Supplements May Not Cut Cancer Risk

With apologies to the Four Tops, it is the same old song....

Supplements May Not Cut Cancer Risk:

"For the second time in two months, new research shows no signs of cancer prevention from taking certain vitamin supplements.

In November, scientists noted no cancer benefits in male doctors assigned to take vitamin C or vitamin E pills. Now, other researchers report similar results in women at high risk of heart disease who took vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene supplements.

The new study 'provides little or no evidence that such vitamin supplementation as tested offers any measurable preventive impact on cancer in women,' states an editorial published with the study in the Jan. 7, 2009, edition of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute."

As I have said before, I am really not sure what to make of all of these studies. The preponderance of recent evidence suggests that vitamin supplementation has little benefit. BUT how can we throw away earlier evidence? That said, maintain that eating fruits and vegetables appears (at least for now) to be the best advice we can get.