Supplements taken by MILLIONS could increase cancer risk, top dietitian warns – they’re not the health boost many think they are

Supplements that offer several health benefits may do more harm than good: they affect liver function, cause kidney stones and even increase the risk of cancer.

This is what a top dietician, specialized in nutritional advice for cancer patients, says.

Washington-based dietitian Nichole Andrews told her 334,000 Instagram followers that the majority of the vitamins we take are bad for our health, highlighting one vitamin that increases the risk of cancer.

“Many of us turn to supplements like apple cider vinegar, collagen, skin/hair/nail gummies, turmeric and vitamin C for quick fixes,” she said.

‘But did you know that too high doses can do more harm than good?

“As a cancer dietitian, I’m here to tell you that relying on supplements for health can lead to imbalances and, in some cases, even increase the risk of cancer.”

The first supplement on her list of unnecessary and potentially harmful supplements is apple cider vinegar capsules.

A quick internet search may lead you to believe that apple cider vinegar is the ultimate miracle cure, with claims suggesting it can help you shed a few extra pounds and control high blood pressure.

But many of these benefits have only been observed in petri dishes, not in humans.

Ms Andrews said: ‘Apple cider vinegar capsules can irritate your digestive system, they can also damage your tooth enamel due to their high acidity.

‘There is no solid evidence linking them to weight loss or better digestion.’

She added that these supplements are not regulated like medications, meaning we don’t know if they do what they say.

Instead, she suggested opting for lemon water or fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut if you want to regulate digestion.

Collagen supplements are also on Ms. Andrews’ “bad” supplement list.

She emphasized that unless you have a deficiency; Excessive collagen can interfere with nutrient absorption.

‘Collagen is essential for skin and joints, but your body produces enough collagen naturally just by eating a well-balanced diet. That’s what you need to focus on,” she said.

To reap the benefits of collagen, she suggested eating chicken, fish, eggs, citrus fruits and berries, which are also rich in vitamin C.

Biotin, a vitamin also called B7 found in eggs and bananas, is often recommended for strengthening hair and nails.

But Ms. Andrews advises against taking it in supplement form.

‘The skin, hair and nail gummies are packed with added biotin. While this may be good for you, you should get this from food as too much biotin can interfere with blood tests,” she said.

Instead of taking supplements, Ms Andrews told her followers to eat eggs, nuts, leafy greens, avocados and sweet potatoes for balanced vitamins.

Praised for its gut-healing, anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties, turmeric is another popular supplement.

But at elevated levels, turmeric can irritate the stomach lining and affect liver function, Ms Andrews warned.

Instead, she said to focus on eating turmeric as part of a meal.

For example, in a curry or smoothie with healthy fats such as olive oil or coconut milk to promote absorption.

Finally, vitamin C, which is found in abundance in oranges and peppers, should also not be taken as a supplement.

Ms Andrews said taking more than 200 per cent of your daily vitamin C value could lead to kidney stones and digestive problems.

‘Excessive vitamin C can lead to kidney stones, gastrointestinal problems and disrupt the absorption of other nutrients. Your body can certainly get enough vitamin C from whole fruit and vegetables,” Ms Andrews explains.

She emphasized that people should opt for oranges, strawberries, peppers and broccoli instead.

Several studies echo her concerns and discourage taking vitamins in excessive amounts.

One 2023 study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggested that antioxidants such as vitamins C and E may actually help tumors grow.

These two nutrients play a crucial role: Vitamin C is important for wound healing and healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage; and vitamin E for eye health and immunity.

Vitamin C is found in foods such as broccoli, citrus fruits and vitamin E is found in nuts and seeds.

While these vitamins do not pose a problem when consumed in the amounts found in food, consuming more vitamins than your body needs by taking supplements can help cancer thrive.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute, a medical university in Sweden, injected mice with lung cancer cells before giving them increasingly higher doses of vitamins C and E in their drinking water.

They then performed regular ultrasound scans to monitor the formation of blood vessels that help the cancer cells form a solid tumor.

The results showed that the vitamins boosted a protein in the body that helped increase blood flow to tumors, allowing them to grow.