Abstract: This research report aims to compare the benefits of consuming vitamins, multivitamins, and minerals with the intake of physiologically relevant doses of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, apples, inulin, and fisetin in preventing or treating cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Recent meta-analyses are reviewed to establish the efficacy of both approaches.
Introduction: Cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been major global health challenges. While supplementation with vitamins and minerals has been popular for years, emerging research points towards the significance of phytonutrients found in natural food sources in the prevention and management of these diseases.
Supplementation: Multivitamin and mineral supplements are widely consumed. However, their benefits in preventing chronic diseases have been inconsistent.
Fortmann et al. (2013) conducted a meta-analysis of vitamin and mineral supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. They concluded that there was no sufficient evidence to suggest that supplementation with multivitamins, vitamin C, or vitamin E was effective in preventing CVD (Fortmann, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159:824-834).
Another meta-analysis by Jenkins et al. (2018) found that most supplements did not reduce the risk of mortality or incidence of cardiovascular diseases (Jenkins, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;71:2570-2584).
Moreover, excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals through supplements can be harmful. For instance, Bjelakovic et al. (2012) in their meta-analysis found that antioxidant supplements may increase mortality (Bjelakovic, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(3):CD007176).
Phytonutrients: Phytonutrients like anthocyanins in blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and polyphenols in apples, along with inulin and fisetin, are associated with anti-carcinogenic and cardioprotective effects.
A review by Wedick et al. (2012) demonstrated that higher consumption of anthocyanins was associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (Wedick, et al. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012;2012: 851362).
Seeram et al. (2006) found that berries, rich in ellagitannins and anthocyanins, have shown chemopreventive properties in models of cancer (Seeram, et al. J Agric Food Chem. 2006;54: 932–938).
Inulin, a prebiotic fiber, has been shown to have beneficial effects on gut microbiota and reduce cancer risk (Roberfroid, M. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2007;47: 397–409).
Fisetin, a flavonoid, has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic properties (Khan, et al. Eur J Pharmacol. 2013;723: 152-161).
Discussion: The current literature indicates that phytonutrients found in natural sources such as berries and apples can have more consistent beneficial effects in preventing cancer and CVD compared to vitamin and mineral supplements. Furthermore, there is growing evidence to suggest that excessive intake of vitamins and minerals through supplements might be harmful, while phytonutrients can provide a safer and more effective alternative.
There is also the added benefit that fruits like blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and apples are rich in fiber and other essential nutrients, which contribute to general health and well-being. Furthermore, phytonutrients like inulin play a significant role in gut health, which has been linked to reduced risks of cancer and CVD.
Conclusion: The literature reviewed in this report suggests that consumption of natural sources of phytonutrients, such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, apples, inulin, and fisetin, may provide more consistent benefits in the prevention and management of cancer and cardiovascular diseases compared to supplementation with vitamins and minerals.
Supplementation with vitamins and minerals, especially in high doses, lacks consistent evidence for efficacy and can sometimes be harmful. In contrast, phytonutrients found in fruits have been associated with anti-carcinogenic and cardioprotective effects.
Recommendations:
- Individuals should be encouraged to consume a diet rich in fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and apples, as part of a balanced diet.
- The consumption of dietary fibers such as inulin and flavonoids like fisetin should be promoted.
- Supplementation with vitamins and minerals should be approached with caution, and individuals should be advised to consult healthcare professionals for personalized recommendations.
Future Research: Further research and studies are needed to understand the long-term effects of phytonutrients in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. There should be a focus on identifying optimal doses and understanding the synergistic effects of different phytonutrients. Additionally, more research is needed to establish the contexts in which vitamin and mineral supplementation could be beneficial.
Disclaimer: This report is meant for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. Consultation with healthcare professionals is essential for individual health-related decisions.
References:
- Fortmann SP, et al. Vitamin and mineral supplements in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: An updated systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159:824-834.
- Jenkins DJA, et al. Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for CVD Prevention and Treatment. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;71:2570-2584.
- Bjelakovic G, et al. Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(3):CD007176.
- Wedick NM, et al. Dietary flavonoid intakes and risk of type 2 diabetes in US men and women. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012;2012: 851362.
- Seeram NP, et al. Blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and strawberry extracts inhibit growth and stimulate apoptosis of human cancer cells in vitro. J Agric Food Chem. 2006;54:932-938.
- Roberfroid M. Inulin-type fructans: functional food ingredients. J Nutr. 2007;137:2493S-2502S.
- Khan N, et al. Fisetin: A dietary antioxidant for health promotion. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2013;19(2):151-162.