Can Vitamin A help prevent cancer?

Having more Vitamin A in your body correlates with a lower risk of breast cancer. This finding has been replicated in multiple studies. Eating a diet that is high in Vitamin A has also been associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.

Professionally Reviewed by Charles Li, MD

the science

Vitamin A

Key Facts

Functions

Vitamin A

Key Facts

Type
Fat soluble
Source
Diet
Other Names
Retinol, retinyl ester

Appearance

Key Sources

Carrots

Sweet Potatoes

Spinach

Vitamin A

Functions

Vision

Vitamin A plays a key role in our black and white and night vision.

Immunity

Vitamin A helps your immune system fight off disease.

Cell Growth

Vitamin A helps your cells grow and develop properly, particularly in young children.

Key Findings

Vitamin A & Cancer

1. Vitamin A might help

Having more Vitamin A in your body correlates with a lower risk of breast cancer. This finding has been replicated in multiple studies.

2. Dietary Vitamin A is good for you

Eating a diet that is high in Vitamin A has also been associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.

3. Supplements might not help

However, Vitamin A in the form of supplements has not been shown to help. In fact, they've been shown to have negative effects in some studies.

Study 1

Vitamin A Levels & Cancer

More vitamin A = Lower risk

Scientists around the world have found that a higher level of Vitamin A in your bloodstream correlates with a significantly lower risk of breast cancer.

A pooled analysis of eight cohort studies found that Vitamin A levels in your blood correlate with your risk of breast cancer. Having a lot of vitamin A in the form of β-carotene correlates with a 17% lower risk of breast cancer. Having a lot of total carotenoids, which includes the pigments found in vegetables, correlates with a 19% lower risk of breast cancer.

Data Source

" This comprehensive prospective analysis suggests women with higher circulating levels of α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein+zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids may be at reduced risk of breast cancer."

Source: Circulating carotenoids and risk of breast cancer: pooled analysis of eight prospective studies

Study 2

Dietary Vitamin A vs. Cancer Risk

Carrots might help

When scientists asked participants to keep food diaries, they found that those who eat lots of carrots and other foods rich in Vitamin A had a slightly lower risk of developing breast cancer.

Dietary Vitamin A has only a weak association with reduced breast cancer risk. Those who report eating a lot of β-carotene, found in carrots, had a small but still significant reduction in breast cancer risk.

Data Source

"In this meta-analysis, no association was found between dietary intake of carotenoids and breast cancer risk, except for a weak reduction in risk with dietary β-carotene."

Source: Dietary compared with blood concentrations of carotenoids and breast cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

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Eye Health

Cancer

Measles

Study 3

Vitamin A Supplements & Cancer

3. Supplements may not help

However, when it comes to supplements, the picture is less clear. In the study below, scientists found that Vitamin A supplements given over 12 years had no effect in preventing cancer or deaths from cancers in over 22,000 men. This may be a specific finding for men, or it may show that vitamin A diets are more helpful than vitamin A supplements.

A clinical trial found that Vitamin A supplements in the form of β-carotene did not reduce cancer risk or cancer deaths in a clinical trial. 22,071 Male Physicians were given supplements over 12 years to see whether it would reduce their risk of cancer in a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial. Results showed no significant differences.

Data Source

"In this trial among healthy men, 12 years of supplementation with beta carotene produced neither benefit nor harm in terms of the incidence of malignant neoplasms, cardiovascular disease, or death from all causes. "

Source: Lack of effect of long-term supplementation with beta carotene on the incidence of malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular disease

The bottom line

Vitamin A & Cancer

Eat lots of carrots and vegetables. Research has consistently shown that those who eat lots of vitamin A and other carotenoids from vegetables have a lower risk of cancer. However, there isn't enough evidence yet to support taking Vitamin A supplements. As with many things in nutrition, you can't replace the benefits of healthy food with a pill yet.

What are carotenoids

"Approximately 600 unique carotenoids can be found in plant species, as well as select species of algae and fungi. In plants and animals, carotenoids serve as pigments, responsible for the varied and vivid colors present in nature. "

Can Diet Help Prevent Cancer?

"You can reduce your chances of developing cancer and several chronic diseases by making healthy food choices. A diet rich in plant foods, whole grains and legumes can give your body the range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it needs to stay healthy. "

What is a clinical trial?

"Clinical trials are a type of research that studies new tests and treatments and evaluates their effects on human health outcomes. People volunteer to take part in clinical trials to test medical interventions including drugs, cells and other biological products, surgical procedures, radiological procedures, devices, behavioural treatments and preventive care. "