Supplements or Dietary Changes for Prevention?

Recent news reports have not been very positive about the use of supplements such as vitamin C, E, folic acid, beta-carotene or calcium for cancer prevention. The studies were conducted with subjects taking these nutrients in pill form and comparing results with a control group taking a placebo. There was some slight difference in the two groups but it was not statistically significant. There's a problem with this type of headline. The general public gets confused about whether our healthy eating recommendations are legitimate. We know from many years of observational or epidemiological data that people who eat more fruits and vegetables, limit fat intake, include low-fat dairy products and exercise regularly have lower risks of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Their diets are higher in vitamins C, E, A, beta-carotene, calcium, folic acid and fiber. Research has not been able to prove that these nutrients in tablet form are tremendously effective for disease prevention. It is important to remember that whole fruits and veggies contain hundreds of different compounds, vitamins, anti-oxidants and fiber that probably work in concert to reduce risk. In other words, the dietary changes patients make along with exercise have been proven to reduce risk of chronic illness, but patients might be spending money on supplements hoping for the same result. It is not easy to change eating habits, but clearly the benefit lies in changing the composition of the diet and lifestyles.