Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation, Weight Gain, and Poor Appetite in Patients With Cancer: Many Questions and Fewer Answers

JCO Oncol Pract. 2024 Mar;20(3):323-327. doi: 10.1200/OP.23.00480. Epub 2023 Dec 21.

Abstract

Patients with cancer or with a history of cancer often seek nutritional advice. In turn, cancer health care providers are often asked questions related to nutrition and cancer. Should I take high-dose vitamins or other high-dose supplements? Should I take a regular-dose vitamin or other regular-dose nutritional supplements? Will I experience weight loss during postoperative chemotherapy? What should be my weight goals during and after adjuvant therapy? In the setting of advanced cancer, what should I do to keep my appetite and weight up? This review attempts to provide data-driven answers to some of these commonly posed questions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Appetite
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Minerals / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms* / complications
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Vitamins* / pharmacology
  • Vitamins* / therapeutic use
  • Weight Gain

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Minerals