Chemotherapy is used primarily to treat people with cancer, although certain chemotherapy drugs have other functions.

Many chemotherapy drugs can cause diarrhea, lack of appetite, vomiting, and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. It makes sense for people undergoing chemotherapy to take a high-potency multivitamin/mineral, to protect against deficiencies.

Often, people who undergo chemotherapy develop aversions to certain foods, sometimes making it permanently difficult to eat those foods. Exposing people to what researchers have called a “scapegoat stimulus” just before the administration of chemotherapy can direct the food aversion to the “scapegoat” food instead of more important parts of the diet. In one trial, fruit drinks administered just before chemotherapy were most effective in protecting against aversions to other foods. [Nutr Cancer 1994;21: pp.13-24]