Cachexia
Supplements studied for cachexia.
Overview
Cachexia research here spans four supplements with uneven evidence. L-Carnitine has three studies suggesting it may increase body mass index in cancer-related wasting at 4 g daily over 12 weeks, and may add benefit when combined with other agents in combination trials.
Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) show promise in small studies for appetite and nutritional markers in wasting linked to cancer, liver disease, or dialysis, though many lacked strong comparators. Melatonin 20 mg nightly did not improve appetite or body composition in one advanced-cancer trial. Fish Oil has six listed studies but no summary is available in this dataset. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Fish Oil | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| L-Carnitine | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Ginger | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
5 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Fish OilView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- No summary is available.
Browse 6 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaThe effect of oral omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on muscle maintenance and quality of life in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis2021
A systematic review and meta-analysis of cancer RCTs found insufficient consistent evidence that oral omega-3 supplementation ≥600 mg/day for ≥3 weeks improves muscle maintenance or quality of life in cancer patients.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 600 mg/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Ages
- 18+
RCTImpact of fish oil and melatonin on cachexia in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer: a randomized pilot study2005n=13
In 24 advanced GI cancer patients, 30 mL/day fish oil (4.9 g EPA + 3.2 g DHA) for 4 weeks stabilized weight in 38% versus 27% with melatonin; combined treatment thereafter helped ~63% stabilize weight.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Dose
- 18 mg/day
- Population
- GI cancer patients
- Participants
- 13
Clinical trialPhase II study of high-dose fish oil capsules for patients with cancer-related cachexia2004n=36
A phase II study of 36 advanced cancer patients with cachexia found that fish oil (7.5 g for a 70kg individual) taken for a median of 1.2 months led to weight gain (>5% bw) in 6 patients and weight stablisation (gain of <= 5% or loss of <5%) in 24 patients. The entire group had a median rate of weight loss of 1.2%, suggesting an overall beneficial effect on cachexia given initial median body weight loss of 4% per month, that was expected to rise to 4.8% over 1.2 months. Six patients experienced continued weight loss (>5%). [10648]
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 1.2 months
- Dose
- 7.5 g EPA + DHA/day
- Population
- Advanced cancer patients
- Participants
- 36
RCTEffect of fish oil on appetite and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer and anorexia/cachexia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study2003n=30
In 60 advanced cancer patients with weight loss over 2 weeks, fish oil providing 1.8 g EPA and 1.2 g DHA daily did not improve appetite, symptoms, or nutritional status versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Dose
- 1.8 g EPA + 1.2 g DHA/day
- Population
- Advanced cancer patients
- Participants
- 30
Clinical trialPhase I clinical study of fish oil fatty acid capsules for patients with cancer cachexia: Cancer and Leukemia Group B Study 94731999n=22
A phase I clinical trial of 22 patients with cancer-induced cachexia (>= 2% body weight loss in the previous month) found a maximum tolerated dose of 0.3 g/kg/day fish oil. [10649]
- Dose
- 0.3 g/kg/day
- Population
- Cancer cachexia patients
- Participants
- 22
Clinical trialThe effect of an oral nutritional supplement enriched with fish oil on weight-loss in patients with pancreatic cancer1999n=20
In 20 unresectable pancreatic cancer patients, two daily fish-oil-enriched supplements (~2.18 g EPA/day) produced median weight gain of 1 kg at 3 weeks and 2 kg at 7 weeks versus ongoing baseline weight loss.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7 weeks
- Dose
- 2.18 g EPA/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 20
Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)View supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Small studies suggest that taking branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) by mouth may help people with wasting conditions caused by illnesses like cancer, liver disease, or heart failure.
- For example, elderly patients on dialysis who took BCAAs three times a day had better appetite, ate more calories, and experienced improvements in blood protein levels and body measurements.
- People with cancer or liver-related wasting showed some improvement after taking BCAAs, but these studies didn’t compare results to a placebo.
- In people with heart failure who lost a lot of weight, taking BCAAs at night helped improve quality of life, appetite, and tiredness, especially when combined with melatonin.
Browse 3 studies
RCTImpact of melatonin and branched-chain amino acids cosupplementation on quality of life, fatigue, and nutritional status in cachectic heart failure patients: a randomized controlled trial2019
An 8-week RCT in cachectic heart failure patients found BCAA plus melatonin improved quality of life, fatigue, and appetite versus control, though nutritional risk index did not change.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Population
- Patients with heart failure
RCTNutritional supplementation with branched-chain amino acids in advanced cirrhosis: a double-blind, randomized trial2003n=174
A 1-year multicenter RCT of 174 advanced cirrhosis patients found oral BCAA reduced combined clinical events, hospital admissions, and Child-Pugh score versus lactoalbumin or maltodextrin.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients with cirrhosis
- Participants
- 174
RCTOral supplementation of branched-chain amino acid improves nutritional status in elderly patients on chronic haemodialysis2001n=28
A 12-month crossover RCT of 28 malnourished elderly hemodialysis patients found 12 g/day oral BCAA improved appetite, protein intake, and raised albumin from 3.31 to 3.93 g/dL.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 12 g/day
- Population
- Older adults
- Participants
- 28
- Ages
- >70
L-CarnitineView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In people with cancer‑related weight loss (cachexia), taking L‑carnitine 4 grams daily for 12 weeks has been shown to increase body mass index.
- Other studies show that when L‑carnitine is combined with medicines and nutrients such as megestrol, fish oil (EPA), thalidomide, or celecoxib plus antioxidants, it works better than a single treatment alone, helping to increase lean body mass, reduce fatigue, and improve quality of life.
Browse 3 studies
RCTA randomized phase III clinical trial of a combined treatment for cachexia in patients with gynecological cancers: evaluating the impact on metabolic and inflammatory profiles and quality of life2012n=152
In 152 gynecologic cancer patients with cachexia, a combined carnitine-based regimen improved lean body mass and fatigue versus control in a phase III trial.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 months
- Population
- Patients with depressive disorders
- Participants
- 152
RCTL-Carnitine-supplementation in advanced pancreatic cancer (CARPAN)—a randomized multicentre trial2012n=72
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial in 72 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer found that oral L-carnitine supplementation (4 g/day for 12 weeks) significantly improved body mass index, lean body mass, and quality of life, while reducing fatigue and improving survival trends.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Dose
- 4 g/day
- Population
- Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer
- Participants
- 72
RCTRandomized phase III clinical trial of five different arms of treatment in 332 patients with cancer cachexia2010n=332
In 332 cancer cachexia patients, L-carnitine 500 mg/day as part of multimodal therapy improved lean body mass and fatigue versus control arms in a randomized phase III trial.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 months
- Dose
- 500 mg/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 332
GingerView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain if ginger helps improve appetite in people with cancer-related anorexia.
- In one small study, people taking 1650 mg of ginger daily for 2 weeks reported better appetite and less nausea and stomach discomfort, but the study did not compare these results to a placebo or other treatment.
Browse 1 study
Clinical trialThe effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in patients with advanced cancer2020n=15
In 15 advanced cancer patients, ginger 1650 mg/day for 14 days was evaluated for anorexia-cachexia and gastric motility; the study assessed electrogastrography but was primarily exploratory.
- Duration
- 14 days
- Dose
- 1650 mg/day
- Population
- Advanced cancer patients
- Participants
- 15
- Avg age
- ~58
MelatoninView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research in patients with advanced lung or stomach and intestinal cancers shows that taking melatonin 20 mg each night for 28 days does not improve appetite, weight, or body make-up compared with a placebo.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffects of melatonin on appetite and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer and cachexia: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial2013n=48
A 28-day double-blind RCT of 48 advanced cancer patients with cachexia found 20 mg/day melatonin did not improve appetite, weight, or quality of life vs placebo and was stopped for futility.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 28 days
- Dose
- 20 mg/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 48
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Oil | ★★★★★72% | 6 | 1 | 43% |
| Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) | ★★★★★48% | 3 | 0 | 21% |
| L-Carnitine | ★★★★★48% | 3 | 0 | 21% |
| Ginger | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 7% |