Do vitamin supplements cause cancer?

Vitamins. Minerals. For decades, Each has been symbolic, almost iconic, with good health and vitality. Throw in herbal supplements, and you realize mankind has turned to natural remedies for thousands of years. You certainly wouldn't think to link these natural treatments with cancer.

But these days, it seems that for every study that touts a benefit of vitamin, mineral or herb supplements, another suggests a detrimental effect.Take this headline reported last month (Feb. 2008) by BBC News: "Vitamin E linked to lung cancer." A similar study in Finland in 2002 reported an increased cancer risk with beta carotene.

Could it be true? Vitamins, a product of nature, cancer-causing? The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer patients avoid the use of supplements. Don't believe it, not for a second. Instead, take a closer look at the studies. While it's not feasible to examine every study ever done on the subject, there are a few common threads from some of the more recent studies that bring up issues worth considering:

• Food is a better source for vitamins and minerals. No argument. Supplements, by themselves are not enough to bring vital health. However, studies have shown us that because of pesticides, soil erosion, pollution and other issues, many fruits and vegetables have been stripped of some of the vitamins and minerals they once had. That's where supplements come in; they should be used alongside a healthy diet. That's why they are called supplements. The Vitamin E study had an impressive sample -- it looked at 77,000 people ages 50 to 76 and looked at their daily use of Vitamin C, folic acid and Vitamin E over a four-year period. During that time, 521 people developed lung cancer and taking 400 mg a day long term of Vitamin E increased the likelihood of that happening by 28 percent, according to the study. Neither Vitamin C or folic acid had an effect on lung cancer. Smoking, family history and age were all factors in whether cancer developed. Of the 77,000 people looked at in the Vitamin E study, what kind of diet did these people eat? Did they eat a lot of fried and processed foods, the kinds of which that contribute to poor health?
• Not all supplements are created equal. "It's important to keep in mind that there is a major difference between natural whole-food supplements and pharmaceutical grade, synthetic vitamins and minerals," Dr. Joseph Mercola, a Chicago doctor who focuses on natural treatments for his patients, said in his newsletter. "That said, there's little doubt in my mind that most studies trying to scare you into thinking that taking vitamins and mineral supplements will kill you faster than any drug will, is based on the use of synthetic supplements, in combination with strong financial interests," he said. "Conventional cancer treatment represents a multi-billion dollar a year industry. These vast profits are fiercely protected by the industry giants, and it's already been proven, over and over again, that financial ties can radically color the outcome of any study."
• What factor do cancer treatments play? Conventional cancer treatments -- chemotherapy and radiation -- are designed to kill rapidly dividing cells. They do not discriminate; healthy and cancerous cells alike are wiped out when these treatments are used. Healthy cells wiped out by chemotherapy include those in hair follicles, bone marrow, digestive system and reproductive system.

The bottom line is that preventing cancer is far easier than treating it. When it comes to prevention, some supplements have received far more favorable attention, and positive study results.

Supplements found to be helpful in reducing your risk of contracting a variety of different cancers, include:

• Selenium against lung, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancer
• Vitamin E against prostate cancer
• Vegetable fiber against prostate cancer

• Calcium against colon cancer
• B6 against colorectal cancer

Again, prevention is the key, and taking vitamins and mineral supplements will have little effect for those eating a poor diet. Reduce your consumption of processed foods, sugar and grains. Grains tend to rapidly break down and drive insulin and leptin levels up, which is the last thing you need to have happening if you are seeking to resolve a cancer. Regular exercise is also important.Exercise also helps bring insulin levels down. Sunlight exposure helps normalize Vitamin D and Vitamin A levels. Supplements for these important nutrients should be considered if you live in an area that doesn't get a lot of sun. Getting a good night's sleep is also vital.