This dietary supplement may improve survival and your response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, notably among people with colon cancer.
Safety and precautions
Because FWGE may have estrogen-receptor activity, people with an estrogen-dependent cancer (some breast, ovarian or uterine cancers) should consult a licensed provider who is knowledgeable and experienced with using FWGE in such cancers.
Interactions with cancer treatments
Studies have not found any concerns about using FWGE during chemotherapy. In animal studies, FWGE did not increase toxicity or decrease antiproliferative activity of dacarbazine, 5-fluorouracyl, adriblastina, endoxan, navelbine, or doxorubicin.1Szende B, Marcsek Z, Kocsis Z, Tompa A. Effect of simultaneous administration of Avemar and cytostatic drugs on viability of cell cultures, growth of experimental tumors, and survival tumor-bearing mice. Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals. 2004 Jun;19(3):343-9.
Side effects or adverse events
FWGE appears to be safe. Toxicology studies in animals have found that “dose levels (2000 to 3000 mg/kg body weight [bw]/day) exceeding the normal recommended oral dosage (8.5 g/day or 121 mg/kg bw/day for a 70-kg individual) by up to approximately 25-fold caused no adverse effects.”2Heimbach JT, Sebestyen G, Semjen G, Kennepohl E. Safety studies regarding a standardized extract of fermented wheat germ. International Journal of Toxicology. 2007 May-Jun;26(3):253-9. Some studies have found mild gastrointestinal side effects from use.3Farkas E. Szupportív kezelés fermentált búzacsíra-kivonattal colorectalis carcinomában [Fermented wheat germ extract in the supportive therapy of colorectal cancer]. Orvosi Hetilap. 2005 Sep 11;146(37):1925-31.
Do not use (contraindications)
FWGE is not recommended for use by pregnant and nursing women, people with sensitivity to gluten, those with fructose intolerance, or people with organ or tissue transplants.
References