A nutrient-rich diet helps support overall health in people with lung cancer. However, some supplements may not be helpful. Some research in mice suggests supplementing with vitamins C or E or other antioxidants may increase cancer spread.
Vitamins C and E are antioxidants, which are substances that help prevent oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress
Eating foods rich in vitamins C and E may help limit oxidative stress and lower the risk of certain health conditions, including lung cancer. Taking vitamin C or E supplements does not appear to provide additional benefits beyond those provided by eating foods that are rich in these nutrients.
Although more research is necessary, taking antioxidant supplements may increase the spread of lung cancer after it has developed. These antioxidants may increase the blood flow in tumors, helping them grow.
Read on to learn more about research on vitamins C and E and lung cancer.
Eating foods rich in vitamins E and C appears to have more benefits for preventing lung cancer than taking these antioxidants in supplement form.
Research from 2022 found that people who eat a diet rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidants have a lower risk of lung cancer. However, taking vitamin C or E supplements does not provide the same benefits. There was no significant link between vitamin C or E supplementation and lung cancer risk.
A
The same review also found that vitamin A supplements have little to no effect on lung cancer risk overall. However, it found that among people who smoke or asbestos workers, vitamin A supplements appeared to
Although more research is necessary, it is possible that antioxidants may help cancer cells grow by stimulating blood flow in tumors. Antioxidant supplements may, therefore, help cancer cells to spread.
A
An earlier study reported similar results in 2014, showing lung cancer
Another study in 2023 looked at antioxidant supplementation in mice with melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer. They found melanoma
More research is necessary to learn how vitamin E, vitamin C, or other antioxidant supplements may affect the spread of cancer cells in humans. It is possible that the effects may vary based on factors such as:
- the specific type of cancer
- the specific antioxidant
- the dose of the antioxidant
- whether a person takes the antioxidant orally or by intravenous infusion
The
The NCI does not report any specific findings on antioxidant supplementation in people receiving treatment for lung cancer. However, it does report research on people with breast cancer that found that the use of vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidant supplements during chemotherapy and radiation therapy may increase the risk of total mortality.
The research also showed an increase in worsened recurrence-free survival, or the length of time the person experiences without cancer signs or symptoms after cancer treatment has ended.
However, more research is necessary to learn how vitamin C, vitamin E, or other antioxidant supplements may affect the safety and effectiveness of specific cancer treatments in specific types of cancer.
It is possible that certain antioxidant supplements at certain doses may reduce the effectiveness of some cancer treatments but increase the effectiveness of others.
A person can speak with a doctor to learn more about the potential benefits and risks of taking vitamin C, vitamin E, or other antioxidant supplements. They should inform the doctor about any supplements they are already taking and check with them before taking a new supplement.
A 2020 report from the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) found that most people are more likely to benefit from eating a nutrient-rich diet than taking supplements to prevent cancer. Certain groups of people may benefit from taking certain nutritional supplements, but the WCRF/AICR report does not generally recommend high dose supplements for cancer prevention.
Although more research is necessary, it is likely that foods provide certain nutrients in forms or combinations that are easier than supplements for the body to absorb and use. The complex combination of nutrients in foods may also provide synergistic benefits that supplementary nutrients do not offer.
A person’s doctor can help them learn how to increase their dietary intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, or other antioxidants. They may also refer the person to a registered dietitian for support.
A dietitian can help people adjust their diet to meet their nutritional needs while managing lung cancer symptoms or treatment side effects that may affect appetite or digestion.
Eating a nutrient-rich diet is important for supporting overall health with lung cancer. Most people can get the required nutrients from their diet alone without supplements.
However, a doctor may prescribe a multivitamin for those having difficulty getting their nutrients through food, which may be due to the side effects of their treatment. However, they usually only recommend this when a person is experiencing a vitamin deficiency.
Taking vitamin C, E, or other antioxidant supplements does not appear to reduce the risk of lung cancer. Some evidence suggests that taking these supplements may increase the spread of lung cancer after it develops.
A person can speak with a doctor about the potential benefits and risks of taking vitamin supplements when they have lung cancer. People taking supplements should do so with caution until their possible effects are more understood. It is also advisable for anyone who smokes to avoid vitamin A, as it may increase their risk of lung cancer and mortality.
A person can also talk with a doctor and dietician about whether increasing antioxidant intake through their diet is necessary.