Multivitamins, the most common dietary supplement in America, are taken by at least one-third of US adults and account for billions of dollars of spending each year. Two weeks ago, the Journal of American Medical Association published a study that found taking a daily multivitamin supplement reduced the incidence of cancer by 8%.
13,641 male doctors over 50 participated in the 11 year prevention study, which was the largest of its kind. Although statistically significant, the 8% reduction did not apply to any specific kind of cancer or cancer mortality – rather, it affected total cancer rates.
The study made headlines not only because it was the largest of its kind, but because it’s good news for the vitamin/supplement industry. Past studies including a meta-analysis published in JAMA and a 2009 multivitamin study of women failed to find any statistically significant correlation between vitamins and chronic disease. Although some may be skeptical, there aren’t many other studies out there that have shown to reduce cancer risk by almost 10%.
So is it time to run to your nearest GNC? Maybe not. Remember, this study only looked at men over 50 – and the findings can’t carry over to young men or women, or even older women, for that matter. Also, the American Cancer Society continues to recommend getting your nutrients from a healthy diet, rather than from supplements. But, if you do choose to take supplements, it seems (at least at this point) that multivitamins may be your best bet.
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