Doctors advise caution when using a popular supplement for individuals at risk of cancer as it could accelerate tumor development.

Doctors caution against using Vitamin C and E supplements for cancer patients or those with an elevated cancer risk.

A study on lung cancer cells reveals that these vitamins actually stimulate the formation of new blood vessels in tumors, potentially accelerating cancer growth and spread.

This finding is surprising since these antioxidants were previously believed to be powerful protectors against cancer.

While Vitamin C and E, commonly found in fruits and vegetables, reduce inflammation linked to cancer, they also promote the formation of new blood vessels in the body, including within cancer tumors.

Professor Martin Bergö, a molecular medicine expert from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, emphasizes that there is no need to fear antioxidants in regular food, as fruits and vegetables do not contain sufficient amounts to cause harm. He also states that additional supplementation is unnecessary.

Vitamin C is known for its protective effects against skin damage, while vitamin E is important for immune system function in fighting off bacteria and viruses.

Study leader Professor Bergö explains, “We’ve discovered that antioxidants activate a mechanism that promotes the formation of new blood vessels in cancer tumors, which is surprising considering they were previously believed to have a protective effect.”

Antioxidants such as vitamin C help reduce the level of free oxygen radicals in the body, molecules that can contribute to heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. However, excessive antioxidants in the diet can stabilize the BACH1 protein, which leads to the formation of new blood vessels and potentially tumor growth.

In their research, the scientists examined lung cancer cells from patients, as well as samples from breast and kidney tumors and mice. They observed that when the BACH1 protein was activated by antioxidants, more new blood vessels were formed in the tumors.

The researchers hope that these findings will contribute to the development of improved treatments for preventing the growth of cancer tumors.

Ting Wang, a doctoral student in Professor Bergö’s group at Karolinska Institutet, adds, “The next step is to further investigate how oxygen and free radicals levels can regulate the BACH1 protein, and we will also explore the clinical relevance of our results. Additionally, similar studies will be conducted on other forms of cancer such as breast, kidney, and skin cancer.”