Cancer patients taking ginger supplements get relief from chemo-induced nausea

Ginger has a long history as an herbal remedy for upset stomach, motion sickness and loss of appetite. Now, a new study has shown that ginger appears to reduce one of the most common and debilitating side effects of chemotherapy: nausea, which often triggers a cascade of other side effects such as poor appetite, vomiting, dehydration, inadequate nutrient intake and severe weight loss.

In the largest study of its kind, 644 cancer patients were given either a ginger supplement or a placebo twice daily for three days prior to receiving chemotherapy and three days after. Amounts varied, from 0.5, 1 or 1.5 grams, with each dose divided into two. Those patients who took the ginger, regardless of the amount, reported feeling less nauseous than those taking the placebo. Interestingly, those taking the lowest doses reported greater relief than those taking the higher dose. we can reduce nausea on day one, then patients tend to have reduced nausea throughout treatment," says lead study author Julie L. Ryan, of the University of Rochester Medical Center"We were suprised to find that the lowest doses were the most effective. I am guessing that at one gram the gut reaches maximum absorption," says lead study author Julie Ryan of the University of Rochester Medical Center. "If we can reduce nausea on day one, then patients tend to have reduced nausea throughout treatment," she adds. The amount of purified ginger the participants received was the equivalent of one-quarter to one-half teaspoon. All participants were also given standard anti-nausea medication on the first day of chemotherapy.

Just how much relief did the ginger-taking patients get? According to Ryan, the reduction in nausea was substantial. Specifically, those who took the placebo reported about a four or five on a seven-point nausea scale, indicating that they were extremely nauseated. Conversely, those taking the ginger reported a one or two on the scale, reflecting little or no nausea.  "It's an interesting and rigorous study in the field of complementary medicine, and an important step forward in improving quality of care for the 70 percent of patients who undergo chemotherapy and experience nausea and vomiting," says Dr. Douglas Blayney, president-elect of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Although prior research suggested that ginger supplements could not reduce nausea during chemotherapy, Ryan emphasizes that "timing is everything." No prior study had been conducted in which the supplements were given before patients underwent chemotherapy treatment. As she notes, giving the supplement three days before treatment began enabled the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger to get a head start on reducing queasiness. Ginger can interfere with blood clotting and cause excessive bleeding, so Ryan cautions that patients should consult with their doctors before taking the supplement.

News Release: Ginger may help chemo patients with nausea    www.cnn.com May 15, 2009