Vitamins A, C and E May Slash Colon Cancer Risk

Sarah McGowan-Freije, NatureCity author & contributor

Taking supplements containing vitamins A, C, and E may significantly reduce the risk of colon cancer according to a large analysis by researchers at the Harvard Medical School.

The researchers published their findings in the September 2010 issue of Cancer Causes Control.

For the study the Harvard based researchers analyzed 13 separate studies on vitamins A, C and E with over 650,000 participants.

The researchers found that participants who consumed supplements containing vitamins A, C and E were between 24-30% less likely to develop colon cancer.

They noted that this significant association may be due to the fact that vitamins A, C and E lower destructive free radicals in the body which can harm cells and create cancer.

Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer. It is estimated that almost 150,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2009.

The good news is that previous studies have found other ways to decrease the risk of developing this often fatal cancer. Exercising regularly, eating more fruits and vegetables and even getting more vitamin D through your diet or a supplement have all been shown to potentially reduce the risk of colon cancer.