Researchers tested whether special gut bacteria supplements called synbiotics could help people with advanced throat cancer feel less tired, eat better, and stay stronger during treatment. They gave 34 cancer patients either the supplements or fake pills for 6 weeks while they received chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the supplements didn’t make any difference in reducing inflammation, improving appetite, fighting fatigue, or maintaining muscle strength compared to the fake pills. This suggests that these particular probiotic supplements may not be helpful for people going through cancer treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether probiotic supplements with prebiotics could help cancer patients feel better and stay stronger during chemotherapy treatment
  • Who participated: 34 adults aged 20-70 with advanced throat cancer who were getting chemotherapy but didn’t have cancer that had spread to other parts of their body
  • Key finding: The probiotic supplements showed no significant benefits compared to fake pills for any of the health problems they measured
  • What it means for you: If you’re dealing with cancer treatment, these specific probiotic supplements probably won’t help with fatigue, appetite, or strength, so focus on proven treatments your doctor recommends

The Research Details

This was a gold-standard study called a randomized controlled trial. Researchers split 43 cancer patients into two groups randomly - like flipping a coin. One group got real probiotic supplements containing 4 different types of good bacteria plus a prebiotic (food for the bacteria). The other group got fake pills that looked identical but contained no active ingredients. Neither the patients nor researchers knew who got what until the end, which prevents bias from affecting the results.

This type of study design is considered the most reliable way to test whether a treatment actually works. By comparing the supplement to a fake pill and keeping everyone blind to what they’re taking, researchers can be confident that any differences they see are really due to the treatment, not just people’s expectations or other factors.

The study used proper randomization and blinding, which are hallmarks of good research. However, the sample size was relatively small with only 34 people completing the study, and 9 people dropped out, which could affect the reliability of the results.

What the Results Show

After 6 weeks of treatment, researchers found no meaningful differences between the probiotic group and the placebo group. Inflammation markers in the blood were similar between groups. Appetite scores, fatigue levels, and hand grip strength (a measure of overall strength) were also virtually identical. Even body composition measurements like fat mass and muscle mass showed no significant differences. The p-values (statistical measures of significance) ranged from 0.27 to 0.92, with anything above 0.05 considered not statistically significant.

The study measured multiple aspects of health that cancer patients often struggle with, including specific inflammatory markers like neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein levels. None of these showed improvement with the probiotic treatment compared to placebo.

This adds to mixed research on probiotics for cancer patients. While some studies have suggested potential benefits, this well-designed trial joins others showing limited effects, highlighting that probiotics may not be the universal solution some hoped for in cancer care.

The study was relatively small and only lasted 6 weeks, so longer-term effects remain unknown. It also only tested one specific combination of probiotics and prebiotics, so other formulations might work differently. The study only included people with one type of cancer (nasopharyngeal), so results may not apply to other cancer types.

The Bottom Line

Based on this evidence, cancer patients shouldn’t expect these particular probiotic supplements to help with fatigue, appetite loss, or maintaining strength during chemotherapy. Focus on proven supportive care measures recommended by your oncology team instead.

People with cancer considering probiotic supplements should discuss this research with their doctors. Those already taking similar supplements shouldn’t expect dramatic improvements in energy or appetite based on these findings.

The study tested effects over 6 weeks, which is typically enough time to see benefits if they were going to occur. Longer studies would be needed to know about extended use.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily energy levels, appetite ratings, and any supplement use to identify what actually helps you feel better during treatment
  • Instead of relying on unproven supplements, focus on tracking proven supportive care strategies like adequate sleep, gentle exercise as tolerated, and proper nutrition
  • Log symptoms, treatments, and any supplements weekly to identify patterns and discuss meaningful changes with your healthcare team

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Cancer patients should always consult with their oncology team before starting, stopping, or changing any supplements or treatments.