Vitamins are essential micronutrients that are required for your general health as well as proper growth and reproduction. There are a total of 13 essential vitamins, most of which must be consumed through your diet. Every specific vitamin has a different function. Some vitamins help with red blood cell formation, reproduction and immune system function. Other vitamins may help destroy harmful substances in the body and prevent the development of cancer. Although vitamins may help prevent the development of cancer, they do not cure cancer and should be not used as a substitution for proper cancer treatment. You should always consult your doctor before beginning any vitamin supplementation.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A exists as three substances: retinol, retinal and retinoic acid. Together, these three substances are referred to as retinoids. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the retinol form of vitamin A has been shown to significantly reduce the amount of carcinogens in the skin, breast, liver, colon and prostate. A study done by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that vitamin A intake was inversely related to the development of breast cancer in premenopausal women with a family history of breast cancer. The recommended daily intakes for vitamin A are 700 micrograms (mcg) for women and 900 mcg for men.
Vitamin C
Most vitamin C in the American diet comes from fruits and vegetables, according to "Nutrition and You" by Joan Salge Blake. The consumption of fruits and vegetables has been linked to decreased incidence of most types of cancer. Vitamin C intake, specifically, is associated with decreased incidence of mouth cancer, throat cancer and cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, vocal cords and lungs, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. The Food and Nutrition Board recommends that women consume 75 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C daily and that men consume 90 mg.
Vitamin E
The most well-known function of vitamin E is in its role as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect your cell membranes and prevent damage to your body that may be caused by free radicals, which contribute to cancer development. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin E also blocks the formation of certain carcinogenic substances that can form from nitrates in foods. A study done by the Seminars in Cancer Biology Journal found that vitamin E was linked to a decreased incidence of breast and prostate cancers. The American Cancer Society also found that people who took supplemental vitamin E for a period of 10 years had a decreased bladder cancer death rate. The Food and Nutrition Board recommends that adults consume 15 mg of vitamin E daily.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin A
- Nutrition and You; Joan Salge Blake; 2008
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E
