At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting on May 30, Dr. Julie Ryan will present a study showing that ginger supplements significantly reduce nausea induced by the first chemotherapy treatment.

The majority of cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy are given drugs, called 5-HT3 antiemetics, to prevent vomiting and nausea caused by the therapy. Most patients report the most severe nausea on the first day of chemotherapy. Some doctors use spice ginger to treat the symptoms of nausea.

Dr. Julie Ryan and the research team conducted a multi-site, Phase 2/3 randomized, placebo controlled, double blind clinical trial at the University of Rochester Community Clinical Oncology Program to see how well ginger treats nausea that is induced by chemotherapy.

The study found that a dose of one-half to one gram of ginger daily significantly reduced the nausea during the first day of chemotherapy. When asked about the treatment during an interview with The Myeloma Beacon, Dr. Ryan said that, for best results, "ginger must be given before the chemotherapy."

In the study, 644 patients participated, with 66 percent suffering from breast cancer, 6.5 percent alimentary, and 6.1 percent lung cancer. Only patients who experienced nausea following chemotherapy and those who were scheduled to receive three cycles of chemotherapy were included in the study. Ninety percent of the patients were female with the average age of 53.

The patients were randomized into one of four groups: placebo, 0.5 gram ginger, 1.0 gram ginger, or 1.5 gram ginger. All patients were given three 250 milligram capsules of ginger or placebo twice a day. The dose was given for six days starting three days before the second and third cycles.

Specifically, the placebo group was given three 250 milligram pills of placebo two times a day for a total of 1.5 gram placebo. Similarly, the 1.0 gram ginger group was given one 250 milligram placebo with two 250 milligram ginger, twice a day for a total of 1.0 gram ginger.

Additionally, patients took Kytril or Zofran, a class of 5-HT3 antiemetics, on the first day of all chemotherapy cycles in addition to ginger.

Patients reported their sensation of nausea on a seven-point scale for days one to four of each cycle.

According to the researchers' statistics, all doses of ginger reduced nausea significantly. Dr. Ryan found that "the optimal amounts were the lower doses" of 0.5 and one gram of ginger. They also found that there was a significant decrease of nausea after 24 hours of ginger therapy.

While the exact mechanism of how ginger therapy reduces nausea is unknown, Dr. Ryan stated that she and her colleagues “are pretty sure it has to do with the absorption of ginger in the gut. One gram must be the actual amount that can be absorbed...and has been effective in other studies."

While no adverse side effects were reported in the study, patients who take blood thinners should talk to their doctors before taking ginger supplements because ginger can also act as a blood thinner. Moreover, patients should note that ginger was taken in combination with standard medications given for nausea.

For more information about the use of ginger to decrease nausea after chemotherapy, please see abstract 9511 at the ASCO 2009 meeting Web site.