Chemotherapy products are meant to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. The side effects of chemotherapy can bog you down and hamper your quality of life more than the disease. Side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue affect you physically, emotionally and mentally. Now new drugs with fewer short term and long term side effects of chemotherapy are developed that make this grueling treatment much tolerable than ever before. Nevertheless, they still cause a variety of side effects depending on the drug, dosage and the general health of the patient.

Chemotherapy drugs damage the normal cells of hair follicles, lining of the digestive tract and bone marrow along with the cancer cells. Fortunately, there are natural products that prevent these damaging effects and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Along with some dietary and lifestyle changes, certain supplements are recommended to support the chemotherapy.

Some of these supplements and chemotherapy products are-

Coenzyme Q10: This could be taken in case you are undergoing cancer treatment using adriamychindoxorubicin chemotherapy or any drug that causes heart damage.

Green drinks: This normally includes green tea and other products containing dehydrated barley grass, wheat grass, chlorella or spirulina (algal sources) that are mixed with water and consumed. Greens drinks should not be taken by patients taking Warfarin that is a blood thinning medication as at clocks blood clotting by reacting with vitamin K. Green drinks contain vitamin K

Maitake mushroom: Grifola frondosa or Maitake mushroom strengthens the weakened immunity due to chemotherapy drugs. Maitake extracts show anti tumor properties and these are effective when taken orally.

Curcumin: This is the yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa). It reduces inflammation and has anti tumor and anti bacterial properties. It creates a set of actions that prevent cancer and are beneficial in the treatment. The anticancer effects of turmeric and curcumin work at all steps of cancer formation i.e. initiation, promotion and progression.

Proteolytic enzymes: (also called proteases), proteolytic enzymes are various enzymes that digest proteins or break them in smaller parts. These are the pancreatic proteases chymotrypsin and trypsin, bromelain (pineapple enzyme), papain (papaya enzyme), fungal proteases and Serratia peptidase or silkworm enzyme. They have been used in treating cancer since a very long time. They help in improving the quality of life of the patient.

Vitamins and Minerals: The immune system requires a constant source of varied nutrients. Hence a high-potency multiple-vitamin and mineral formula supports and strengthens the immune system with nutritional supplementation in cancer patients. Deficiencies of vitamins C, E, A, B6, B12, and folic acid weaken the immune system. Zinc and selenium are important minerals that help in the working of the immune systen. Apart from this, there are certain cosmetic and medicated products to treat other side effects of chemotherapy like hair loss, skin rash, mouth sores, etc. These are available in a wide range consisting of medicated shampoos, crèmes, lotions, conditioning gel, hand and body cream, moisturizers, etc. These products help in normal regrowth and texture of hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, etc. They improve the quality of skin and keep it moisturized.

Apart from these cosmetics, there are other products like special innerwear for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer to help them be comfortable during and after the treatment. There are also varieties of other products like special gloves, sterile gloves, powdered gloves, special gowns, disinfectants, hand sanitizers, equipment covers, special first aid kits, protective wear, etc. , which helps the patients take care of themselves after chemotherapy.

There are special chemotherapy hats, wigs, scarves and caps designed to cover the hair loss that occurs due to chemotherapy. They are made of soft fabrics that are comfortable to the scalp. They come in maddening shapes, sizes and colors according to the patient’s requirement.

Various chemotherapy products are available to treat the innumerable side effects of chemotherapy be it nutritional supplements, medications, cosmetics, etc. However, it is important to consult your doctor before using any of these products to understand what suits you the best.