When it comes to dietary supplements, there are far too many options to choose from. If you’ve ever walked by the vitamin aisle of your local health or grocery store, you may have noticed how many different kinds of vitamins and supplements there are. Dietary supplements are any kind of vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids that you can eat or drink. Supplements come in all shapes and sizes, such as: pills, powders, tablets, capsules, and liquids. I’m going to list the top 10 cancer preventing supplements you can take.
Cancer sucks!
People take supplements for different reasons. The main function of dietary supplements is to do exactly what the name implies — supplement an existing diet. Vitamins and mineral tablets aren’t meant to take the place of a healthy and nutritious diet. That being said, taking the right supplements with a nutritious and well-rounded diet can provide a host of added health benefits. For example, supplements can fill in the nutritional gaps of your diet, and can even assist the body in preventing and assisting in the treatment of certain kinds of illnesses, including cancer.
1. Vitamin D
Vitamin D can absorb calcium and help the immune, muscle, and nervous systems function properly. According to research, certain cancers such as breast cancer, can have a higher risk of occurring when the body has low levels of vitamin D. The recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 15 mcg. Vitamin D can be absorbed through sunlight, or with the following diet: fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk.
It is recommend to take a daily intake of 600 international units (IU) or 15 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D for most people. Many people can get enough vitamin D from sun exposure. The body naturally produces vitamin D when the skin becomes directly exposed to sunlight. For others, the recommendation is much higher, upwards of 20,000 international units.
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles and also plays a vital role in the function of nerves and the immune system. According to the research in mice indicates that vitamin D may slow or prevent the growth or development of cancer. Research note that some studies in humans suggest that higher intakes of vitamin D may lower the risk of certain types of cancer. However, the results so far have been inconsistent, and scientists need to carry out more research. Vitamin D is also present in a limited number of foods, including:
- oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna
- red meat and liver
- mushrooms
- cheese and egg yolks
- fortified foods, such as certain breakfast cereals, orange juices, and milk
Vitamin D supplements are available in two forms:
- There is vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol
- vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol
Both of these forms increase vitamin D levels in the body in a similar manner.
2. Onions and Garlic
Garlic is a great choice when it comes to giving your body a little extra protection. To reap the benefits of garlic, you should eat one clove per day, or 300 to 1,000 milligrams of garlic extract.
Protective effects may include:
- antibacterial properties
- blocking and halting the activation of cancer-causing substances
- enhanced DNA repair
- a reduction in cancer cells spreading
Garlic and onions belong to the Allium genus of plants.
According to a 2015 review, eating more of these plants may help lower the risk of certain cancers, particularly in the digestive tract. However, the effect is difficult for researchers to quantify, and it is not clear how much of these vegetables a person needs to eat.A 2018 study found that garlic extract blocks the growth of some types of cancer cell in test tube experiments and mice models. However, the researchers also noted that some studies suggest that garlic extract may increase the activity of some chemotherapy drugs. As such, anyone undergoing cancer treatment should talk to their doctor before using garlic extract.
3. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an excellent cancer-fighting nutrient. Vitamin E is fat-soluble and acts as a strong antioxidant, helping the body remove cell-damaging free radicals. This vitamin can significantly decrease the risk for prostate, colon, and lung cancers. In fact, low amounts of vitamin E may increase the risk of cancer. It’s important to get enough of this vitamin daily from diet or supplements. The recommended daily amount of vitamin E is 8 to 10 mg. You can also eat the following foods to supplement vitamin E in your diet:
- almonds
- avocado
- broccoli
- beans
- mango
- spinach
- olive oil
4. Ginger (The Best Cancer Preventing Supplements)
Ginger is suggested to play a beneficial role against cancer because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties. When it comes to adding ginger to your diet, ginger supplements can be too concentrated and aren’t recommended. Instead, cut up and add fresh ginger root to a meal or purchase ginger candy for a quick snack. Avoid excessive amounts of ginger, as it may interact with blood thinners and affect certain people’s blood sugar levels.
Ginger is a traditional remedy for digestive issues and may also help to relieve the side effects of nausea and vomiting that chemotherapy and radiation therapy can often cause.
Making tea from boiled ginger root or eating natural candied ginger throughout the day may help relieve these side effects. People can also buy a variety of ginger tea online. Herbal supplements containing ginger extract are also available to purchase online. However, these extracts may be too concentrated for some people.There is some concern that ginger may interact with blood thinners, so people taking these medications should consult a doctor before adding ginger to their diet.
5. Turmeric (The Best Cancer Preventing Supplements)
The Indian spice turmeric can be extremely helpful when it comes to fighting cancer. Studies show that the curcumin in turmeric may kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth. The benefits of curcumin may include: blocking cancer cells from multiplying, killing colon, breast, prostate, and melanoma cancer cells, and slowing tumor growth. Add some turmeric to your next dish, or take a supplement containing curcumin to experience the benefits of this powerful substance.
Turmeric is an orange spice that is a common ingredient in Asian foods, such as curry. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
According to a some studies suggest that curcumin can slow tumor growth and cause cancer cells to die. However, much of the research is from test tube studies and animal models, and scientists need to carry out more research in humans to confirm the findings. Both the whole root and the ground spice form of turmeric are widely available in grocery stores. A person can try adding turmeric to curries, rice dishes, soups, and other meals. Turmeric is also available as a tea and a dietary supplement.
6. Green Tea (The Best Cancer Preventing Supplements)
Green tea is an excellent antioxidant, and studies show the properties of green tea help protect against metastasis of certain kinds of cancer. Green tea also contains chemicals called polyphenols that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
If you have cancer, consider drinking up to 3 cups of green tea per day to experience the benefits. Green tea pills are also available, but may be too concentrated.
Early clinical studies suggest that the polyphenols in tea, especially green tea, may play an important role in the prevention of cancer. Researchers also believe that polyphenols help kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing.
7. Selenium (The Best Cancer Preventing Supplements)
The mineral selenium removes free radicals from the body, making it a potential defense against cancer. Free radicals are the unstable molecules that attack cells and can eventually lead to cancer if they’re not removed. Too much selenium can be toxic, but doses as high as 300 micrograms (mcg) have been shown to reduce certain kinds of cancer, including cancers of the:
- esophagus
- colon
- lung
- liver
The recommended daily amount of selenium is 55 mcg. You can get your daily dose via supplements, or through foods like cereal, grains, and Brazil nuts.
8. Ground Flax Seed
Most people use fish oil supplements to enhance the amount of omega-3’s in their diet. However, fish oil was shown in one study on mice to possibly reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and for that reason ground flax seed is a worthy alternative. Flax seed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of certain cancers. When supplementing, try to avoid flaxseed oil because it lacks the nutrients of ground flax seed. Ground flax seed can be purchased online or found in many larger grocery store chains. Simply sprinkle some ground flax seed on your food and enjoy.
9. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are naturally present in a variety of foods, including:
- fish, including salmon, mackerel, and tuna
- plants oils, such as those from flaxseed, soybean, and canola
- nuts and seeds
Some research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent some types of cancer.
For example, a 2015 review found some evidence that the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3s may lower a person’s risk of developing breast cancer.
However, a 2019 clinical trial investigated the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in 25,871 people.
The researchers found that participants who took omega-3 supplements did not have an overall reduced risk of cancer compared to those who took a placebo. There was also no association between taking omega-3 supplements and a lower risk of breast, colorectal, or prostate cancers.
Dietary supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids are widely available in health stores and pharmacies in a variety of different forms, including:
- cod liver oil
- fish oil
- krill oil
- algal oil, which comes from algae and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans
The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) recommend a daily intake of 1.1–1.6 grams (g) of omega-3 fatty acids for people aged 14 years and upwards. A person should talk to their doctor before taking omega-3 supplements, as they can interact with some medications.
10. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 keeps your nerves and blood cells healthy and prevents anemia, which can make you feel weak and tired. Most people who eat meat or dairy products get enough B12 from their diet. People who are vegan may need to take a B12 supplement.
Additional: Antioxidants
Antioxidants counteract free radicals in the body, which may help protect against oxidative stress and cellular damage. Oxidative stress may play a role in the development of cancer and some other diseases. However, the NCI report that clinical trials to date have not provided evidence that taking antioxidant supplements can lower a person’s risk of developing cancer. They also point out that some studies suggest that antioxidant supplements may worsen outcomes during cancer treatment, particularly in people who smoke.
Other studies in mice with tumors also found that antioxidants can promote tumor growth and metastasis, which is when cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
The NCI recommend that people undergoing cancer treatment speak to the doctor before taking antioxidant supplements. A range of antioxidant supplements are widely available in health stores and pharmacies, and people can also buy them online. Examples include: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, lycopene.
