Consumers need more information and guidance about the potential
risks, as well as the benefits, of using dietary supplements for
cancer prevention, authors of a review concluded. Emerging
evidence has shown that high doses of certain supplements can
actually increase the risk of cancer, Maria Elena Martinez, PhD,
of the University of California San Diego, and co-authors wrote
in a commentary published online in the Journal of the National
Cancer Institute. Aside from a role in treating a few uncommon
nutrient deficiencies, dietary supplements have minimal
supporting data for health benefits in disease prevention,
particularly cancer. "Despite this evidence [of potential harm],
marketing claims by the supplement industry continue to imply
anti-cancer benefits," Martinez and co-authors wrote.
"Insufficient government regulation of the marketing of dietary
supplement products may continue to result in unsound advice to
consumers. Both the scientific community and government
regulators need to provide clear guid