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What you
should know about Nutritional Supplements in
‘reducing’ Cancer Risks
Newswise, August 2010 — Men and women should
educate themselves and use caution before
taking nutritional supplements to reduce
their cancer risks, according to experts at
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“Researchers are still unsure about whether
or not minerals, herbs and other plants
taken in pill, capsule, tablet or liquid
form actually prevent cancer,” said Sally
Scroggs, health education manager at UT MD
Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Center.
Results from the Women's
Health Study and The
Physicians' Health Study II found
that vitamins E and C do not prevent cancer.
The Selenium
and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trialshowed
similar results, suggesting these
supplements didn’t help prevent prostate
cancer.
Other studies have suggested that
supplements may actually increase cancer
risk by tilting
the balance of
nutrients in the body.
“If you eat lots of vegetables, fruits,
whole grains and beans, you should get the
nutrients, including fiber, vitamins and
minerals, your body needs to lower your
chances of getting diseases like cancer,”
Scroggs said. “Taking a pill can’t replace a
healthy diet.”
Scroggs recommends that men and women fill
their diet with foods packed with cancer-fighting
nutrients such
as beta-carotene, selenium, lycopene,
resveratol, and vitamins A, C, and E.
Supplements may benefit some
More research is necessary to truly
understand the relationship between
supplements and cancer risk. Still, Scroggs
said, there are some situations when a
person might benefit from taking a
supplement. This is especially true for men
and women who are not getting enough
nutrients because of food allergies,
genetics or chronic illnesses.
Here are a few examples of when supplements
may be appropriate:
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• People at risk for vitamin D deficiency
• People at risk for osteoporosis
• People at risk for B-12 deficiency,
including:
o People age 50 or older
o Vegans who consume no animal foods
Get professional advice
Scroggs advises men and women to speak with
a doctor or registered dietician before
adding supplements to their diet. “Your
doctor or dietician can determine which
pills you really need and what dose you
should take,” Scroggs said.
“Keep in mind there’s no vitamin or
supplement that’s good for everyone.”
A registered dietician also can also provide
advice about what to look for on supplement
labels. This is important because some
supplement labels can be confusing or
misleading. Many companies claim their pills
can cure cancer when, in fact, they don’t,
according to a recent Congressional
study.
“Remember, supplements are just that —
supplements,” Scroggs said. “Even if your
doctor recommends them, your top priority
should be getting the nutrients you need
from the food you eat.”
For more information on maintaining a
healthy mind and body, visit www.mdanderson.org/focused.
