Nutritional Supplements: Any Good Against Cancer?
There’s no pill that can replace eating healthy and staying active.
In a word, no, according to Dr. Suzanne Murphy. Even worse, high doses can increase cancer risk. Read on for more from the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii’s nutrition and supplement expert.
Almost every time I’m asked to give a presentation, people ask, isn’t there something I can take that will protect me from cancer?
Pills can’t replace a healthy diet in reducing the risk of cancer! Both the National Institutes of Health and the World Cancer Research Fund have stated that dietary supplements are not recommended for prevention of cancer.
Some people think that supplements such as vitamins, minerals, goji berries and noni juice are magic potions, yet there’s virtually no scientific evidence for these claims. Dietary supplements are not allowed to make health claims that are not approved by the FDA, and those that say they can prevent or cure cancer are committing the worst kind of medical fraud. Manufacturers of dietary supplements are not allowed to make health claims that are not approved by the FDA, and those that say they can prevent or cure cancer are committing the worst kind of medical fraud.
One concern is that people will think these supplements can replace medical treatment for cancer. Taking a supplement is easier and much less expensive than surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. But the false confidence could prove deadly. In addition, high levels of some supplements can actually reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and maybe also radiation therapy.
Furthermore, there is a tendency to think that more of a supplement will always be better than less: If a little is good for you, why not take a lot? But this can actually be dangerous. Vitamins and minerals are essential for good health, but when taken in massive doses, they become drugs with unexpected effects. Most nutrients have an “upper level” that should not be exceeded in a day, and certainly not in a single dose. Recent studies have shown:
- Beta-carotene in large amounts from pills seems to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers.
- High levels of folic acid from pills may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
- High doses of vitamin E seem to increase overall mortality.
However, it’s hard to get too many nutrients from foods, so that’s another reason that eating a healthy diet is far better than relying on supplements to supply nutrients. A multivitamin that provides about 100 percent of the daily value of a variety of nutrients is not likely to cause any harm, and may be helpful for people who are don’t eat a healthy diet, or who can’t eat certain foods like dairy products.
Every nutrient supplement sold in the U.S. is required to have a “Supplement Facts” label, so it’s easy to see what percent of the daily value is provided in each pill. Avoid those that are several hundred percent of the DV, as they may not be healthy (or even safe). Of course, if you are taking a supplement therapeutically (like iron for anemia or calcium for bone loss), then higher levels may be appropriate. But it’s always good to check with your physician first.
