A cancer dietician has revealed a supposedly healthy habit that could potentially increase your risk of the disease.
Nichole Andrews, a dietitian and nutritionist specializing in oncology, said she had long avoided supplements like vitamin and mineral pills to reduce her risk of cancer.
In one clip, viewed more than a million times on TikTok, she said: “I don’t take any supplements unless my doctor recommends it, I get all my nutrients from food.
“Don’t look for supplements to reduce cancer risk, because in fact, high doses of supplements can increase cancer risk.”
Ms Andrews, 38, who is based in Washington in the US and known as ‘The Oncology Dietician’ on social media, did not name any specific supplements or the cancers they are linked to in the short clip.
However, the NHS warns that supplements containing beta-carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer in some people, such as smokers and those who have been exposed to asbestos.
Beta-carotene is a natural pigment found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes.
The body can convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is good for our immune system, vision and skin health.
Nichole Andrews, a dietitian and nutritionist specializing in oncology, said supplements like vitamin and mineral pills were something she avoided to reduce her risk of cancer. Stock image
However, a study of nearly 30,000 smokers found that those who took beta-carotene supplements had almost a fifth higher risk of cancer than those who did not.
A study of people exposed to asbestos also found that they had a 28 percent higher risk of cancer if they took supplements.
It’s important to note that studies only observed this increased risk in people taking beta-carotene supplements, not in those who consumed it naturally through a healthy diet.
It’s not clear why beta-carotene supplements increase cancer risk.
However, theories suggest it could damage cells at high concentrations or exacerbate the damage caused by cancer-causing chemicals found in substances like tobacco.
Beta-carotene isn’t the only type of supplement linked to increased cancer risk.
A US analysis of another supplement, vitamin E, found that its use led to a 17 percent higher risk of prostate cancer in men.
Vitamin E is found naturally in nuts and seeds and helps maintain healthy skin, eyes and immune systems.
Selenium supplements have been linked to a 130 percent increased risk of death from prostate cancer, although this was a small study of men taking triple the recommended daily dose.
Selenium is a mineral naturally found in fish, meat, eggs and Brazil nuts, and helps the immune system function properly and improve reproductive health.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Some studies have also shown a potential link between iron supplements and an increased risk of bowel cancer due to the mineral causing oxidative damage to cells.
According to NHS guidelines, men should consume around 8.7 mg of iron per day, with women aged 19 to 49 recommending 14.8 mg.
For women over 50, health services recommend 8.7 mg as they have probably stopped menstruating.
Iron tablets sold over the counter in pharmacies for just £2.50 often contain around 14mg per tablet.
Similar relationships between supplements and cancer risk have been found in some studies examining the risks of folate and folic acid, as well as vitamin B12.
The relationship between cancer risk and supplements remains a topic of ongoing research.
However, the general advice is that people should be able to get all the vitamins and minerals their body needs through a healthy, balanced diet.
Despite this, almost half of Brits admit to taking a supplement at least once a month in a bid to achieve optimal health.
People who think they may have a deficiency and therefore may need to take supplements are encouraged to speak to their GP for advice and possible testing.
As part of her message, Ms Andrews wrote: “Think twice before overloading on supplements.
“Some studies suggest that excessive consumption of certain vitamins and minerals may actually increase the risk of cancer and harm healthy cells.”
She also urged people to avoid alcohol and processed meats, which are her other two daily tips to avoid to reduce cancer risk.
Alcohol is a known risk factor for seven types of cancer, including breast, mouth and bowel, and is estimated to cause 3% of all cancers in the UK. United.
Processed meats like bacon — especially the substances they contain called nitrites and nitrates — are also known to be a well-established cause of cancer.
The charity Cancer Research UK estimates that almost one in six bowel cancers diagnosed each year in the UK are caused by eating processed meat.
An estimated 385,000 Britons are told they have cancer every year, and around half of the population will have the disease at some point in their lives.