Cancer Diary: Vitamins and Cancer
Vitamin supplements are the easy-to-obtain, off-the-shelf, magic pills that keep us healthy, right? Well, actually, some vitamins and supplements have been associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer when taken in high doses. Here are a few examples: Vitamin A (Retinoids) : High doses of vitamin A supplements have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. Beta-Carotene : High doses of beta-carotene supplements have been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers. Vitamin E : Some studies suggest that high doses of vitamin E supplements may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Folic Acid : Excessive intake of folic acid supplements may increase the risk of colon cancer. Selenium : High doses of selenium supplements have been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer. It's important to note that these associations are based on studies involving high doses of supplements, not the vitamins obtained from a balanced diet. Always co...