Top 5 Vitamins that Protect Against Cancer

The best way to beat cancer naturally is to adopt a lifestyle to prevent it. Healthy, nutrient-rich food is an essential part of any anti-cancer plan. Here are my picks for the top 5 vitamins that help protect against cancer. Stay posted next week for the Top 5 Minerals that Help Protect Against Cancer.

1. Beta carotene
This precursor of Vitamin A is found in most orange and green vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and other leafy green vegetables. An amazing nutrient, it has been shown in research to protect the lungs against toxins that are linked to lung cancer.

Another study found that ex-smokers who ate green and yellow vegetables high in beta carotene daily decreased their risk of stomach and lung cancer.

2. Vitamin B6
This B-Vitamin is essential to maintain a healthy immune system and helps protect the respiratory tract from pollution and infection. In studies it has helped protect against cervical cancer. Vitamin B-6 is primarily found in carrots, apples, organ meats, bananas, leafy green vegetables, and sweet potatoes.

3. Vitamin C
One of the most well-researched nutrients, Vitamin C has shown great promise in the fight against cancer, both in prevention and disease-management. Consider a recent study in which forty patients with cancer of the breast, ovary, uterus, or cervix received large doses of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and other vitamins.

Another sixty-one patients with other kinds of cancer followed the same regime, while thirty-one patients received no vitamin supplements and served as the control group. The control group lived an average of 5.7 months. Of the others, 80 percent of the patients with cancer of the breast, ovary, uterus, or cervix had a mean survival time of 122 months; patients with other forms of cancer lived an average of 72 months. That translates into a length of life 13 to 21 times longer in those who used vitamin therapy.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kathy C.

10:14AM PDT on Oct 14, 2011

Vit D is good, but you want to monitor your levels (through bloodwork) to make sure your not over the the optimal level as the jury is still out on the effects of too much Vit. D. This comes from my oncologist.

send a green star

Susan S.

6:38PM PDT on Oct 13, 2011

Good info. Thanks.

Nicole G.

3:25PM PDT on Oct 13, 2011

Thanks!

Darla G.

12:49PM PDT on Oct 11, 2011

yeah vitamins from real food!
And yes to vitamin d

Eternal G.

6:02PM PDT on Sep 28, 2011

Thanks.

Margie B.

10:31PM PDT on Sep 15, 2011

Every one should take some form of vitamins daily, as we are not able to get all the vitamins we need just from our food.
I personally take a variety of vitamins daily and fiber capsules (very good for keeping cholesterol in balance.)

Dianne P.

7:19PM PDT on Sep 15, 2011

Someone mentioned that vitamin D was not included on the list and should be according to her doctor.
THAT is so TRUE. I have read issues from a magazine called NutritionAction. It is a non profit magazine that comes out bi-monthly and is very up to date and tests all nutrients.
Vitamin D is the most POWERFUL nutrient to guard against cancer and more. Calcium needs Vitamin D to be absorbed properly, so if you live in a colder climate as I do, make that your #1 nutrient and take it with milk etc.

Carol B.

11:03PM PDT on Sep 8, 2011

Fresh Veggies & fruits are the best way to get plenty of vitamins and minerals, as well as is fish and some lean meats.

Linda J.

8:08AM PDT on Sep 8, 2011

Veggies rule O.K!

Deepti P.

9:26PM PDT on Sep 7, 2011

thanx