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Justin Stebbing: Why health and wellness supplements are no silver bullet for cancer?

Justin Stebbing/healthpost.in

Jan 29, 2025, 10:02

Justin Stebbing: Why health and wellness supplements are no silver bullet for cancer?

The use of dietary supplements in cancer care has become popular, but it carries significant risks that patients and healthcare providers must consider.

Supplements can have a role for individuals with specific nutrient deficiencies, but they should never be seen as a replacement for the fundamentals of good health. If you are considering supplements, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure you’re making informed decisions based on credible evidence rather than marketing hype.

Justin Stebbing, Visiting Professor of Cancer Medicine and Oncology at Imperial College, London and a Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Cambridge, delves into the complex and often misunderstood relationship between health supplements and cancer prevention, in a recent blog published on The Conversation:

“Health supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to them in hopes of improving overall health and reducing risk of diseases like cancer.

The allure of these products is understandable – who doesn’t want a simple pill or powder to ward off serious illness?

As a consultant oncologist and cancer researcher, I’ve researched the effects of health supplements on cancer risk, prevention and treatment. And the relationship between supplements and cancer risk is often misunderstood and far more complex than many people realise.

Dietary supplements come in a wide variety of forms, including vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances – and it’s a multi-billion pound industry.

Often fuelled by marketing claims and anecdotal evidence from friends, family members and celebrity wellness gurus who swear by certain supplements, many people take them with the belief that they can fill nutritional gaps in their diet or provide additional health benefit.”

Are Health Supplements Really the Key to Reducing Cancer Risk?

Justin Stebbing explains that although some smaller studies have suggested that certain supplements might offer some benefit, the larger, more rigorous clinical trials – those that are considered the gold standard – frequently fail to show any real advantage. In fact, some supplements, like vitamin E and beta carotene, have even been linked to an increased risk of cancer in certain groups of people, such as healthy men or smokers.

Stebbing warns that while methylene blue does have legitimate uses in certain medical treatments, it’s far from a magic bullet for cancer prevention. In fact, studies show that using it in high doses could pose risks.

Stebbing urges readers to focus on the bigger picture when it comes to cancer prevention. Instead of relying on supplements, the best approach is a holistic one – prioritizing a healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise, and good mental health practices. These lifestyle factors have been proven to lower cancer risk far more effectively than any supplement on the market.

Read Full Article at theconversation.com.