Can vitamin C prevent cancer? And what about anti-aging supplements? According to numerous advertisements and reviews on the web, our good health comes mainly from the way we nourish our body, thanks to some supplements to avoid deficiencies. However, this is not the opinion of Nichole Andrews, 38, a registered dietitian-nutritionist based in Washington and specializing in oncology. According to her, by overdoing it and abusing vitamins, we could expose ourselves to greater risks.
Vitamins that become toxic at high doses
In an Instagram video for her 316,000 subscribers, the young person explained that high doses of certain vitamins can transform into harmful molecules called free radicals, which can trigger a cascade of cellular damage… leading to cancer.
“Unfortunately, cancer survivors fall prey to many people selling supplements. They try to get you to take them by claiming it is a way to detoxify your body and reduce cancer.”
But in high doses, these micronutrients actually turn out to be toxic to the body. “Supplements do not reduce the risk of cancer, they may even increase it to very high levels.” she continues.
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A post shared by Nichole Andrews, RDN | The Oncology Dietitian (@oncology.nutrition.rd)
These food supplements which are in fact false friends
Several studies, noted by the DailyMayl, also echo his concerns.
Vitamins C and E
Thus a 2023 study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation suggested that antioxidants such as vitamins C and E may actually help tumors grow. However, these two nutrients play an essential role: vitamin C is important for wound healing and the health of skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage; and vitamin E for eye health and immunity.
But while these vitamins are not a problem when consumed at the levels found in food, consuming more than your body needs through supplements could promote the development of cancer. According to the study, high-dose vitamins stimulate a protein in the body that helps increase blood supply to tumors, helping them grow.
Beta-carotene
Another 2015 study by experts at the University of Colorado found that people who took supplemental vitamins and minerals were more likely to have health problems. One vitamin in particular, beta-carotene — a supplement touted as an immune system booster — increased the risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease by up to 20%. Beyond 7 mg per day, the vitamin can be dangerous and increase the risk of lung cancer in people who smoke
Vitamin B3
Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3 presented as having anti-aging effects and being able to reduce high cholesterol and blood pressure, is also incriminated. According to a University of Missouri-Columbia study on mice, NR increases the risk of breast cancer and causes the disease to spread to the brain, which is fatal.
Complement is converted by the body into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), an enzyme essential for providing energy to cells. But cancer cells can also feed on this energy.
Supplements are with your doctor!
In 2019, one of the UK’s top pharmacists and former government adviser launched a scathing attack on dietary supplements, declaring them “untested and with unproven claims”.
Dr Paul Clayton, clinical pharmacologist, declared at the time: “These products are sold by companies who don’t really know what they’re selling, and are bought by customers who don’t really know what they’re buying.”
For the dietitian, a simple rule remains to follow, to avoid these unnecessary risks: “Do not take supplements unless you have a true deficiency that your doctor can demonstrate and prove by laboratory results.’