Adele Roberts says her cancer diagnosis 'was a shock'
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Colon cancer is also known as bowel cancer. Depending on the exact location, it can be referred to as colon or bowel cancer. This type of cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the UK. Now, research has connected a certain supplement to a higher risk of the condition.
Supplements have seen both a rise in popularity as well as scrutiny in recent years.
With more side effects linked to the small nutrient boosters coming to light, many experts think that the benefits don’t outweigh the risk.
While some supplements are recommended during certain times of year, like vitamin D, others have been singled out as risk-posing.
Research from the University of Colorado Cancer Center has found that over-the-counter supplements may increase the risk of cancer if taken excessively.
The supplement in question associated directly with colon cancer is folic acid.
Folic acid is the supplement form of vitamin B9, also known as folate.
This vitamin is water-soluble and can be also obtained from many foods.
The research reports that folic acid was previously thought to cut the number of polyps in a colon, however, this number actually increased.
Taking place over two decades, the study reviewed various trials that involved more than 300,000 people.
The research team found that taking more than recommended doses can do more harm as it can boost your cancer risk.
The research looked at a number of supplements and linked them to various cancer types.
It actually started with the team wanting to see if taking extra supplements could lower cancer risk.
The theory was inspired by an observation that people who ate more fruits and vegetables had lowered their risk for cancer.
The researchers wanted to see if the synthetic form of vitamins offered the same benefits.
However, the results proved different – taking lots of supplements may raise a cancer risk instead of staving it off.
One of the researchers Tim Byers said: “In fact, some people actually got more cancer while on the vitamins.
“This is not to say that people need to be afraid of taking vitamins and minerals.
“If taken at the correct dosage, multivitamins can be good for you. But there is no substitute for good, nutritional food.”
But this isn’t the only research looking directly at folic acid and cancer.
Research published in the British Medical Journal reports only “a borderline significant increase” of overall cancer.
Unlike the previous study, this one found prostate cancer to be linked with folic acid supplements.
The team added that more research is needed into this link.
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