Several natural approaches are being studied for their potential to support pancreatic cancer treatment.

Eating well can help support energy levels, reduce fatigue, and maintain strength during treatment.

Eat Frequent, Small Meals: To help boost energy and prevent weight loss, eat six to eight small, balanced meals at regular times each day. Don’t wait until you’re hungry.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water, electrolyte beverages, and broth to maintain hydration.
Limit Sugar and Fat: To keep blood sugar stable, avoid sugary foods and drinks, and pair carbohydrates with healthy proteins such as fish, poultry, lean meats, or beans. Also limit high-fat foods, which can strain the pancreas.
Avoid High-Temperature Cooking: Cooking methods such as stir-frying and deep-frying can produce compounds linked to cancer risk. Choose baking, steaming, or poaching instead.
Intermittent Fasting: Some lab studies suggest that fasting can make pancreatic cancer cells absorb more of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine by increasing levels of a transport protein, improving treatment effectiveness. In lab models, combining fasting with gemcitabine reduced tumor growth by more than 40 percent. However, most patients benefit from eating small, frequent meals to maintain weight and manage side effects. Fasting should only be done under medical supervision.

Some vitamins and plant compounds may support nutrition and enhance treatment effects, but they should always be discussed with a doctor before use.

Vitamins: People with pancreatic cancer are at an increased risk of deficiencies in water-soluble vitamins—especially vitamins B1, B3, and B6—as well as fat-soluble vitamins. Therefore, supplementation of these vitamins is recommended under medical guidance.
Flavonoids: These bioactive plant-based compounds influence multiple cellular pathways, including cell growth, stress response, and programmed cell death. They may help increase chemotherapy effectiveness, inhibit tumor blood vessel growth, and support immune balance. Promising flavonoids include epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), apigenin, baicalein, isoliquiritigenin, wogonin, and silibinin.

Gentle physical activity can help maintain strength, mobility, and mood.

Pancreatic Cancer: A Silent and Deadly Cancer–Signs to Watch For