Supplement users may have better cancer survival: Study

By Stephen Daniells, 31-Jul-2009

Related topics: Omega-3, Research, Antioxidants, carotenoids, Minerals,Nutritional lipids and oils, Vitamins & premixes, Cancer risk reduction

Lung cancer patients who were regular dietary supplement users prior to diagnosis may have better survival chances than non-users, says a new study from Norway.

Use of cod liver oil supplements was associated with a 44 per cent lower risk of death for lung cancer patients, while daily use of other dietary supplements was associated with a 30 per cent reduction in the risk of death among lung cancer patients, according to findings published in the International Journal of Cancer.

“This study has shown that in lung cancer patients taking dietary supplements before diagnosis was associated with better survival. Whether this is due to beneficial effects of supplements, or differences between supplement users and non-users cannot be determined,” wrote the researchers, led by Guri Skeie from the University of Tromso.

“More research is needed to understand the interplay between nutrients, whether in food or supplements and cancer survival.”

The study also indicated that the benefits of supplement use may even extend beyond lung cancer. The use of cod liver oil and other supplements was associated with improved survival statistics for people with any kind of solid tumour, including breast and colorectal cancer.

“Given that randomized controlled trials have demonstrated no effects or increased incidence of lung cancer in supplementation studies in well-nourished populations, our results may be somewhat surprising,” wrote the researchers.“However, these studies used pharmacological doses of specific nutrients, and cannot easily be compared with ours.”

Study details

Diet and supplement use was established for the 68.518 participants of the Norwegian Women and Cancer study using a food frequency questionnaire. The most common supplement used was cod liver oil, said the researchers, followed by multivitamin and mineral supplements.

After adjusting the data to account for smoking status, the age at which the participants were diagnosed, and the stage of the cancer, Skeie and his co-workers report that consumption of cod liver oil daily for a year prior to diagnosis was associated with a 23 per cent reduction in the risk of death in patients with solid tumours, and a reduction of 44 per cent in lung cancer patients.

Additionally, daily and occasional use of other dietary supplements was associated with 30 and 45 per cent reduction, respectively, in the risk of death among lung cancer patients.

“When use of cod liver oil and other dietary supplements were combined into one variable daily use of both cod liver oil and other dietary supplements was associated with improved survival in lung cancer patients,” added Skeie.

Before or after?

Commenting on their study design, the researchers noted: “If the most relevant period for supplementation is after diagnosis, it is likely that our results underestimate the effect of supplementation, as some of the patients most likely have initiated supplementation.

“On the other hand, if a certain level of the nutrients or long-term supplementation is required for an effect, dietary supplement use before diagnosis might be more relevant for the association with survival.

“And if dietary supplement use only is an indicator of a set of health behaviours or beliefs, prediagnosis use might be more important, as these characteristics probably are stronger in those who already take supplements before diagnosis, than in those who initiate use afterwards.”

The researchers called for more research to study the apparent benefits of supplement use for survival chances in people with solid tumours.

“In countries where dietary supplement use is common, analyses of survival in cancer patients, particularly lung cancer patients, should take dietary supplement use into account,” they concluded.

Source: International Journal of Cancer
Volume 125, Pages 1155-1160
"Cod liver oil, other dietary supplements and survival among cancer patients with solid tumours"
Authors: G. Skeie, T. Braaten, A. Hjartaker, M. Brustad, E. Lund

 

 

 

n the Sunday Times recently, celebrity food critic Michael Winner explains that the Forever Lite Ultra Vanilla shake is the ultimate meal replacement.

 

Featured in Candis Magazine: ‘Cool Customer: Why Aloe Vera is Celebrated the World Over as a Treatment for anything from Sunburn to Irritable Bowel Syndrome’. Produced monthly, with all proceeds going to charity, the month’s edition explores the properties of Aloe Vera Gel. Written by Gill Cox.

 

Complementary Health Magazine, July issue – Titled ‘ Cool Customer’ this article investigates why Aloe Vera is celebrated world over as a wonder treatment for everything from sunburn to IBS.

 

The Irish Examiner, 2 May 2008. Discusses the issue of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Health Journalist Megan Shepherd explores the nature of this condition, mentioning the power of ‘aloe vera juice’ and Forever Living Products as the most trusted supplier.

 

BBC’s The Elephant Diaries, Jan 08. Our Forever Freedom was featured, used to treat a baby elephant with joint problems.

Click here for the article

 

 

The Times newspaper (18 December 07) for a great little article entitled "Another role for Aloe Vera: tackling mouth ulcers" to show them, and add to your press clippings file.

 

BBC News Item: "Juice 'can slow prostate cancer' – Drinking a daily eight ounce (0.24 litre) glass of pomegranate juice can significantly slow the progress of prostate cancer…" Click here to read more.

 

 

Organic Life magazine - November issue. A 2 page article on Aloe Vera and how to find the real thing. Forever Living Products is mentioned in this one as a good organically grown Aloe.

 

YOU magazine, 12 August 2007, FLP Aloe Vera Gelly is featured on page 20 in Jemma Kidds make-up masterclass called "Turn down the heat".

 

Blackpool Gazette, published 3 May 2007. Discusses the benefits of Aloe Vera as a 'first aid' application. Highlighting various skin conditions that can be eased by the medicinal properties of this wonderful plant – FLP was highly praised in the newspaper for the purity of the Aloe Vera contained within its products.

 

FLP's Pomesteen Power has appeared in the July 07 issue of Food & Drink International magazine. Our product was the main feature in an energy drink article.