Leukemia

Overview

Evidence for supplements in leukemia is largely limited or negative across seven studies. Higher Vitamin B9 (Folate) during pregnancy does not appear to lower childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk. Daily Vitamin C did not reduce leukemia incidence or mortality in a long-term study of older men, with or without vitamin E.

Some observational studies link Green Tea with a 51% to 80% lower leukemia risk, though other studies found mixed results. High-dose Vitamin A with busulfan did not improve survival and may increase side effects. The heatmap and evidence reviews below compare these findings.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Green Tea	★★★★★	Low
Vitamin A	★★★★★	Low
Vitamin B9 (Folate)	★★★★★	Very Low / None
Vitamin C	★★★★★	Very Low / None

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

4 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

Green TeaView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceHighTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Some large studies suggest that people who drink green tea may have a 51% to 80% lower risk of leukemia, especially certain types like lymphocytic leukemia.
Lab research shows green tea contains compounds that can slow the growth of leukemia cells.
However, other studies have found mixed results, and more research is needed before we can be sure.

Browse 4 studies

MetaGreen tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer2020n=1,795

A Cochrane review found very low-certainty evidence that green tea may reduce some cancer risks, with no clear effect on overall cancer incidence.

Effect: Benefit
Participants: 1,795

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ObservationalGreen tea consumption and risk of hematologic neoplasms: the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk (JACC Study)2019n=65,042

In 65,042 Japanese adults (ages 40–79), green tea consumption showed no clear overall association with incident hematologic neoplasms.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 65,042
Ages: 40–79

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ObservationalA population-based, case-control study of green tea consumption and leukemia risk in southwestern Taiwan2009

In a Taiwanese case-control study, higher green tea catechin intake was associated with lower leukemia risk after adjustment for confounders.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Children and young adults
Ages: 0–15

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ObservationalPossible protective effect of green tea intake on risk of adult leukaemia2008n=107

In a Chinese case-control study of 107 leukemia cases and 110 controls, longer duration and higher quantity of green tea intake were linked to lower adult leukemia risk.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 107
Ages: 16–81

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Vitamin AView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Taking high-dose vitamin A along with chemotherapy drug busulfan does not seem to help adults with a type of leukemia live longer.
It may also cause more side effects compared to chemotherapy alone.

Browse 1 study

RCTEffects of vitamin A on survival in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia: a SWOG randomized trial1995n=153

A randomized trial of 153 found that after adjustment for significant factors identified in an additional exploratory multivariate analysis, risk of clinical progression or death was 53% (P = 0.022) greater and risk of death 60% (P = 0.014) greater among busulfan patients.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 153

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Vitamin B9 (Folate)View supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

A review of two studies found that taking more folate during pregnancy does not lower the risk of a child developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Browse 1 study1 meta-analysis

MetaVitamin and mineral supplements in pregnancy and the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a case-control study2007n=97

A meta-analysis of 97 studies found that combining our results with the study from Western Australia and another study from Québec in a meta-analysis gave a summary OR of 0.9 (95% CI 0.8-1.1).

Effect: No Benefit
Population: Pregnant women
Participants: 97

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Vitamin CView supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Taking vitamin C every day does not lower the chance of getting leukemia or dying from it.
A long-term study in older men showed no benefit from using vitamin C, with or without vitamin E, over 10 years compared to placebo.

Browse 1 study

RCTVitamin E and C supplementation and risk of cancer in men: posttrial follow-up in the Physicians' Health Study II randomized trial2014

Post-trial follow-up of Physicians' Health Study II found neither 500 mg/day vitamin C nor 400 IU vitamin E every other day affected cancer mortality.

Effect: No Benefit
Dose: 400 IU/day
Population: Men
Ages: ≥50

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Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 4 supplements for leukemia (7 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Meta-analyses	Share
Green Tea	★★★★★52%	4	0	57%
Vitamin A	★★★★★44%	1	0	14%
Vitamin B9 (Folate)	★★★★★36%	1	1	14%
Vitamin C	★★★★★32%	1	0	14%

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Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

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