Oral leukoplakia

Overview

SupplementDEX lists 3 supplements studied for oral leukoplakia across 5 trials. The strongest indexed signals include Vitamin A, Green Tea, Vitamin B2. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings across all supplements.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Vitamin A	★★★★★	Medium
Green Tea	★★★★★	Low
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	★★★★★	Very Low / None

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

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

Vitamin AView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeMediumEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Taking high doses of vitamin A by mouth once a week for 6-12 months may help clear white patches called leukoplakia in people who chew tobacco or betel nut.
It is not known if vitamin A stops these patches from turning into oral cancer.

Browse 2 studies

RCTResponse of oral leukoplakias to the administration of vitamin A1998n=33

A randomized trial of 33 found that 200000 IU/day for 6 months their cancer-causing habit, which can be quantitated (an average of 13.1 betel quids/day, 26.1 min/quid), did not change during the trial period.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 6 months
Dose: 200000 IU/day
Participants: 33

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RCTChemoprevention of oral leukoplakia with vitamin A and beta carotene: an assessment1997n=55

A randomized trial of 55 women found that 300000 IU/day the results of this study, as well as those from previous studies, appear to provide strong supporting evidence to justify long term trials with vitamin A in subjects with high-risk leukoplakias with oral cancer as an endpoint.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 months
Dose: 300000 IU/day
Population: Women
Participants: 55

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Green TeaView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Early research shows that drinking green tea combined with applying a green tea product inside the mouth may help shrink white patches called oral leukoplakia.
One study found patients who drank green tea and used a green tea cream in their mouth three times a day for 6 months had their oral patch size decrease by about 38%, while patches grew slightly in those using a placebo.
Green tea treatment was safe but sometimes caused mild side effects like trouble sleeping and nervousness.
It is unclear whether these benefits came from the green tea alone or the combination of ingredients.

Browse 1 study

RCTThe chemopreventive effects of tea on human oral precancerous mucosa lesions1999n=20

In 59 patients with oral leukoplakia, 6 months of mixed tea (3 g/day oral plus topical) reduced lesion size in 37.9% of treated patients versus 3.2% of controls.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 6 months
Dose: 3 g/day
Population: Healthy adults
Participants: 20

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Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)View supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is unknown if taking riboflavin (vitamin B2) prevents or slows oral leukoplakia, a condition that can lead to mouth cancer.
In Uzbekistan, people with low riboflavin levels were more likely to have oral leukoplakia.
But in a study where people took a high dose of riboflavin once a week for almost two years, there was no improvement in their condition.
The study had some limitations, and results may not apply to other places.

Browse 2 studies

RCTChemoprevention of oral leukoplakia and chronic esophagitis in an area of high incidence of oral and esophageal cancer1993n=532

A randomized trial of 532 men found that 100000 IU/day for 20 months risk of progression of chronic esophagitis was also lower in men with a high blood concentration of beta-carotene, odds ratios being 0.30 (95% CI: 0.10 to 0.89) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.15 to 1.58) for medium and high levels, respectively.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 20 months
Dose: 100000 IU/day
Population: Men
Participants: 532
Ages: 50–69

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Clinical trialChemoprevention of oral and esophageal cancer in Uzbekistan, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics1985n=1,569

A study of 1569 found that of the men from whom blood was drawn for analysis, 4%, 66%, and 86% had low levels of retinol, carotene, and riboflavin, respectively.

Population: Men
Participants: 1,569

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Evidence visualised

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

Purchase-guidance distribution

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Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 3 supplements for oral leukoplakia (5 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Share
Vitamin A	★★★★★56%	2	40%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	★★★★★32%	2	40%
Green Tea	★★★★★44%	1	20%

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Overview

Effect graph

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Studies

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