Highlights
Many potential vitamin supplements like beta-carotene may not be always beneficial and may cause an increased risk of lung cancer in current smokers and people who have a significant smoking history. In a large study that examined clinical data of over 100,000 subjects, use of the provitamin beta-carotene, part of many multivitamin supplements, was found to be significantly associated with increased risk of lung cancer in current smokers.
Lung Cancer in Smokers
Even though the anti-smoking revolution in the United States has been extremely successful in making smoking ‘uncool’ and expensive with the high taxes that the government placed on cigarettes, lung cancer affects over 200,000 people a year in the United States (American Lung Association). And smoking is obviously the main cause of this type of cancer.
What is Beta-Carotene?
Beta-carotene, a pigment as well as a provitamin, is available in the form of dietary supplements. Beta-carotene is also present in many multi-vitamin supplements available in the market today. The body converts this pigment into vitamin A which is necessary for healthy skin and eyes. Beta-carotene can also be found naturally in a variety of fruits or vegetables. Carrots are rich in alpha and beta-carotene.
General Health Benefits of Beta-Carotene Supplements
Following are some of the potential health benefits of Beta-carotene Supplements:
- Has strong antioxidant properties
- Helps improve skin and eye health
- Helps improve cognitive function
- May improve respiratory health
Additionally, Beta-Carotene may also be beneficial for specific cancer types. However, will beta-Carotene use by smokers increase the risk of lung cancer? Let us find out what the studies say!
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Beta-Carotene Use increases Lung Cancer Risk in Smokers
Multivitamin intake by people of all backgrounds is growing as they find this the best way to meet and supplement all their nutritional needs. While current smokers are not that likely to be found taking multivitamins, many do use these supplements in order to try to shift to a healthier lifestyle.
Surprisingly, some recent studies have highlighted that potential supplements like beta carotene can cause an increased risk of lung cancer in current smokers and people who have a significant smoking history. In one such study, researchers from the Thoracic Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, studied this connection through examining data on 109,394 subjects and concluded that “among current smokers, beta-carotene supplementation was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer” (Tanvetyanon T et al, Cancer. 2008). Scientifically, researchers theorize that this is because of beta carotene’s ability to aggravate oxidative damage to the cell’s DNA and modify cellular pathways associated with cancer promotion.
Conclusion
Today, anyone smoking in the US are well informed of the associated risks that come with their actions but are often unable to stop because of their addiction to nicotine. However, this blog is yet another example of the unintended consequences a seemingly harmless healthy product like multivitamins can potentially have with a specific subset of people. The key point is that otherwise harmless supplements can become harmful in different contexts when taken in excess. Even in the case of smokers, beta carotene is a necessary fixture for a balanced diet. The problem comes through the excessive intake of this pigment through the use of multivitamin supplements.
What food you eat and which supplements you take is a decision you make. Your decision should include consideration of the cancer gene mutations, which cancer, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, lifestyle information, weight, height and habits.
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