Supplements for chemo brain?
Meet the Experts
Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D. is an internist and researcher with the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is a principal investigator or co-principal investigator in several NIH-funded research projects in the Integrative Medicine Service.
Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon with a focus in breast cancer care and the CEO and medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Care Institute at DSI of Bucks County, PA.
Question from Terri: Is there any supplement that has helped with symptoms of "chemo brain"?
- Answer —Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D.: Chemo brain is a problem people just realized in recent years, so there has not been much research on supplements that can improve the cognitive function of people with chemo brain. There are some supplements that may nurture nerve cells which some people think may help chemo brain such as phosphatidyl. There are people who think gingko may also help, but most research on gingko was done in Alzheimer's patients, not patients with chemo brain. The risk of gingko is it makes blood flow better, so for some people it may raise the risk of bleeding.
On Wednesday, July 18, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Vitamins and Herbal Supplements. Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D. and moderator Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about how to safely and sensibly incorporate vitamins and supplements into your diet.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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