Fish oil and protein shake may fight chemo muscle loss

NCT ID NCT01871350

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 24, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a daily drink containing milk protein, carbohydrates, and fish oil could help cancer patients on chemotherapy maintain muscle and gut function. Researchers enrolled 31 people with cancer and compared them to healthy controls. The goal was to see if the supplement could reduce weight loss and muscle wasting, common side effects of chemo.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Texas A&M University

    College Station, Texas, 77843, United States

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

milk protein, carbohydrate, and fish oil supplement

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple nutritional drink that helps cancer patients keep muscle and strength during chemotherapy.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study with only 31 people, so results may not apply to everyone. Past studies on fish oil for weight loss in cancer have been inconclusive.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.