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

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Synopsis

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

Probiotics have been studied as supportive therapy for patients undergoing chemotherapy, primarily to reduce gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea and mucositis. Chemotherapy can disrupt the balance of intestinal microbiota and damage the gut mucosa, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and increased risk of infection. Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have investigated the efficacy of probiotics in this context. Some studies have shown that certain probiotic strains—particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium species—may reduce the incidence and severity of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea and oral mucositis, especially in pediatric and adult cancer patients receiving intensive regimens. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis in Frontiers in Oncology concluded that probiotics could significantly reduce the risk and severity of diarrhea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, though results can vary by cancer type, probiotic strain, and dose. Safety is generally good, but there is caution in immunocompromised patients due to rare reports of bacteremia or sepsis. Current clinical guidelines do not universally recommend probiotics for all chemotherapy patients, but they are considered a promising adjunct in certain contexts. Overall, the evidence base is moderate, and further large-scale, well-designed RCTs are needed to clarify which patients and probiotic formulations may benefit most.

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Other ingredients used for Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)

3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Acemannan
AHCC
Alkylglycerols
Aloe vera
Alpha Glucans
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
anthocyanins
Antrodia camphorata
astaxanthin
astragalus
Baikal Skullcap
BCAA
benzyl isothiocyanate
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
Boswellic Acid
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
caryophyllene
chamomile
chlorella
Clostridium butyricum
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coix
colostrum
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
dithiolthiones
ergothioneine
fish oil
folinic acid
fucoidan
ginger
Glutamine
Glutathione
grape
green tea
Haematococcus pluvialis
hemp
hemp oil
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
Honokiol
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Hyphomycetes
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-carnosine
L-cysteine
L-glutamine
L-glutathione
L-glycine
L-taurine
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactoferrin
lactoglobulin
Lentinan
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
lion's mane
luteolin
Marine lipid
Matcha
Melatonin
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Milk Protein
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N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Oldenlandia diffusa
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peptides
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phytocannabinoids
polysaccharides
pomegranate
probiotics
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
selenium
Selenomethionine
shiitake mushroom
Silychristin
soy isoflavones
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulforaphane
Thymidine
Thymoquinone
tributyrin
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Typhonium flagelliforme
Verbascoside
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
Whey protein
Zinc

Products containing probiotics

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.