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Multivitamin prostate warning | Multivitamin prostate warning |
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Taking lots of multivitamins may increase the risk of deadly prostate cancer, say US researchers. | Taking lots of multivitamins may increase the risk of deadly prostate cancer, say US researchers. |
Their study showed taking multivitamins more than seven times a week was associated with an increased risk of advanced and fatal prostate cancer. | |
There was no link with early cancer or localised prostate cancer, the researchers wrote in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. | There was no link with early cancer or localised prostate cancer, the researchers wrote in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. |
Experts advised men to eat a healthy diet to reduce their risk of cancer. | Experts advised men to eat a healthy diet to reduce their risk of cancer. |
The findings, based on data on nearly 300,000 men, indicated the risk of advanced prostate cancer is 32% higher in men who take multivitamins more than once a day compared with those who do not take them at all. | |
Risk of fatal prostate cancer was almost double. | Risk of fatal prostate cancer was almost double. |
It's still not entirely clear what factors can affect a man's risk of developing prostate cancer Liz Baker, Cancer Research UK | It's still not entirely clear what factors can affect a man's risk of developing prostate cancer Liz Baker, Cancer Research UK |
The correlation was strongest for men with a family history of the disease, and who also took selenium, beta-carotene or zinc supplements. | The correlation was strongest for men with a family history of the disease, and who also took selenium, beta-carotene or zinc supplements. |
It is unclear why the multivitamins may increase the risk of certain types of prostate cancer. | It is unclear why the multivitamins may increase the risk of certain types of prostate cancer. |
Study leader Dr Karla Lawson from the US National Cancer Institute said: "The possibility that men taking high levels of multivitamins along with other supplements have increased risk of advanced and fatal prostate cancers is of concern and merits further evaluation." | Study leader Dr Karla Lawson from the US National Cancer Institute said: "The possibility that men taking high levels of multivitamins along with other supplements have increased risk of advanced and fatal prostate cancers is of concern and merits further evaluation." |
Because multivitamins contain so many different components and men taking a lot of them were more likely to be taking other supplements, the researchers were unable to tease out what was causing the association. | Because multivitamins contain so many different components and men taking a lot of them were more likely to be taking other supplements, the researchers were unable to tease out what was causing the association. |
In an accompanying editorial, European researchers said a high intake of fruit and vegetables has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. | In an accompanying editorial, European researchers said a high intake of fruit and vegetables has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. |
But it is not clear which nutrients have a positive effect. | But it is not clear which nutrients have a positive effect. |
Antioxidants | Antioxidants |
There has been a lot of research into antioxidants such as vitamin C and E because it is believed they may protect cells against damage. | There has been a lot of research into antioxidants such as vitamin C and E because it is believed they may protect cells against damage. |
However, some analyses have suggested that beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E supplements may shorten life rather than extend it. | However, some analyses have suggested that beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E supplements may shorten life rather than extend it. |
The amounts of antioxidants needed to offer any potential protection are not known and may differ between individuals. | The amounts of antioxidants needed to offer any potential protection are not known and may differ between individuals. |
Liz Baker, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "It's still not entirely clear what factors can affect a man's risk of developing prostate cancer. | Liz Baker, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "It's still not entirely clear what factors can affect a man's risk of developing prostate cancer. |
"And there is conflicting evidence on the pros and cons of vitamin supplements. | "And there is conflicting evidence on the pros and cons of vitamin supplements. |
"These products don't seem to give us the same benefits as vitamins that naturally occur in our food. | "These products don't seem to give us the same benefits as vitamins that naturally occur in our food. |
"We encourage people wanting to reduce their risk of cancer to eat a diet rich in fibre, vegetables and fruit, and low in red and processed meat." | "We encourage people wanting to reduce their risk of cancer to eat a diet rich in fibre, vegetables and fruit, and low in red and processed meat." |
Georgia Diebel, a specialist nurse at the Prostate Cancer Charity said: "With all vitamins, we recommend that men do not exceed the daily recommended dose stated on the bottle. | |
"People often think of them as something 'natural' and do not understand that they still have to be metabolised and used by the body - a study like this suggests they are not safe in larger quantities." | |
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. It kills one man every hour in the UK. | Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. It kills one man every hour in the UK. |