Relationship: Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) and zinc

Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)

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Synopsis

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

Zinc supplementation during cancer treatment is supported by some scientific evidence, particularly for its role in reducing certain side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Zinc is an essential trace element involved in immune function, wound healing, and cellular repair, which are all relevant in the context of cancer therapy. Multiple studies have investigated zinc’s role in managing oral mucositis, a common and painful side effect of chemotherapy and radiation, especially in head and neck cancers. Some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that zinc supplementation may reduce the incidence and severity of oral mucositis. For example, a 2021 meta-analysis published in Supportive Care in Cancer found that zinc supplementation reduced the severity and duration of oral mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy. However, the evidence is not universally strong or consistent across all side effects or cancer types. There are concerns about excessive zinc intake potentially interfering with other trace elements (such as copper) or immune responses. Additionally, zinc supplementation does not treat the cancer itself but may help mitigate specific treatment-related side effects. Major clinical guidelines do not recommend routine zinc supplementation for all cancer patients but suggest it may be considered for specific indications like mucositis, particularly when dietary intake is insufficient. In summary, while not universally endorsed, zinc is used with some scientific backing for reducing certain side effects of cancer treatment, primarily oral mucositis, but its use should be individualized and monitored.

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Other ingredients used for Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)

acetyl l-carnitine
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
aloe vera
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
basil
beet
berberine
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta-Glucan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
sesame
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butyrate triglyceride
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
cat's claw
catalase
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chlorophyll
chokeberry
citrus oil
citrus pectin
coating
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
d-glucarate
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
garlic bulb
genistein
ginger
ginseng
green tea
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
iron
knotweed
jujube
kale
l-carnitine
l-cysteine
l-glutamine
l-glutathione
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
lycopene
magnesium
maitake mushroom
mangosteen
marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
milk
milk thistle
mixed carotenoids
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
oyster mushroom
pectin
perilla
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
phytosterols
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protease
protein
pumpkin
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rutin
scrophularia root
selenium
shiitake mushroom
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tributyrin
triphala
turkey tail mushroom
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
water
wheat grass
whey protein
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
suma
jiaogulan
typhonium
atractylodes
papaya
neem tree
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
rubia cordifolia
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
buckthorn
pau d'arco
lemongrass
myrrh
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
siler root
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
morinda
trichosanthes
royal jelly
polyphenols
purslane
coix
polyporus
aster root
noni
biota seed
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
4-Hydroxyandrostenedione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Agarikon Mushroom
Alpha Glucans
Angelica
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Anamu
Artesunate
AHCC
Andrographolide
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Andrographis
Ampelopsin
Acemannan
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Anti-aromatase
Artepillin C
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Betulinic acid
Brassica
Boswellic Acid
Beef liver
Baccosides
Baicalein
Beta-lapachone
Bee hive
Bael
Basidiomycota
berry
Boswellia
Butein
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
BCAA
Baicalin
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Caryophyllene
Calendula
Chinese Mountain Ant
Condurango
Chlorophyllin
Coriolus mushroom
Capillary Artemisia
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cancerina
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Curcuma
Carnosol
C-Phycocyanin
Chirata
Crinum latifolium
Cannabidiol
Clostridium butyricum
Corilagin
Crocetin
Cytokines
Costus
Celosia
Carnosic acid
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
DNA
Decursin
Daidzein
Diosgenin
Didymin
Date
Dithiolthiones
Diosmetin
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Eclipta
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Enokitake
Folic Acid
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Flammulina velutipes
fibroblast growth factor
Garlic
Isoflavones
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Periwinkle
Soy Protein
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by zinc

Abrasions
Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Anemia
Anorexia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Birth Defects (prevention)
Bites and Stings
Blisters
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Burns and Scalds
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Celiac Disease
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestive Heart Failure
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dehydration
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Eczema
Endometriosis
Energy (lack of)
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyes (spots before)
Eyesight (poor)
Failure to Thrive
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Foot Odor
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Halitosis
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypothyroid
Impetigo
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Insomnia
Irritability
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jock Itch
Labor and Delivery
Lead Poisoning
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Night Blindness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Premature Ejaculation
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Protein Digestion (poor)
Psoriasis
Puberty (hormone balancer)
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Sex Drive (low)
Shingles
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sinus Infection
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Smell (loss of)
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Stress
Stye
Sugar Cravings
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Syphilis
Teeth (loose)
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Vitiligo
Warts
Wasting
Worry
Wounds and Sores

Products containing zinc

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)

Other health conditions supported by zinc

Products containing zinc

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: ZincFor the health condition: Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)

Other health conditions supported by zinc

Products containing zinc

Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)