Consumption of large quantities of antioxidants from supplements could potentially increase risk of cancer.
A new study in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” followed 2,200 women who were undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Supplementing with antioxidants, such as vitamin C or vitamin E, was linked to a 64% greater total mortality.
Conclusions
Small dosages of antioxidants found in food can be helpful, but large doses that are typically found in supplements can inhibit the body’s own innate defense mechanisms and potentially increase risk for many diseases such as cancer.
References
Jung, A. Y., Cai, X., Thoene, K., Obi, N., Jaskulski, S., Behrens, S., … & Chang-Claude, J. (2019). Antioxidant supplementation and breast cancer prognosis in postmenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 109(1), 69-78.