Garlic (Allium sativum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various health conditions, including as an adjunct in cancer treatment. Scientific research has explored garlic’s potential to reduce the side effects of cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation. Several preclinical studies and some clinical trials suggest that garlic and its active components (notably allicin and other organosulfur compounds) may provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects.

Specifically, some small trials and observational studies have examined garlic supplementation’s impact on reducing chemotherapy-induced toxicity, such as nausea, fatigue, and immunosuppression. For example, garlic extract has been shown to improve white blood cell counts and reduce oxidative stress in animal models and limited human studies. There is also some evidence that garlic may help protect healthy cells from damage during cancer treatments.

However, the overall quality of evidence is moderate to low due to small sample sizes, methodological limitations, and lack of large-scale, placebo-controlled trials. Most clinical guidelines do not yet recommend garlic as a standard adjunct to reduce side effects of cancer therapy, but it is not uncommon for patients to use it as a complementary approach. Caution is advised, as garlic can interact with certain medications and may increase bleeding risk.

In summary, while preliminary scientific evidence suggests a possible benefit of garlic in supporting cancer treatment side effects, more robust clinical research is required to establish efficacy and safety.