Feb
27, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- Taking certain nutrient supplements like
beta-carotene and some other carotenoids-containing dietary supplements may
raise the risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers, a study published in
the Feb 2009 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests.
The
study led by Jessie Satia, Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill and colleagues also examined the possible effect of retinol, vitamin A,
lycopene and lutein and found smokers who took supplements of these types were
at higher risk of lung cancer compared to the general population.
For
the study, the researchers surveyed more than 77,000 men and women aged 50 to
76 in Western Washington State for their habits of using dietary supplements
over a period of 10 years and the data on the rates of lung cancer came from
the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry.
They
found the smokers' risk of developing lung cancer increased with the length of
time they took nutrient supplements like beta-carotene, retinol and
lutein.
The longer they took dietary
supplements, the higher the risk of lung cancer for smokers.
Specially,
use of retinol and lutein supplements for a period of four years or longer was
associated with increases in lung cancer risk of 53 percent and 102 percent,
respectively. But the risk for nonsmokers could not be determined because there
were not enough lung cancer cases among nonsmokers.
Early
clinical trials have found that high doses of beta carotene seemed to raise the
risk of lung cancer, Satia said. However, the risk for nonsmokers could not be
determined because lung cancer cases among nonsmokers were small.
Beta-carotene
and carotenoids are present in fruit and vegetables which have been linked to
low incidence of cancer.
Because of the
link, scientists suspected that high doses of certain nutrients may help
prevent cancer.
The current study suggests
that that may not necessarily be the case.
A
health observer at foodconsumer.org suggests that the study merely found an
association between taking dietary supplements and lung cancer risk, meaning
that taking these dietary supplements may not necessarily be the cause for the
increased risk of lung cancer in smokers.
Disclaimer: What's published on this website should be considered opinions of respective writers only and foodconsumer.org which has no political agenda nor commercial ambition may or may not endorse any opinion of any writer. No accuracy is guaranteed although writers are doing their best to provide accurate information only.
The information on this website should not be construed as medical advice and should not be used to replace professional services provided by qualified or licensed health care workers. The site serves only as a platform for writers and readers to share knowledge, experience, and information from the scientific community, organizations, government agencies and individuals.
Foodconsumer.org encourages readers who have had medical conditions to consult with licensed health care providers - conventional and or alternative medical practitioners.