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Vitamin Supplements May Increase Cancer Risk
Vitamin Supplements May Increase Cancer Risk
October 01, 2004
A new analysis of previously published studies indicates vitamin supplements (antioxidant supplements) are not effective in protecting against stomach cancer and the researchers warn that they may in fact increase the risk of developing cancer.
The researchers reviewed 14 trials involving more than 170,000 people and found that vitamin supplements like vitamin A, C, E, provided no protection against a variety of cancers, including , stomach, colorectal, and liver cancer.
“We could not find evidence that antioxidant supplements can prevent gastrointestinal cancers; on the contrary, they seem to increase overall mortality," said lead study author, Dr. Goran Bjelakovic in a statement.
However, the researchers found selenium, an essential dietary mineral may be associated with a reduced risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
Among people in the trials taking antioxidants, they found a 6 percent increase in mortality compared to people taking a placebo. They also found a combination of beta-carotene and vitamin A or vitamin E increased the risk of premature death by 30 percent, and 10 percent respectively.
However, the researchers warn their study should only be viewed as preliminary, and as such, it does not provide "convincing proof of hazard".
The findings of the European researchers appears in the journal
October 01, 2004
A new analysis of previously published studies indicates vitamin supplements (antioxidant supplements) are not effective in protecting against stomach cancer and the researchers warn that they may in fact increase the risk of developing cancer.
The researchers reviewed 14 trials involving more than 170,000 people and found that vitamin supplements like vitamin A, C, E, provided no protection against a variety of cancers, including , stomach, colorectal, and liver cancer.
“We could not find evidence that antioxidant supplements can prevent gastrointestinal cancers; on the contrary, they seem to increase overall mortality," said lead study author, Dr. Goran Bjelakovic in a statement.
However, the researchers found selenium, an essential dietary mineral may be associated with a reduced risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
Among people in the trials taking antioxidants, they found a 6 percent increase in mortality compared to people taking a placebo. They also found a combination of beta-carotene and vitamin A or vitamin E increased the risk of premature death by 30 percent, and 10 percent respectively.
However, the researchers warn their study should only be viewed as preliminary, and as such, it does not provide "convincing proof of hazard".
The findings of the European researchers appears in the journal
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