According to the latest research, if we want to age optimally and reduce our risk of cancer we need to exercise regularly and eat a nutritious, balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruit (1). That sounds sensible, and is what we're already striving to do. But what else?! For instance, all those supplements and "super foods" we hear about - should we be stocking up on those too?
In recent years there have been a flood of claims about the cancer prevention benefits of various vitamin and mineral supplements such as selenium, calcium, vitamins A, C and D, and various concentrated combinations of "natural ingredients". Apparently they'll help you drop weight effortlessly and reverse aging - in addition to preventing cancer!
No doubt the messages are exaggerated, but is it all just hype? Should we take supplements anyway, on the off chance there's some benefit? Is there any harm in taking them? Fortunately for us, scientific and medical research teams have been working to answer such questions.
What the research tells us
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to good health and can help combat cancer and other diseases (1) - but don't plan on getting them in pill form. So far, the research conducted to date has shown little to no cancer fighting benefits from taking mineral, vitamin and other dietary supplements (2-6).
A few trials showed a slight benefit of certain nutritional combinations in helping prevent prostate cancer (7). But until further research proves otherwise, there is not enough evidence to justify spending money on supplements. In fact, there is evidence that dietary supplements can do more harm than good (3;6) - as in the case of beta carotene which has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer in some people (3).
Instead, reduce your risk of cancer by focusing on evidence-based nutrition strategies: eating at least five servings/2.5 cups of vegetables and fruits a day, getting adequate fibre, and limiting red and processed meats (1). Ready to get started? Skip the drug store and stock up in the produce aisle of the grocery store or at your local farmers' market!
