addonfinal2
What Foods are Recommended for Cancer?
is a very common question. Personalized Nutrition Plans are foods and supplements which are personalized to a cancer indication, genes, any treatments and lifestyle conditions.

Oral Glutamine Supplements for Radiation-Induced Swallowing Difficulties in Lung Cancer Patients

Jul 9, 2021

4.5
(33)
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Home » Blogs » Oral Glutamine Supplements for Radiation-Induced Swallowing Difficulties in Lung Cancer Patients

Highlights

Clinical studies conducted by different research groups investigated the effect of oral intake of glutamine supplements, a non-essential amino acid, on the incidence rate of acute radiation-induced esophagitis or swallowing difficulties and weight loss in Lung Cancer Patients. The results of these studies indicated that increased oral glutamine supplementation may benefit lung cancer patients by reducing the incidence of esophagus inflammation, swallowing problems/difficulties & related weight loss.



Esophagitis in Lung Cancer Patients

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women globally and accounts for more than 18% of the total cancer deaths (GLOBOCAN, 2018). With the latest treatment advances, the number of new lung cancer cases has been reducing in the last few years (American Cancer Society, 2020). Based on the type and stage of the cancer, functioning of the lungs and the overall health of the patient, the treatment for the lung cancer patient is decided from different options including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and surgery. However, many of these treatments are associated with several long term and short term side-effects. One of the most common, unpleasant and painful side effects seen in lung cancer patients who received radiation therapy in the chest area is esophagitis. 

Glutamine supplements for  radiation-induced esophagitis/swallowing difficulties in Lung Cancer

Esophagitis is the inflammation of the esophagus, a muscular hollow tube which connects the throat with the stomach. Generally, the onset of acute radiation-induced esophagitis (ARIE) happens within 3 months post radiotherapy and can often lead to serious swallowing problems. Hence, extensive research was carried out to explore ways to prevent and manage radiation-induced esophagitis in cancer patients. Many studies published recently highlighted the use of supplements such as glutamine to prevent or delay radiation induced esophagitis. L-Glutamine, generally called Glutamine  is a non-essential amino acid which is produced by the body and can also be obtained from a wide variety of foods which include animal sources such as milk, milk products, eggs and meat, and plant sources such as cabbage, beans, spinach, parsley and beet greens. However, glutamine, which constitutes 60% of the aminoacids present in our skeletal muscle, is often significantly depleted in cancer patients leading to weight loss and fatigue. 

Foods to Eat After Cancer Diagnosis!

No two cancers are the same. Go beyond the common nutrition guidelines for everyone and make personalized decisions about food and supplements with confidence.

Studies associated with Oral Glutamine Supplements & Radiation-Induced Swallowing Difficulties in Lung Cancer

Study by Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taiwan

In a recent clinical study conducted by the researchers at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taiwan between September 2014 to September 2015, data from 60 non-small cell lung cancer patients including 42 men and 18 women, with a mean age  of 60.3 years, were evaluated.  (Chang SC et al, Medicine (Baltimore), 2019)  These patients received platinum based regimens and radiotherapy concurrently, with or without oral glutamine supplementation for 1 year. The researchers found that after a mean follow up period of 26.4 months, glutamine supplementation decreased the incidence rate of grade 2/3 acute radiation-induced esophagitis/swallowing difficulties to 6.7 % compared to 53.4% in patients who didn’t receive glutamine supplements. It was also observed that the incidence rate of weight loss had decreased to 20% in glutamine administered patients compared to 73.3% in patients who didn’t receive glutamine. Glutamine supplementation also delayed the onset of acute radiation-induced esophagitis for 5.8 days (Chang SC et al, Medicine (Baltimore), 2019).

Palliative Care Nutrition for Cancer | When Conventional Treatment is not Working

Study by Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medicine School, Turkey

In another clinical study conducted by the researchers from Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medicine School, Turkey, between 2010 and 2014, data from 122 Stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer patients were analyzed (Kanyilmaz Gul et al, Clin Nutr., 2017). These patients received concurrent chemotherapy (with Cisplatin/carboplatin+pactitaxel or Cisplatin+Etoposide, or Cisplatin+Vinorelbine) and radiotherapy, with or without oral glutamine supplementation. A total of 56 patients (46%) were supplemented with oral glutamine. The researchers found that after an average follow up period of 13.14 months, glutamine supplementation decreased the incidence rate of grade 2-3 acute radiation-induced esophagitis/swallowing difficulties to 30% compared to 70% in those who didn’t receive glutamine supplements. They also observed that the incidence rate of weight loss had decreased to 53% in glutamine administered patients compared to 86% in patients who didn’t receive glutamine. The study also showed that glutamine supplementation had no negative impact on tumor control and survival outcomes (Kanyilmaz Gul et al, Clin Nutr., 2017).

Can Oral Glutamine supplementation Reduce Esophagitis or Swallowing Difficulties in Lung Cancer patients?

In summary, these studies indicate that intake of oral glutamine supplements can benefit non-small cell lung cancer patients by reducing the incidence of radiation-induced esophagitis/swallowing difficulties and weight loss, thereby improving their quality of life. However, since previous in vitro studies suggested that glutamine may support cancer cell growth, oncologists were often reluctant to administer glutamine in cancer patients in order to avoid any complications  (Kanyilmaz Gul et al, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2015), though the recent clinical studies showed no negative impact on tumor control and survival outcomes with glutamine supplementation. (Kanyilmaz Gul et al, Clin Nutr., 2017) Hence, while the studies summarized in this blog highlight the benefits of glutamine in lung cancer, patients should always discuss with their physician before taking any supplements for their cancer.

What food you eat and which supplements you take is a decision you make. Your decision should include consideration of the cancer gene mutations, which cancer, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, lifestyle information, weight, height and habits.

The nutrition planning for cancer from addon is not based on internet searches. It automates the decision making for you based on molecular science implemented by our scientists and software engineers. Irrespective of whether you care to understand the underlying biochemical molecular pathways or not - for nutrition planning for cancer that understanding is needed.

Get started NOW with your nutrition planning by answering questions on the name of cancer, genetic mutations, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, habits, lifestyle, age group and gender.

sample-report

Personalized Nutrition for Cancer!

Cancer changes with time. Customize and modify your nutrition based on cancer indication, treatments, lifestyle, food preferences, allergies and other factors.


Cancer patients often have to deal with different chemotherapy side effects which affect their quality of life and look out for alternative therapies for cancer. Taking the right nutrition and supplements based on scientific considerations (avoiding guesswork and random selection) is the best natural remedy for cancer and treatment related side-effects.


Scientifically Reviewed by: Dr. Cogle

Christopher R. Cogle, M.D. is a tenured professor at the University of Florida, Chief Medical Officer of Florida Medicaid, and Director of the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

You can also read this in

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.5 / 5. Vote count: 33

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?