A study of 12 cancer patients with advance tumors showed that L-carnitine (LC), important for energy production in cells, supplementation significantly improved fatigue in these patients. Participants received an oral daily dose of LC at 6 g/d for 4 weeks. After LC administration, lean body mass and appetite also increased significantly. Additionally, quality of life improved. (3)
A hormone used in conjunction with chemotherapy:
A hormone used in conjunction with chemotherapy may improve remission rates. In a review of 8 randomized (n=761), controlled clinical trials evaluating the benefits of melatonin as an adjuvant (treatment that is given in addition to the primary (initial) treatment.) therapy for cancer patients with solid tumors undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, researchers found that concurrent use of 20 mg of melatonin once daily compared to standard treatment alone, improved the rate of complete or partial remission by nearly 50% (16.5% for standard care alone vs 32.6% for standard care plus melatonin), increased the one-year survival rate (28.4% vs 52.2%) and decreased the risk of the devastating side effects of conventional therapy such as low platelet count, neuropathy, and fatigue by 87%, 81%, and 63% respectively. (4)
