In a study of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers found that the consumption of antioxidants through dietary intake was correlated with reduced rates of infection or mucositis, with no increased risk of relapse or reduced survival.1
These results suggest that dietary counseling on a well-balanced diet that includes antioxidants from an array of food sources may aid in protecting patients from infections and mucositis during the treatment of childhood ALL. However, the results did not support any additional benefit of antioxidant supplementation over and above that obtained by dietary intake alone.
“This is the first study to suggest that a high-quality diet, rather than taking supplements, during ALL treatment may be beneficial in reducing these common toxicities,” Kara Kelly, MD, the Waldemar J. Kaminski…
