Multivitamins in the Prevention of Cancer in Men

Vitamin, mineral and supplement use in the United States is a multi-billion dollar industry. Despite many testimonials extolling the benefits of supplemental vitamins, there has been very little research that actually provides evidence that these supplements are beneficial. However, there is abundant evidence that over consumption of the fat soluble vitamins, A, E, D and K results in accumulation of the substances and eventual toxicity.  The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans says, “For the general, healthy population, there is no evidence to support a recommendation for the uses of multivitamin or mineral supplements in the primary prevention of chronic disease.”

The Physicians Health Study II (PHS II), a randomized controlled study, followed 14,641 male U.S. patients initially aged 50 or older for a median of 11.2 years. Their results showed that “daily multivitamin supplementation modestly but significantly reduced the risk of total cancer.”  The study could not clarify or specifically define which nutrient or nutrients in their supplemental multivitamin were responsible for the effect in reducing cancer.

The study used the multivitamin Centrum Silver.  However, it did not examine the effect of multivitamins in women.  Nor, did it did allow participants to consume additional vitamins, minerals, supplements or herbs.

The message to individuals is clear. Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is prepared in a manner that does not destroy the nutrients.  A multivitamin such as Centrum Silver will reduce your risk of cancer minimally. There is no proof that taking additional products with the multivitamin will have a more positive effect.