A brand new study has come back with solid news for people who regularly pop multivitamins/minerals. And judging by the market for these natural supplements, there are no few people popping. Looking for secrets about how to prevent cancer? Open up your bathroom cabinet and you might find one answer inside.
Could the use of vitamin and mineral supplements in a regular diet help reduce the risk of colon cancer and protect against carcinogens? A new study in the “Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology” has found evidence that it just might. Researchers found that rats given regular multivitamin and mineral supplements showed a significantly lower risk of developing colon cancer — even when exposed to carcinogens.
It has been unclear cancer patients can gain benefits from multivitamins, or if they have no effect, or even they were detrimental during cancer therapy. This new study is important because it gives direction to cancer patients often in desperate need of guidance on the value of multivitamins and minerals. It also gives them a little push of hope.
While the study is on rats, this is where most major health breakthroughs germinate. Researchers studied rats fed a high-fat diet (20% fat) over a 32-week period. The rats were divided into six groups, which were exposed to different combinations of supplements and carcinogens. The colon cancer induced in the study rats had characteristics that mimic human colon cancer.
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Rats fed a high-fat and low-fiber diet and exposed to carcinogens developed pre-cancerous lesions. But rats undergoing similar treatment, but given daily multivitamin supplements, showed a significant (84%) reduction in the formation of pre-cancerous lesions. Basically, they did not develop tumors.
The researchers conclude that: “Regular supplements of multivitamins and minerals could reduce the risk of colon cancer.”
Colon cancer often begins as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps. Over time, some polyps become colon cancers. The ideal way to prevent colon cancer is to deal with these polyps, which is why doctors recommend regular screening tests.
Other prevention tips include: eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; drinking alcohol only in moderation (if at all); not smoking; getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day; and maintaining a healthy weight.