The human body needs vitamins and minerals to function properly and prevent disease, and this may include cancer. While breast cancer is not preventable, there are vitamins that have been shown to possibly reduce the risk of developing the disease. If you have a personal or family history of breast cancer, talk with your doctor about whether any of these supplements could benefit you.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be added to foods, but it is naturally found in only a few foods, such as salmon and cod liver oil. The human body also produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. This vitamin promotes the body's absorption of calcium and maintains appropriate levels of calcium and phosphate for bones to be healthy, says the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D may also help decrease the risk of developing certain cancers, including breast cancer. According to a 2008 study by Dr. Michael F. Holick, published in the "Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology," there is an approximate 30 to 50 percent reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer if an individual increases vitamin D intake to at least 1,000 IU, or international units, daily. Ask your health care provider whether this is a safe option for you.
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, and it works with vitamin D. It is necessary for proper muscle contraction, intracellular signaling and nerve function and build strong bones and teeth. The Office of Dietary Supplements states that women between the ages of 19 and 50 should consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, and women 51 and older should consume 1,200 mg daily. Calcium and vitamin D interact chemically in the body, and inadequate calcium levels may increase the risk of certain cancers, states Dr. Meinrad Peterlik et al in a 2009 study published in "Anticancer Research." These two supplements work together to reduce breast cancer risk, which is why it is crucial to get enough calcium.
Vitamin B12 and Folate
Vitamin B12 and folate, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, may be linked to a lower rate of breast cancer. Both vitamins help the body produce RNA and DNA, and aid in metabolizing fats and proteins. This vitamin, along with folate, produces red blood cells and also produces a compound known as SAMe, which plays a role in immune functioning and mood, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Women who regularly drink alcohol are at higher risk of developing breast cancer, and adequate folate intake may mediate the increased risk of breast cancer due to drinking, according to the University of Maryland. Preliminary studies found that women with a low B12 intake had an increased risk of breast cancer, but more studies need to be done.
Vitamin E
Another fat-soluble vitamin that may be associated with a reduced breast cancer risk is vitamin E. This vitamin is an antioxidant and protects cells against free radical damage. The University of Maryland states that individuals diagnosed with cancer typically have lower levels of vitamin E. According to MayoClinic.com, vitamin E has been named as a possible preventive therapy for breast cancer, but study results are mixed, with some studies finding no beneficial effect.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
- PubMed.gov: "Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology"; Vitamin D and Sunlight: Strategies for Cancer Prevention and Other Health Benefits; MF Holick; 2008
- PubMed.gov: "Anticancer Research"; Calcium, Vitamin D and Cancer; M Peterlik et al; 2009
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B12
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B9
