Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, often referred to as “chemo brain”, is a common side effect among our patients and can remain a long-term concern into survivorship. Managing chemo brain can be a challenge, however a recent positive study highlights the preventative role probiotics can play in reducing its incidence.

 

In a 2019 study, patients with Stage I-III breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either probiotics or placebo throughout their treatment. Cognition, anxiety, and depression were all assessed using objective measures. In the end, they found significantly lower rates of cognitive impairment and improved overall cognitive function in the group taking probiotics compared to the placebo. Through their investigations, the authors proposed this was likely due to a shift observed in the gut microbiome and the positive by-products of these changes, called metabolites.

 

Although this study included patients with breast cancer, the findings can be meaningful for anyone undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing changes in memory, thinking, sharpness and mental fatigue. Aside from probiotics, two simple ways to benefit our gut microbiomes are to maintain diets higher in fibre and incorporate more naturally fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, tempeh, and miso. In general, we recommend aiming for at least 30 grams of fibre per day, which most Canadians are only about reaching half of. If you are interested in trying a probiotic supplement, we recommend speaking with a naturopathic doctor so we can choose the best one for you. 

Author: Dr. Nadine Kexel, CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre Resident