Synopsis

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

Vitamin E has been investigated for its potential role in reducing certain side effects of chemotherapy, particularly chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN is a common and often debilitating side effect of several chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin and paclitaxel. As an antioxidant, Vitamin E was hypothesized to protect nerve cells from oxidative stress caused by chemotherapy drugs.

Several small randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have explored Vitamin E supplementation (usually α-tocopherol, typically at doses ranging from 300-600 mg/day) for this purpose. Some studies have reported modest benefits in reducing the incidence and severity of CIPN, while others have found no significant effect. For example, a 2014 meta-analysis suggested that Vitamin E may have a protective effect against CIPN, but the evidence was limited by small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses. More recent larger studies have not consistently replicated these initial positive findings.

There is insufficient robust evidence to support the widespread use of Vitamin E for reducing chemotherapy side effects, and some oncologists are concerned about potential interactions with chemotherapy’s antitumor effects, given Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties. Overall, while the use of Vitamin E is not purely traditional and has been scientifically investigated, the quality and consistency of the evidence is low, so its use is not widely endorsed in clinical guidelines.

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