In an exchange between Robert Oppenheimer and scientist Niels Bohr in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning biopic Oppenheimer, Bohr says to the father of the atomic bomb:
This is a very disturbing observation about scientific research and can have unintended consequences.
Of course, this celebrity was referring to the development of weapons capable of destroying humanity, but scientists regularly make surprising discoveries.
A decidedly less existential but still alarming insight emerged about 30 years ago.
This study grew out of the initial observation that people who eat more fruits and vegetables tend to be less likely to get cancer.
Researchers wanted to see if extra vitamins and minerals could further reduce cancer risk.
“When we first tested the nutritional supplement in animal models, we found the results to be promising,” said Tim Byers, a former researcher at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
“Ultimately, we were able to proceed to the human population. We studied thousands of patients taking dietary supplements and placebos for 10 years.”
The results were not what they expected.
“We found that the supplements were not actually beneficial to their health. In fact, some people actually had more cancer while taking the vitamins,” Dr. Byers explained. .
One study investigating the effects of beta-carotene supplements showed that taking more than the recommended dose increased the risk of developing both lung cancer and heart disease by 20 percent.
Folic acid was thought to help reduce the number of polyps in the colon, but in another trial it actually increased their number.
“I’m not saying you need to be afraid of taking vitamins and minerals,” Dr. Byers points out.
“If taken in the right doses, multivitamins can be good for you. But there’s no substitute for good, nutritious food.”
Beta-carotene supplements are associated with increased risk of developing both lung cancers
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The cancer researcher said that while people can get the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals by eating a healthy diet, many adults who take vitamin supplements may not need them. It is said that there is a sex.
“Ultimately, it turns out that overdosing on vitamins and minerals can do more harm than good,” Dr. Byers warned.
He is not alone in making this assessment. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) analyzed global research on how certain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients affect the risk of developing cancer.
WCRF found “strong evidence” that beta-carotene supplements increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers or former smokers.
Francisco Contreras, chief oncologist at Oasis of Hope Hospital, feels this conclusion is somewhat “exaggerated,” although the study only considered the effects of beta-carotene in smokers. , told GB News that other subgroups and other phytochemicals were not considered. .
Beta-carotene belongs to a group of colored pigments called carotenoids. It is converted into vitamin A in the body and is found in many fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin A can be toxic in large doses, so it is dangerous to take it as a supplement.
How much is too much?
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) advises against taking more than 7mg of beta-carotene supplements per day unless directed by a doctor.
While this link is concerning, WCRF is keen to dispel alarm.
A WCRF spokesperson told GB News: “It should be emphasized that while there is evidence that taking certain supplements increases the risk of cancer in certain circumstances, this is only in a narrow sense. ” he said.
They go on to say, “In general, it is best to prevent cancer by eating a healthy diet rather than relying on dietary supplements. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends that supplements not be used to prevent cancer. That’s why we recommend it.”
Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased prostate cancer risk in large study
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Beta-carotene isn’t the only nutritional supplement that raises alarm bells.
Results from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) were set to determine whether one or both of these substances, taken as a dietary supplement, could help prevent prostate cancer. , suggested vitamin E supplementation in the general population of healthy men. The risk of prostate cancer has increased significantly.
SELECT is the first study to report an increased risk of prostate cancer with vitamin E supplementation.
This finding surprised researchers who wanted to see if one or both of these substances, taken as a dietary supplement, could help prevent prostate cancer.
Following the results of this study, the Food Standards Agency consulted the Carcinogenicity Committee (COC) on the current literature on vitamin E and prostate cancer, with emphasis on the SELECT study.
The COC assesses the potential human carcinogenicity of chemicals at the request of UK government departments.
The committee noted evidence that vitamin E can act as both an antioxidant and a prooxidant, depending on the dose. Therefore, high doses of vitamin E may increase cancer risk.
However, the committee acknowledged that aspects of the study design made the conclusions “unreliable.”
Members felt that many important confounders, such as obesity, genetic variation, and other dietary factors, were not adequately addressed in the SELECT study.
Despite this, the DHSC advises that most people get all the vitamin E they need through a healthy, balanced diet.
Taking less than 540 mg (800 IU) of vitamin E supplements per day is unlikely to cause harm.
Vitamin E acts as both an antioxidant and a pro-oxidant, depending on the dose.
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Is disaster looming?
Fast forward to 2024, and there appears to be growing concern about the link between dietary supplements and cancer.
“Recent evidence suggests that supplements containing compounds and micronutrients may increase the risk of some cancers and overall mortality,” says Sean Marchese of the Mesothelioma Center he told GB News.
The nurse, who has worked in oncology clinical trials for decades, said the recent increase in use was “concerning.”
In fact, the supplement industry is predicted to double its current market size of £40 billion by 2032, despite not receiving the same amount of regulatory oversight as the pharmaceutical industry.
“It is essential to consider the risks of frequent or large doses,” health experts warned.
While dietary supplements can be a convenient source of essential micronutrients, it is important to be aware of the “influence of marketing tactics,” he said, adding that “these tactics often lead to multiple unnecessary nutritional supplements.” “It may lead to overdosage and potential health risks,” it added.
A 2024 study showed that taking several types of supplements over many years increases the incidence of cancer.
Researchers have found that excessive intake of vitamin A increases the risk of lung and prostate cancer.
They also found that B vitamins were associated with increased rates of colon, lung, and prostate cancer.
Zinc, selenium, and omega-3s have also been linked to an increase in prostate cancer.
The researchers acknowledge that correlation is not the same as causation, and more research is needed to confirm the link between supplements and cancer risk.
Notes
It is important to stress that this study primarily refers to overfeeding, and some people may need nutritional supplements if their levels of certain nutrients are low.
For example, “your doctor may prescribe calcium and vitamin D to protect your bones,” notes Cancer Research UK.
When taking supplements, “always follow NHS guidelines or the advice of your healthcare professional,” advises Dr Eamonn Laird, Lecturer in Nutrition at ATU Sligo and Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin.
Similarly, Carolina Gonçalves, Managing Pharmacist at Farmica, always follows the recommended daily intake of each vitamin supplement listed on the bottle and pre-registers it to confirm potential effects. We recommend that you consult your pharmacist or doctor.
Some people may need to take dietary supplements if they have low levels of certain nutrients.
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There is no substitute for a healthy lifestyle
As Cancer Research UK rightly points out, eating a healthy, balanced diet is the best way to reduce your risk of cancer.
This is partly because of the diet itself, but mainly because it helps you maintain a healthy weight or even lose weight.
A healthy diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains like brown rice or brown rice pasta, and healthy protein sources like beans and chicken. Reduce processed and red meat, and foods high in sugar, fat, and salt.
In addition to an active lifestyle, a healthy diet may even improve cancer patients’ chances of overall survival, according to recent research.
