The British newspaper "Daily Express" revealed that scientists at the Karolinska Institute, a medical university leading research in Solna, Sweden, are concerned about vitamin and mineral supplements. Common antioxidants, like vitamin C, are considered safe when consumed through food, but additional supplements are now associated with the formation of new blood vessels in tumors. Professor Martin Bergou, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Nutrition at the institute, explained what his team discovered, stating: "We found that antioxidants activate the mechanism that causes cancer tumors to form new blood vessels, which is surprising because it was previously believed that antioxidants had a protective effect. The new blood vessels nourish the tumors and can help them grow and spread."
He added: "There is no need to fear the antioxidants found in normal food, but most people do not need additional amounts. In fact, it can be harmful for cancer patients and those at high risk of cancer." The team also found that antioxidants reduce levels of free oxygen radicals, but when additional amounts are introduced, the decrease in free radicals activates a protein called BACH1. This subsequently leads to the formation of new blood vessels, known as angiogenesis.
It has been found that vitamin A, C, selenium, and zinc all stimulate the formation of new blood vessels in lung cancer tumors. Scientists believe that these findings could apply to all types of cancer and might contribute to the spread of cancer throughout the body.
