As of: March 29, 2024, 8:10 a.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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Vitamins can fundamentally reduce the risk of cancer. But the German Cancer Society warns against additional intake of dietary supplements.
Many people strive to nourish their bodies in the best possible way by providing themselves with healthy vitamins and minerals - and some people therefore turn to dietary supplements and vitamin preparations. Nevertheless, more and more experts are calling for caution when it comes to taking high doses of ACE vitamins and multivitamin preparations. Many over-the-counter vitamin supplements do not provide significant benefits, studies show. It has even been shown that the risk of cancer, particularly of the lungs, is increased, according to the
German Cancer Research Center
.
What influence vitamins have on the development of diseases
Studies show that taking vitamin A, vitamin B6 and B12 can increase the risk of lung cancer. © Zoonar.com/Ziga Plahutar/Imago
Meanwhile, various studies, such as a study from the
Journal of Clinical Investigation
, indicate that the risk of developing a malignant tumor in the lungs can be increased by taking additional vitamins.
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Vitamins in fruits and vegetables generally reduce the risk of cancer
It is important to know that vitamins are important for preventing cancer. Vitamins that are normally consumed through the diet generally do not pose an increased risk of cancer, according to the
German Cancer Research Center
. In fact, it even reduces the risk of cancer. However, some high-dose vitamin supplements that are added to the body can pose a risk of developing cancer.
The studies show in particular a connection between an increased risk of lung cancer and the effects of the following vitamins:
Vitamin A and beta-carotene:
Especially people who are already in the risk group for developing lung cancer - for example smokers or people who work with asbestos - show an additional increased risk by taking dietary supplements with vitamin A and beta-carotene.
Vitamin B6 and B12:
It was found that men who took high doses of vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 over a long period of time had an increased risk of lung cancer. This risk was not observed in women.
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A clear connection between additional intake of vitamin C and lung cancer has not yet been sufficiently proven. Experts say more studies are needed to verify this connection. However, there is already evidence from research that high doses of vitamin C supplements - especially in women - could increase the risk of lung cancer.
While some vitamins are suspected of increasing the risk of cancer, studies show that taking vitamin D, for example, can be helpful in preventing or delaying dementia.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.