Cancer-related fatigue
Supplements studied for cancer-related fatigue.
Overview
Several supplements have been explored for cancer-related fatigue, with mixed but notable signals. Guarana may moderately reduce tiredness based on a recent review of studies in 229 patients, though trial heterogeneity limits certainty.
American Ginseng shows inconsistent results across doses and durations, with one trial reporting roughly half the fatigue of placebo at 1000 mg twice daily for eight weeks while others found no benefit. Panax Ginseng and Astragalus have early supportive findings in small or uncontrolled studies; SAMe appeared to lessen fatigue during colorectal cancer chemotherapy in one trial. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for supplement-specific ratings and trials.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Guarana | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Panax Ginseng | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Astragalus | ★★★★★ | Low |
| American Ginseng | ★★★★★ | Low |
| SAMe | ★★★★★ | Low |
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.
GuaranaView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A recent review of several studies including 229 cancer patients suggests that guarana may help reduce cancer-related fatigue, a common and exhausting symptom many cancer patients experience during and after treatment.
- The analysis found that guarana led to a moderate decrease in tiredness when compared with placebo or no treatment.
- However, because the studies varied and were limited in number, more research with larger patient groups is needed to confirm these benefits.
Browse 2 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaNatural supplementation to effectively treat cancer-induced fatigue: evidence of a meta-analysis on the use of guaraná2024n=229
A meta-analysis of 229 patients found guarana (Paullinia cupana) supplementation significantly reduced cancer-related fatigue versus control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 229
- Ages
- 18+
RCTEffectiveness of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) for postradiation fatigue and depression: results of a pilot double-blind randomized study2009n=36
In a pilot crossover RCT of 36 breast cancer patients during adjuvant radiation, guarana (75 mg/day) did not significantly reduce fatigue or depression versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 75 mg/day
- Population
- Breast cancer patients
- Participants
- 36
Panax GinsengView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Early research shows that taking 400 mg of Panax ginseng twice daily for 4 weeks reduces tiredness in 63% of adults with cancer-related fatigue and also helps with pain, appetite, and quality of life, but this was not tested against a control group.
- Another study in people with colorectal cancer found that taking 2000 mg daily for 16 weeks improved fatigue on one test, but not on another fatigue scale.
Browse 3 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaEffects of Ginseng on Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials2022
A meta-analysis of 7 RCTs found ginseng modestly reduced cancer-related fatigue (SMD −0.21) and improved physical and emotional well-being in cancer patients.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Cancer patients
RCTKorean red ginseng for cancer-related fatigue in colorectal cancer patients with chemotherapy: A randomised phase III trial2020n=219
In 438 colorectal cancer patients on chemotherapy, Korean red ginseng 2000 mg/day for 16 weeks improved fatigue versus placebo in per-protocol analysis (global BFI, P=0.019), including mood and walking ability.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Dose
- 2000 mg/day
- Population
- Patients with cancer
- Participants
- 219
Open-labelHigh-Dose Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Preliminary Report2015n=30
An open-label study of 30 cancer patients with high-dose Panax ginseng (800 mg/day for 29 days) found 87% had ≥3-point FACIT-F improvement by day 15, with no severe adverse events.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 29 days
- Dose
- 800 mg/day
- Population
- Patients with cancer
- Participants
- 30
- Avg age
- ~58
American GinsengView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research on American ginseng for cancer-related fatigue shows mixed results.
- Some studies using 750 to 2000 mg daily for 8 weeks found no improvement, while another study showed that taking 1000 mg twice daily for 8 weeks reduced fatigue by half compared to placebo.
- Shorter use of 4 weeks is not effective.
- Differences in how fatigue was measured might explain these mixed results.
- Professional guidelines suggest that American ginseng may help adults with cancer-related fatigue during treatment.
Browse 3 studies
RCTA randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of ginseng in reducing fatigue in patients treated for head and neck cancer2020
In 32 head and neck cancer survivors with fatigue, 8 weeks of American ginseng 1000 mg/day did not beat placebo on Brief Fatigue Inventory scores; placebo trended better on activity interference.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day
- Population
- Head and neck cancer patients
RCTWisconsin Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) to improve cancer-related fatigue: a randomized, double-blind trial, N07C22013
A large randomized, double-blind trial (N07C2) involving cancer patients found that 2,000 mg/day of Wisconsin ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) significantly reduced cancer-related fatigue, particularly among patients actively receiving treatment. The study supported the potential role of American ginseng as a non-toxic, effective adjunct therapy for fatigue.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 2000 mg/day
- Population
- Cancer survivors
RCTPilot study of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) to improve cancer-related fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, dose-finding evaluation: NCCTG trial N03CA2010
A randomized, double-blind pilot trial (NCCTG N03CA) investigated the efficacy of different doses of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) for cancer-related fatigue. Higher doses (1,000–2,000 mg/day) were associated with clinically meaningful fatigue improvement, supporting further phase III evaluation.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 2000 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
AstragalusView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research suggests that taking Astragalus membranaceus may help reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in people with cancer.
- The evidence comes from several small studies, and more high-quality research is needed to be sure.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
MetaEfficacy of Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies2025
A meta-analysis of 8 RCTs found astragalus-containing therapy reduced cancer-related fatigue and improved quality of life in oncology patients versus control, though study quality was low.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients with cancer
SAMeView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A study of patients with colorectal cancer found that those who took a supplement called SAMe twice daily during chemotherapy felt less tired than those who did not take the supplement.
- This improvement was noticeable after 3 months of treatment and lasted at least 6 months.
- SAMe may help reduce fatigue in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Browse 1 study
S-Adenosylmethionine Supplementation May Reduce Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Prospective Evaluation Using the FACIT-F Questionnaire in Colon Cancer Patients Undergoing Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy Regimens2021n=91
A prospective study suggested SAMe supplementation may reduce cancer-related fatigue, though controlled trial evidence is still limited.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 400 mg 2×/day
- Population
- Patients with cancer
- Participants
- 91
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Ginseng | ★★★★★48% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| Panax Ginseng | ★★★★★52% | 3 | 1 | 30% |
| Guarana | ★★★★★64% | 2 | 1 | 20% |
| Astragalus | ★★★★★48% | 1 | 1 | 10% |
| SAMe | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 10% |