinical trials and observational studies suggest that selenium supplementation may help alleviate some common adverse effects of chemotherapy, such as mucositis, myelosuppression, and hepatotoxicity. For example, some randomized controlled trials have found that selenium supplementation can reduce the incidence and severity of chemotherapy-induced toxicity in patients with cancers such as head and neck cancer, gynecological cancers, and hematological malignancies. The proposed mechanism involves selenium's ability to boost glutathione peroxidase activity and protect normal tissues from oxidative damage triggered by chemotherapeutic agents, without reducing the efficacy of the treatment itself.

However, the evidence is not uniformly strong across all studies. Some trials have failed to demonstrate significant benefits, and there are concerns regarding the optimal dosage and potential toxicity of excess selenium. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews typically conclude that selenium may offer modest benefit in reducing certain side effects, but more high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are needed to firmly establish its efficacy and safety profile in this context. At present, selenium is sometimes recommended in supportive care, but it is not universally adopted as standard practice. Overall, the use of selenium for this indication is supported by a moderate level of scientific evidence.

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anthocyanins
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l-alanyl-l-glutamine
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l-glycine
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licorice root
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melatonin
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pectin
phytocannabinoids
pomegranate
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resveratrol
saccharomyces boulardii
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spirulina
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