Vitamin Information Center

Patients turn to alternatives
As many as 61 percent of cancer patients use complementary therapies such as prayer, relaxation, meditation and massage, researchers from the American Cancer Society report.

For the study, published in the Sept. 1 issue of Cancer, researchers collected data on 4,139 cancer survivors. Of these, 61.4 percent of the patients used prayer; 44.3 percent used relaxation techniques; 42.4 percent used faith/spiritual healing; 40.1 percent used nutritional supplements such as vitamins; 15 percent used meditation; 11.2 percent used massage; and 9.7 percent participated in support groups.

On the other hand, only 0.4 percent of the patients used hypnosis; 1 percent used biofeedback therapy; and 1.2 percent used acupressure or acupuncture.

The benefits of these therapies are still unclear, researchers said.

Older neighborhoods good for you
People who live in older neighborhoods appear less likely to be overweight, according to a new study. The key, the researchers say, is walkability. Older communities encourage people to drive less and walk more, they said, because they tend to have better sidewalks, shady trees and businesses nearby to walk to.

The study, which is to appear in the September issue of The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, looked at the fitness and address information of more than 450,000 residents of Salt Lake County in Utah. With each extra decade of a neighborhood’s age, the researchers said, the risk of obesity was 13 percent lower for men and 8 percent lower for women.

Vitamin C used against cancer
New research with mice suggests that intravenous doses of vitamin C could one day reduce the size of cancerous tumors in people. The findings are preliminary and still must be confirmed in humans.

In the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that intravenous vitamin C produced hydrogen peroxide, which reduced cancerous tumors in the mice by 43 percent to 51 percent.

Thousands of people pop vitamin pills every day in the hope of warding off that nasty bug, making themselves look better or even live longer.

But do these “magic” tablets really work?

The jury’s out but some studies suggest they could be a waste of money… and even do us harm.

And with Britons spending £300million a year on vitamin and mineral supplements, it’s a huge industry.

“The problem is that supplements are new, so there isn’t much research into their long-term effects,” says nutrition consultant Ian Marber.

However, there is some evidence of shortterm effects. Last year, Copenhagen University reviewed more than 815 clinical trials of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, betacarotene and the mineral selenium.

And produced some alarming results…

While vitamin C and selenium had no effect on lifespan, supplements of vitamins A, E and beta carotene actually seemed to raise the risk of premature death.

So what must you know?

Cancer danger

Worryingly, some studies have found links between supplements and cancer.

Researchers looking at whether supplements of beta carotene could reduce the risk of lung cancer gathered 18,000 American smokers in the 1990s.

Half were given beta carotene and vitamin A, while the others received a dummy pill.

“But researchers had to make the supplement group stop taking the vitamins two years early because there was a greater incidence of the disease in the group,” says dietitian Catherine Collins.

“A follow-up six years later found the risk continued even after people had stopped taking supplements.”

Last month, another study found that people who took vitamin E supplements - particularly smokers - may be at a 28 per cent increased risk of lung cancer.

But those results are not as clearcut as they first appear. Dr Ann Walker, adviser to the Health Supplements Information Service, says: “People on a lower dose of vitamin E had a lower risk of lung cancer and we don’t know whether those taking the higher doses were already ill.”

And she argues that there is evidence that a multivitamin may reduce cancer risk. “A study in 1997 found that people taking multivitamins were at lower risk of colon cancer,” she says.

But Henry Scowcroft, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, says that although some studies suggest supplements help, many suggest they don’t. Current advice remains that the best way to reduce your risk of getting cancer is by giving up smoking and following a healthy, balanced diet.

Heart help?

So, can supplements reduce the risk of heart disease? “We don’t recommend supplements,” says Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation.

“A 2005 review concluded that as high doses of vitamin E and beta carotene were linked with a higher risk of mortality, they shouldn’t be recommended.

“And the Women’s Health Study in 2005 found no benefits for the heart from taking vitamins A, C and E.

“Overall, there’s no evidence to support taking vitamins. Eating fruit and vegetables has heart benefits but it may be the plant nutrients and fibre that helps - we can’t assume it’s specific vitamins.”

General health

But what about overall well-being - should we take vitamins for immunity?

For most of us, no, says Catherine. “There’s no evidence the general population benefits.

“Our food today is of better quality and with more variety than ever before. There are arguments that poor soil quality from intensive farming means food doesn’t contain all the nutrients but there’s no evidence - if soil was that low quality, a plant wouldn’t grow.”

Pregnancy and childhood

There is solid proof, however, that certain people do benefit from some supplements.

If you’re trying to conceive or are in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the Department of Health recommends 400mcg of folic acid each day, to help prevent birth defects of the spine and brain.

But always take a supplement designed for pregnancy - a standard multivitamin can contain more nutrients than stated on the label, and high doses of vitamin A have been linked with birth defects.

“Young children can also benefit from a multivitamin, especially as we’re so cautious with the sun - we need sunlight to make vitamin D, essential for immunity and healthy bones, and low levels have been linked with conditions including multiple sclerosis,” says Catherine.

“Ensure they have a supplement designed for youngsters.”

SUPPLEMENT SAFETY

If you really want a supplement Catherine Collins suggests a multivitamin and mineral. “Nutrients work together and multivitamins contain them at a safe dose.”

However, don’t think you can survive on junk food topped up with huge doses of individual nutrients.

While excess water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and the B vitamins will just be excreted, the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, are stored in the body and can accumulate. And the longterm effect isn’t known.

And avoid extra supplements on top of your multivitamin. “If you have specific needs, like PMS, look for a formulation designed for your condition,” advises dietitian Nigel Denby.

And if you’re on medication, check with your GP.

Taking high doses of vitamin E supplements could increase the risk of developing lung cancer, according to media reports.

US researchers found that people taking 400mg of vitamin E daily had a 28 per cent higher risk of lung cancer than people who did not take vitamin E supplements. The increased lung cancer risk was found to be most prominent in smokers.

The findings renew concerns over the safety of vitamin supplements and follow previous warnings about similar risks associated with excessive beta-carotene use.

In 2002, a Finnish study found that taking beta-carotene supplements was linked to an 18 per cent increased risk of developing lung cancer.

What is the research?
The reports are based on a US study into whether multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E or folate supplements could reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Researchers mailed health questionnaires to over 350,000 Washington State residents aged 50 to 76 years. It looked at supplement and vitamin use in the past 10 years. It also covered known risk factors for lung cancer such as smoking status, BMI and family history.

A total of 77,719 participants returned the questionnaires and were eligible for the study.

Quantity of vitamin intake was calculated.

Over four years of follow-up, diagnosed cases of lung cancer among participants were monitored using the national cancer register. During the course of the study, 521 participants developed lung cancer, including 42 non-smokers.

Vitamin E intake of 400mg daily for 10 years was associated with a 28 per cent increased risk in non-small cell lung cancer, compared with those who never took vitamin E supplements.

But no increased risk of lung cancer was seen in participants who had taken low or moderate doses of vitamin E or in those who had taken multivitamins, vitamin C or folate.

A possible mechanism for the link between vitamin E and an increased risk of lung cancer is that although vitamin E is considered an antioxidant, it might also act as a pro-oxidant, suggest the researchers.

Pro-oxidants produce oxidative stress that can cause damage to cells and tissue.

What do the researchers say?
Lead researcher Dr Christopher Slatore, from the University of Washington in Seattle, said: ‘In contrast to the often assumed benefits or, at least, lack of harm, supplemental vitamin E was associated with a small increased risk of lung cancer.

‘This is an interesting but not a conclusive link,’ he added. ‘The findings of this study need to be replicated in more human studies before we can come to a firm conclusion.’

Nevertheless, he urged patients to discuss the benefits and harms of vitamin E supplements with their doctor, especially if they smoked.

Further studies are planned that will investigate whether or not vitamin supplements and medications can increase the risk of other cancers such as those of the prostate, breast and colon, added Dr Slatore.

What do other experts say?
Henry Scowcroft, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: ‘The jury is still very much out on whether vitamin and mineral supplements can affect cancer risk.

‘Some studies suggest a benefit, but others show no effect and some, like this one, suggest they may even increase risk.

‘Research repeatedly shows that a healthy, balanced diet can reduce your risk of some cancers while giving you all the vitamins you need.’

Quitting smoking remains the most effective way to avoid many cancers, he said, adding that no diet or vitamin supplement could counteract the toxic effects of cigarettes.