Foods/Supplements-Vitamins: Ginseng - Fatigue.

[pjoshea13]

This is another in a series of posts with titles that begin:

"Foods/Supplements-Vitamins:" (paste it in the Search area - top-right - to find them)

I have never used ginseng for PCa, but then I have yet to experience Cancer-Related Fatigue [CRF]. The studies below are not PCa-specific.

In 2010, Debra Barton [Mayo] published the result of a pilot study [1]:

The study used Wisconsin Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).

"Eligible adults with cancer were randomized in a double-blind manner, to receive American ginseng in doses of 750, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/day or placebo given in twice daily dosing over 8 weeks."

"Over twice as many patients on ginseng perceived a benefit and were satisfied with treatment over those on placebo."

"There appears to be some activity and tolerable toxicity at 1,000–2,000 mg/day doses of American ginseng with regard to cancer-related fatigue. "

In 2013, we get the results of the follow-up double-blind trial [2].

The Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory–Short Form (MFSI-SF) was used to assess fatigue at 4 & 8 weeks.

"A statistically significant difference was seen at 8 weeks with a change score of 20 ... for the ginseng group and 10.3 ... for the placebo group"

{If you don't like ginseng, you can always try the placebo. LOL}

"Greater benefit was reported in patients receiving active cancer treatment vs those who had completed treatment."

"Data support the benefit of American ginseng, 2000mg daily, on CRF over an 8-week period. There were no discernible toxicities associated with the treatment."

In 2015, Yennurajalingam (MD Anderson) published the result of a preliminary study [3]:

This study used Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng [PG]),

& used the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale.

"Of the 24 evaluable patients, 21 (87%) had an improved (by ≥3 points) FACIT-F score by day 15."

"PG is safe and improves CRF fatigue as well as overall quality of life, appetite, and sleep at night."

In 2017, the results of the follow-up double-blind trial were published [4]:

Alas, the placebo performed really well. However, the PG had fewer toxicities [LOL].

"There is no justification to recommend the use of PG for CRF. Further studies are needed."

In 2017, we have "A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial" of Red Ginseng [5].

"... red ginseng was associated with improved emotional functioning and decreased symptoms of fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and dyspnea, reduced anxiety and interference affecting life and improved daytime somnolence."

This last study was limited to "Quality of Life after Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer", but I thought it worth including.

...

swansonvitamins.com/swanson...

-Patrick

[1] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[2] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[3] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/258...

[4] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/288...

[5] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[kmack57]

Thanks Patrick, another tool for the box!

Kevin

[Magnus1964]

Great find in the literature.

[AnnieAppleseed]

I know Debra Barton, an RN who focuses on natural products and substances. Studies always of natural products/substances always end with "More studies needed". As someone who first read these ideas 25+ years ago, I wonder when there will BE more studies. Big Pharma has no interest, since they cannot patent natural. And our government is just not focused there either. I didn't wait, but adopted many natural approaches.

[Stelle]

Thanks for posting this since I was thinking of doing the same. Six months ago I pulled down a monograph from "Up To Date" which is a research outcome guide used by most internal medicine MDs. The monograph looked at all extant studies of cancer fatigue and the beneficial effects of supplements. Normally I avoid the supplement BS that is not based on good science, however, given the source and the finding that the only supplement which seemed to have a significant effect was red liquid Genseng grown in the US I decided to try it. In three weeks, three droppers a day, I felt so much better. The overwhelming need to lie down every time I got a chance was gone. After a couple of months I figured that it was probably a placebo effect or due to being put on Xtandi. In a few week the exhaustion was back. I ordered it again and lo and behold in a few week I was feeling really good again. For all of you out there at Stage IV you should give it a try. It just might give you your life back as it did mine.

[Beermaker]

Is the recommended dosage 1000 mg twice a day, or 2000 twice a day, or what? I am interested in trying it but don't know what to order.

[pjoshea13 in reply to Beermaker]

"2000mg/day of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)" divided dose, i.e. 1000 mg twice a day.

-Patrick

[Beermaker]

Thanks, Patrick