New Study Reveals Taking a Multivitamin May Be Increasing Breast Cancer Risk

This is another one of those articles that shows how a research study being done gives the impression that something you think is good for you might actually be bad for you. Let me just say, anything you read in this article is NOT telling you to stop taking your multivitamins, but you will be informed of the potential dangers, and even some alternatives to what you may be doing now.

A new study is actually suggesting that a staple in our daily lives, taking a multivitamin every day, may actually be increasing your risk of breast cancer.

The new study was done by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study included 35,000 Swedish women between the ages of 49 to 83. The study lasted 10 years.

The women that reported they took a multivitamin were 19% more likely to develop breast cancer than those that said they did not take a multivitamin. These results stood firm even after researchers took into account other risk factors including age, size, nicotine or alcohol use, or family history.

So why would taking a seemingly beneficial multivitamin cause an increase in breast cancer risk?

One explanation might be that multivitamins have folic acid, an ingredient that causes breast tissue to be more dense. This tissue denseness could stimulate cancer development.

Some studies have also determined that iron and zinc are linked to increase cancer risk. But you have to take this with a grain of salt since there are other studies that show no link between the two.

The research, interestingly enough, did show that vitamin E, C, and B-6 do not cause an increased breast cancer risk factor. And Calcium actually protects against breast cancer. This is interesting since E and C are two of the big antioxidants that are touted for guarding against breast cancer so naturally would assume they would not cause a problem

In this day and age of rushed eating, fast foods and convenience eating, taking a multivitamin may be very beneficial to your dietary requirements. However if you are able to eat a normal healthy diet you really probably do not even need one. Also you might consider taking the specific supplement you think you are lacking in your diet instead of a blanket multivitamin to cover your needs. A discussion with your physician or a nutritionist could be very helpful in this area.

The physicians involved in this study have an interesting take on the situation. They suggest if you are determined to take a multivitamin then don't let this study stop you. It certainly is not conclusive. But they say, there really is no good reason to take a multivitamin unless you are severely malnourished, so why take the risk.

It is always better to look to good nutritious healthy food and moderate eating and exercise as the source of health. Good nutritious food can provide all the minerals and nutrients needed for our good health.

Sources:

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Multivitamins Linked to Breast Cancer Risk