Postoperative recovery
Supplements studied for Postoperative recovery.
Overview
SupplementDEX lists 6 supplements studied for postoperative recovery across 8 trials. The strongest indexed signals include Vitamin D, Theanine, Melatonin. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings across all supplements.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Theanine | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
| Selenium | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
| Saccharomyces boulardii | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
| Red Yeast Rice | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
6 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Vitamin DView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Vitamin D is possibly effective for Postoperative recovery.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
MetaPreoperative Vitamin D Supplementation to Reduce Hypocalcemia Following Total Thyroidectomy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials2025n=564
A meta-analysis of 8 thyroidectomy RCTs (902 patients) found preoperative vitamin D supplementation reduced postoperative hypocalcemia versus no supplementation.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients
- Participants
- 564
- Avg age
- ~48.9
TheanineView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not clear if taking theanine by mouth alone helps recovery after surgery.
- One small study in people having esophagus surgery found that taking theanine together with cystine before and after surgery improved exercise ability and some quality of life measures, but did not change overall physical activity.
- It is unknown if these benefits came from theanine, cystine, or both.
Browse 1 study
RCTPerioperative Administration of Cystine and Theanine Suppresses Inflammation and Facilitates Early Rehabilitation and Recovery after Esophagectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial2022n=16
An RCT of 32 esophagectomy patients found that perioperative cystine and theanine reduced inflammatory markers, improved 6-minute walk distance, and shortened ICU stay versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 17 days
- Population
- Pregnant women
- Participants
- 16
- Ages
- 20–80
MelatoninView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In women having a total abdominal hysterectomy, taking melatonin 5 mg in an extended-release form about 1.5 hours before surgery shortened hospital stay to 2.7 days compared with 3.4 days for placebo.
Browse 3 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaEffects of melatonin on postoperative sleep quality: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis2023n=516
A meta-analysis found melatonin modestly improved postoperative sleep quality versus placebo, though overall evidence remained inconclusive.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 516
RCTEffectiveness of melatonin treatment for sleep disturbance in orthopaedic trauma patients: A prospective, randomized control trial2022n=42
In 84 orthopedic trauma patients 2 weeks postoperatively, melatonin 5 mg for 2 weeks improved sleep and quality of life versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Dose
- 5 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 42
- Avg age
- ~42
RCTMidazolam reduction with pre-operative melatonin in abdominal hysterectomy: double-blind randomized clinical trial2022
In women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy, preoperative melatonin reduced intraoperative midazolam requirements versus placebo in a double-blind trial.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 5 mg
- Population
- Women
- Ages
- 25+
Saccharomyces boulardiiView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain whether taking Saccharomyces boulardii by mouth helps improve recovery after surgery on the colon.
- A small study showed that taking 100 mg daily before surgery, along with standard antibiotics, did not shorten hospital stay compared to usual treatment.
- More research is needed to be sure.
Browse 1 study
RCTRandomized Clinical Trial: Impact of Oral Administration of Saccharomyces boulardii on Gene Expression of Intestinal Cytokines in Patients Undergoing Colon Resection2016n=18
In colon surgery patients, preoperative S. boulardii reduced mucosal inflammatory cytokine expression versus conventional care.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 18
SeleniumView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Giving high doses of selenium (sodium selenite) through an IV around the time of and after heart surgery does not seem to help patients survive longer or recover faster.
- A large study showed no difference in hospital stay length, survival, or how soon people could walk after surgery compared to those who did not get selenium.
- Even patients needing extra heart support did not benefit from the selenium treatment.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of High-Dose Selenium on Postoperative Organ Dysfunction and Mortality in Cardiac Surgery Patients: The SUSTAIN CSX Randomized Clinical Trial2023n=1,416
In high-risk cardiac surgery patients, high-dose IV sodium selenite did not reduce postoperative organ dysfunction or mortality versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 10 days
- Dose
- 2000 μg/L sodium selenite pre-CPB and postoperatively; 1000 μg/L/day in ICU (max 10 days)
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 1,416
- Avg age
- ~68
Red Yeast RiceView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taiwanese research suggests that taking red yeast rice before major surgery might lower the chances of bleeding, lung infection, stroke, and death after surgery, and could help patients leave the hospital sooner.
- Since this was an observational study, more research is needed to confirm if red yeast rice really helps recovery after surgery.
Browse 1 study
ObservationalEffects of red yeast rice prescription (LipoCol Forte) on adverse outcomes of surgery2019n=2,581
In 2,581 surgical patients matched to 25,810 controls, preoperative red yeast rice (LipoCol Forte) prescription showed no significant difference in postoperative complications or mortality.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Surgical patients
- Participants
- 2,581
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melatonin | ★★★★★40% | 3 | 1 | 38% |
| Red Yeast Rice | ★★★★★28% | 1 | 0 | 13% |
| Saccharomyces boulardii | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 13% |
| Selenium | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 13% |
| Theanine | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 13% |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★64% | 1 | 1 | 13% |