Supplements are aptly named in that they should be used for exactly what their name implies, to supplement areas of your diet that may be lacking certain nutriments and vitamins. So rather than going out and stocking your cupboard so that it replicates a Dischem warehouse, remember to make a healthy diet your main priority.

While supplements are useful when a specific vitamin or mineral is lacking in your diet, consuming too much of a specific supplement can increase your risk of cancer.

What are supplements and when should I use them?

Supplements come in many shapes and forms, these include pills, capsules, powders, drinks, and snacks. They can be expensive and if used incorrectly, completely ineffective, and possibly even harmful, so make sure you aren’t literally, ‘flushing money down the toilet’.

Supplements are especially popular amongst athletes and those who work out, but there are many reasons as to why people would take supplements to improve their health, the main reason being to fill nutritional gaps and to provide an additional boost against illnesses which include cancer.

Note: Always be sure to check with a medical professional as to your recommended daily doses of any supplement. It’s also advisable that you check with a dietician and get tested to be certain of any vitamin deficiencies before you do more harm to your body than good.

What are the best supplements to lower the risk of cancer?

There are many types of cancer and different nutrients may have varying benefits when it comes to reducing your risk of getting cancer. However, these key supplements can work as allrounders and have multiple health benefits.

• Omega-3 fatty acids – Fish and healthy oils are frequently lacking in a western diet. These omega-3 fatty acids, found mainly in fish oil or flaxseed can aid in reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure.
  Inflammation is a major cancer concern because chronic inflammation can increase cell mutation, creating an environment that is more conducive to the development of cancer, therefore, a diet that includes omega-3 fatty acid supplements is crucial in the prevention of cancer.
• Garlic & Ginger – Your spouse may not thank us for this one, but garlic is another supplement that has powerful anti-cancer components. Acting as a natural antibiotic, anti-fungi and anti-viral, garlic has an abundance of beneficial properties. Garlic is also effective in slowing and reducing the spread of cancer cells and repairing damaged DNA.
  So, the next time your spouse tells you that you’ve gone a little heavy on the garlic, remind them that you’re fighting the good fight.
  Ginger and its cousin turmeric are both fantastic anti-inflammatories and have the added bonus of having anti-nausea properties. Be careful, however, when taking ginger supplements as they can be overly concentrated and can interfere with certain medications. It’s rather advised to consume a ginger tea or add natural fresh ginger to your meals.
• Green tea, Rooibos, or herbal teas – Speaking of teas, green tea and good old South African rooibos have demonstrated some remarkable qualities when it comes to preventing cancer.
  A far healthier alternative to coffee, these green teas have the caffeine kick you require to get through a tough workday but offer far more in the way of health benefits, particularly when it comes to warding off cancer. Research has shown that our very own rooibos tea contains compounds that may prevent tumour growth. However, people with hormone-sensitive cancers should avoid rooibos, as it can increase the production of the female hormone oestrogen.
• Vitamin D & E – While the sun is a great source of Vitamin D, we all know the associated risks of the sun when it comes to skin cancer. So, consider getting your daily dose of Vitamin D from egg yolk, fatty fish or as a supplement.
  Next up in the alphabet, we have Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that can drastically reduce the risk of prostate, colon, and lung cancer. The good news is that you can get the required amount of Vitamin E from some very tasty treats such as avocado, mango, kiwifruit, butternut, olive oil, almonds, spinach, and broccoli.