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Dietary Supplements for Skin Cancer Prevention: Key Findings and Recommendations

Explore the role of supplements like Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3), antioxidants, selenium, and beta-carotene in preventing skin cancer. Discover recent research findings and how these supplements can complement traditional protective measures against UV damage.

  • skin cancer

  • Recent research suggests that certain dietary supplements may play a role in preventing skin cancer. Here are some notable findings:

    1. Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3):

      • A phase 3 clinical trial found that nicotinamide can reduce the rates of new nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, by 23% in high-risk individuals. It also significantly decreased the incidence of actinic keratosis, a common precancerous condition1.
      • This form of Vitamin B3 (not to be confused with niacin) was administered at 500 mg twice daily and had no major side effects1.

    2. Antioxidants:

      • Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, have shown chemopreventive effects against skin cancer in various studies. These vitamins help neutralize free radicals, reducing the oxidative stress caused by UV radiation23.
      • Studies indicate that dietary intake of antioxidants through whole foods may be more effective in preventing skin cancer compared to supplements3.

    3. Selenium:

      • Selenium supplementation in men has shown some promise in reducing the risk of skin cancer. However, more research is required to establish its efficacy and safety4.

    4. Beta-Carotene:

      • While often considered for its antioxidant properties, beta-carotene supplementation has been discouraged for smokers due to an increased risk of lung cancer5.

    It's important to note that while supplements can aid in prevention, they should not replace primary protective measures such as avoiding excessive sun exposure, using sunscreen, and wearing protective clothing.

    Footnotes

    1. Phoebe Starr. "Oral Nicotinamide Prevents Common Skin Cancers in High-Risk Patients, Reduces Costs." NCBI. ↩ ↩2

    2. Kimberly A Sable. "The Role of Dietary Antioxidants in Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer." PubMed. ↩

    3. Aleksandar Godic. "The Role of Antioxidants in Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment." NCBI. ↩ ↩2

    4. A Bardia et al. "Efficacy of antioxidant supplementation in reducing primary cancer incidence and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis." NCBI Bookshelf. ↩

    5. Serge Hercberg. "Antioxidant supplementation increases the risk of skin cancers in women but not in men." PubMed. ↩

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