Vitamins will not help cure bladder cancer, but certain vitamins may help reduce the risk and recurrence of the disease. They can also help promote overall wellness during treatment. Before taking any vitamin supplements, talk with your doctor about whether these vitamins may benefit you, and whether they are safe and appropriate for you to take.
Vitamin A
According to a 2002 study published in "The Urologic Clinics of North America," vitamin A has been shown to have preventive effects against bladder cancer. This vitamin is actually a group of compounds that aid in cell division and bone growth and help regulate the immune system. Foods containing vitamin A include milk, eggs, liver, oatmeal and carrots. More research needs to be done to firmly establish a link between increased intake of vitamin A and reduced risk of cancer, so talk with your doctor about vitamin A before taking any supplements. This vitamin can interact with certain kinds of medications, including some cancer drugs, so tell your doctor about any other drugs or supplements you take.
Vitamin B-6
Pyridoxine, or vitamin B-6, is another vitamin that has shown anti-bladder cancer properties. The B vitamins aid in transforming food into glucose for energy for the body, and B-6 also helps make neurotransmitters and is necessary for healthy brain functioning. Dietary sources of this vitamin are brown rice, chicken, milk, lentils, carrots and sunflower seeds. While this is also found in B-complex formulations, you can take B-6 supplements. Ask your doctor about an appropriate dosage, as too much can cause neurological problems, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. This vitamin can also interact with chemotherapy drugs, so talk with your oncologist before taking it.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that may help fight bladder cancer. Antioxidants help protect cells from free radical damage, which may lead to diseases such as cancer. This vitamin boosts the immune system by encouraging the production of white blood cells, which help fight infection, explains the Linus Pauling Institute. You can obtain vitamin C by drinking orange juice and adding foods such as broccoli, potatoes, strawberries, grapefruit and tomatoes to your diet.
Vitamin E
Another antioxidant that may help prevent bladder cancer is vitamin E. The "Urologic Clinics of North America" study found that the combination of vitamins A, C, E and B-6 helped reduce the risk of bladder cancer recurrence by nearly 50 percent. It is not yet known whether vitamin E alone has these same effects. Good dietary sources of this vitamin include eggs, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables, asparagus and yams. Talk with your doctor before taking vitamin E supplements, as they can interact with medications and cause adverse side effects.
References
- "The Urologic Clinics of North America"; Chemoprevention of Bladder Cancer; AM Kamat and DL Lamm; 2002
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin A
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine); Dr. Steven Ehrlich; June 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Vitamin C; Dr. Victoria Drake; November 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin E; Dr. Steven Ehrlich; December 2009
