Study says taking multivitamin pill may lessen risk of developing cancer in men

U.S. researchers have found that taking a daily multivitamin pill may lower the risk of developing cancer in men, the news reports said.

The study also followed nearly 15,000 men aged over 50 for more than a decade. The findings reported a small reduction in the cancer cases in men taking vitamin pills.

The experts warned that other studies have found the opposite effect and that eating a diet packed with vegetables and fruits were a safe bet.

The vitamin supplements are recommended for group of people such as vitamin D in the over 65. However, the advantages of multivitamins on general health have been mixed.

The studies stated they cause more harm than good when taken by healthy people while others have shown no advantage in cancer.

The doctors at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School analysed data from men who were given a multivitamin or a sugar pill every day. There were 17 cancers per 1,000 people taking multivitamins per year as compared with 18 cancers per 1,000 people taking the dummy pills per year.

Dr. Howard Sesso said, “Many studies have suggested that eating a nutritious diet may reduce a man’s risk of developing cancer.” Mr. Sesso also said, “Now we know that taking a daily multivitamin, in addition to addressing vitamin and mineral deficiencies, may also be considered in the prevention of cancer in middle-aged and older men.”  

Dr. Helga Groll, Health Information Officer at Cancer Research UK, said, “Although, this study suggests that men in the trial had a slightly lower cancer risk if they took multivitamins, we can’t be sure from this research whether this is a true effect or down to chance.” “The best way to get a full range of vitamins and minerals is to eat a healthy, balanced diet with a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Most healthy people shouldn’t need to take supplements although some may be advised to do so by their doctor.”