Link Between Vitamin A Deficiency and Cancer Cells Discovered

Vitamin A may be used to prevent prostate cancer, say University of York scientists.

Their research, published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, showed cancer cells are under control of a derivative of the vitamin, known as retinoic acid, the Daily Express reported.

They believe the research could lead to vitamin A as an anti-cancer treatment and generate new advice for people to ensure they include adequate levels of the nutrient in their diets.

Though the study was carried out on prostate cancer cells, Professor Norman Maitland, of Yorkshire Cancer Research, said it may apply to a number of other cancers.

“We hope vitamin A will be used to prevent prostate cancer and we also believe that a derivative of vitamin A could help destroy prostate cancer cells or make them more treatable once they have started to spread.

“Clinical trials based on this research could herald a new dawn in treatment for prostate cancer patients,” he added.

But he warned people not to rush out to buy vitamin A supplements, which could be toxic and even cancerous in high doses. Instead he advised people to take vitamin A in their daily diet, including oily fish, carrots, liver, red pepper and dark leafy vegetables.

Category: Education