A Common Nutritional Supplement Can Cause Cancer and Heart Damage

By MDGRPHCS/Shutterstock

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued recommendations against the use of two nutritional supplements to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. They are beta-carotene and vitamin E. Specifically, beta-carotene even has the risk of causing cancer. This guide has caused a stir. Is it a waste of money and harmful to buy health supplements?

No Benefit in Taking Beta-Carotene or Vitamin E Supplements

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are leading causes of death in many countries, and inflammation and oxidative stress in the body have been shown to trigger these diseases. The perceived anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of taking nutritional supplements are one of the reasons people buy them.

However, in an updated guideline published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, the USPSTF states:

• Vitamin E supplementation is not beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer. Its excessive supplementation increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
• Beta-carotene supplementation can do more harm than good. Especially for smokers and workers exposed to asbestos, beta-carotene supplements increase the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality and lung cancer.

The combination of beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements also increases the risk of lung cancer.

Beta-Carotene-Foods Fight Cancer, Beta-Carotene Supplements Do the Opposite

Many studies have found that beta-carotene has strong antioxidant effects and that consumption of fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer and all-cause mortality. Among others, foods containing carotenoids may have protective effects against lung, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx cancers.