Vitamin Information Center

Long-term supplementation with vitamin E and vitamin C may not prevent cancer, according to data from the Physician’s Health Study II that was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s Seventh Annual International Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 16, 2008.[1]

The role of diet in cancer incidence remains a major focus among researchers, as it is becoming more evident that diet may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers. For example, vitamin D appears to have a protective effect against pancreatic cancer and also colorectal adenomas.[2][3] In addition, several studies have linked vitamin E, selenium, and lycopene with a reduction in prostate cancer. However, it has also been discovered that supplementation with specific vitamins and minerals often does not have the same protective role as obtaining the nutrients from foods. In other words, there is still much to be learned about the role of nutrients in the prevention of cancer.

The Physician’s Health Study II is a large-scale, long-term, randomized clinical trial involving over 14,000 physicians over the age of 50. The physicians were given either a) 400 IU of vitamin E every other day or placebo or b) 500 mg of vitamin C daily or placebo and were then followed for up to 10 years. The primary endpoint of the vitamin C group was the development of cancer. The primary endpoint of the vitamin E group was the development of prostate cancer, with a secondary endpoint being the development of any type of cancer.

After nearly 10 years of supplementation, there was no evidence that vitamin E or vitamin C played a protective role against cancer. Thus far, there have been 1,929 cancer cases in the group, including 1,013 cases of prostate cancer. The researchers concluded that neither vitamin E nor vitamin C offers any beneficial effect against cancer.

Research in this field is ongoing; however, the results from this study indicate that vitamin supplements may not provide the same benefits as vitamins included as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

References:

[1] Buring JE, Sesso HD, Gaziano JM, et al. A randomized factorial trial of vitamins E and C in the prevention of cancer in men: the Physicians’ Health Study II. Proceedings from American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. Abstract #PR-1.

[2] Skinner HG, Michaud DS, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, Colditz GA, Fuchs CS. Vitamin D Intake and the Risk for Pancreatic Cancer in Two Cohort Studies. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. 2006;15:1688-95.

[3] Wei MY, Garland CF, Gorham ED. Vitamin D and prevention of colorectal adenoma: A meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. 2008;17(11):2958-2969.

A new study finds high dose injections of Vitamin C can reduce cancerous tumors by half.

And what’s more — the treatment does not harm healthy cells, meaning
There are fewer difficult side-effects, often experienced with traditional cancer treatments like chemo and radiation.

Go home and die. That’s what doctors told 59 year old Arlindo Olivera.
His lung cancer was so advanced, it had spread to his brain and doctors
Said there was nothing they could do. Today, Arlindo is cancer free.

Arlindo believes his cancer is gone because of Vitamin C treatment.

Dr. Scott Greenberg says he has successfully treated many people with
Vitamin C infusions, including Arlindo.

Some doctors believe Vitamin C treatment works by killing the cancer
cells.

Researchers at the national institutes of health say it may also work as
An anti-oxidant protecting cells from the damage of free radicals.

The national institutes of health study treated mice with aggressive brain, ovarian and pancreatic tumors.
Tumor growth and weight was reduced by 41 to 53 percent and the brain cancer stopped spreading.
Doctor Greenberg says it only works in very high intravenous doses and can be used along with traditional chemo and radiation.
He says it’s a valuable option for those who don’t respond to other treatment.

Arlindo continues to be cancer free.
The treatment is not covered by insurance, but costs considerably less
Than standard chemotherapy or radiation.
It’s about 125 dollars per treatment versus several thousand dollars.

Amongst the thousands of foods available in the supermarket there are 5 foods that help the body defend itself against disease. Whether you eat them as snacks or incorporate them into meals, the nutrients provided in these 5 foods boost health and keep disease at bay.

1. Nuts. Almonds, pecans, cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, coconuts, chestnuts, macadamia nuts and hazelnuts are loaded with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which help fight obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Nuts are also a good source of protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids as well as antioxidants.

According to Health Castle, researchers have found that regular consumption of nuts lowers the risk of heart disease in both men and women. In 2002, the Physician’s Health Study discovered that the risk of death by cardiac failure was significantly lowered in men who ate nuts at least 2 times a week.

2. Coconut Milk. Asian cultures have been using coconuts to stay healthy for generations. Coconut milk helps promote healthy bones and boosts the body’s immune system. The type of fat found in coconut milk is the same type of fat found in human milk which is why it is doesn’t cause why gain.

In studies conducted in the U.S. there has been very little research that claims coconut milk is effective in treating heart disease although many coconut enthusiasts swear it works.

Scientists would like us to have more knowledge on the health benefits of coconut milk but their efforts have been thwarted by the vegetable oil industry. Either way, whether you are eating fresh coconuts, drinking coconut milk or using coconut oil there are good health benefits to be had in coconut

3. Beef. Beef is full of vitamins. B vitamins, zinc and iron are the 3 most common and coincidentally are also the 3 vitamins most people don’t get enough of. The only problem with beef is that we have gone from eating grass-fed beef to grain-fed beef.

Grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed beef and has more CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) which is an anti-cancer fat, as well as omega-3 acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids lower your risk of heart disease and lowers cholesterol. CLAs contain more vitamin A and E which are known to help fight cancer, heart disease, immune diseases and diabetes.

4. Olive Oil. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, phenols and Vitamin E. All of which are good for you skin, hair, nails, heart and nerves. It is also known to help with inflammation.

The Polyphenols found in olive oil are antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer. Proof of the magic of olive oil can be found in those living in European parts of the world where consumption of olive oil is high. These are people with less statistics of cancer than Americans.

5. Cinnamon. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cinnamon helps steady blood sugar, blocks cancers cells and is an anti-inflammatory ingredient. Cinnamon also provides the body with manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

Cinnamon causes blood to rise from the center of the body and brings it up to the skin. This helps with circulation and blood pressure. Circulation is imperative for keeping oxygen flowing throughout the body.

Recent studies have been conducted on diabetics and the results have shown that cinnamon enhances the effects of insulin. These studies have found that one dose of cinnamon twice a day helps lower blood sugar, cholesterol and fight gum disease.

There you have it, 5 foods to help you stay healthy. Eat well, sleep well and feel well.

By: KrSpies
Published: 04/05/08