A cancer dietitian has revealed the supposedly healthy habit that could potentially increase the risk of contracting the disease.
Nichole Andrews, a registered dietitian and nutritionist specializing in oncology, said she has long avoided supplements like vitamin and mineral pills to reduce her risk of cancer.
In a clip, viewed more than 1 million times on TikTok, he said: “I don’t take any supplements unless my doctor recommends it, I get all my nutrients from food.”
“Don’t look to supplements to reduce cancer risk because, in fact, high doses of supplements can increase cancer risk.”
Ms Andrews, 38, who is based in Washington, US and uses the social media alias ‘The Oncology Dietician’, 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, such as carrots and sweet potatoes.
The body can convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is good for our immune system, vision, and keeping skin healthy.
Nichole Andrews, a registered dietitian and nutritionist specializing in oncology, said supplements like vitamin and mineral pills were something she avoided to reduce her cancer risk. 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 increased risk of cancer if they took supplements.
Crucially, the studies only observed this increased risk among people who took beta-carotene supplements, not among those who consumed it naturally through a healthy diet.
Exactly why beta-carotene supplements increase cancer risk is unknown.
However, theories suggest that it may damage cells at high concentrations or could be exacerbating the damage caused by carcinogenic chemicals in substances such as tobacco.
Beta-carotene is not the only type of supplement linked to an increased risk of cancer.
A US analysis of another supplement, vitamin E, found that its use increased the risk of prostate cancer in men by 17 percent.
Vitamin E is found naturally in nuts and seeds and helps keep your skin, eyes, and immune system healthy.
Selenium supplements have been linked to a 130 percent increase in the risk of death from prostate cancer, although this was a small study in men who took triple the recommended daily dose.
Selenium is a mineral found naturally in fish, meat, eggs, and Brazil nuts, and it helps the immune system function properly and improve reproductive health.
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Some studies have also shown a potential link between iron supplements and an increased risk of bowel cancer because the mineral causes oxidative damage to cells.
According to NHS guidelines, men should consume approximately 8.7 mg of iron per day and women aged 19 to 49 recommend 14.8 mg.
For women over 50, the health service recommends 8.7 mg, as they are likely to have stopped having their period.
Iron tablets sold over the counter in pharmacies for as little as £2.50 usually contain around 14mg per tablet.
In some studies examining the risks of folate and folic acid, as well as vitamin B12, similar associations have been found with supplements and cancer risk.
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 to achieve optimal health.
People who believe they have a deficiency and therefore need to take supplements are advised to speak to their GP for advice and possible testing.
As part of her post, Ms Andrews wrote: ‘Think twice before overloading yourself with supplements.
“Some studies suggest that excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals may actually increase the risk of cancer and damage healthy cells.”
He also urged people to avoid alcohol and processed meats as his other two tips on things to avoid on a daily basis to reduce the risk of cancer.
Alcohol is a known risk factor for seven types of cancer, including breast, mouth and bowel, and is estimated to cause 3 per cent of all cancers in the UK.
Processed meats like bacon, specifically the substances they contain called nitrites and nitrates, are also known to be a well-established cause of cancer.
Cancer charity Cancer Research UK estimates that almost one in six of the 45,000 bowel cancers diagnosed in the UK each year were caused by eating processed meat.
An estimated 385,000 Britons are told they have cancer each year and it is estimated that around half the population will contract the disease at some point in their lives.