Vitamin A supplementation could cut skin cancer risk

Popping a daily vitamin A pill not only helps skin to look beautiful, it could also give it vital protection. Research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology suggests that taking vitamin A supplements may reduce the risk of skin cancer by up to 40% in women.  While the study found that supplementation was strongly associated with a reduction in skin cancer, the scientists said there was no association with consumption of the vitamin in food, nor with beta-carotene, a pro-vitamin precursor to vitamin A.

This preliminary study points the way to vitamin A supplements becoming more widely recommended to augment our diet. This is particularly significant in light of a marked rise in people being treated for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer. According to UK researchers in another study due for publication in June, the incidence of BCC is estimated to be twice as high as previously thought.  Skin cancer is nearly as common as all other cancers in the body combined.

“Vitamin A has been shown to contribute to the maintenance of normal and healthy skin when applied both orally and topically, comments iiaa nutritional consultant Lorraine Perretta. “Taking nutrients orally is the normal way your body is used to getting vitamin A and this study indicates that supplementation rather than diet had the most important protective effect.

“We know from Department of Health reports that the diets of some 95% of women contain less than the European Community recommended daily allowance of vitamin A,“ adds Lorraine.

The risk reducing effect of supplemental vitamin A on melanoma risk was statistically significant only for high-dose users, who currently took more than 1200 µg daily. Notably there was no significance for former users, so clearly the habit of taking a daily dose is a good one to get into. Stores of vitamin A in the skin rise when vitamin A is consumed regularly over a prolonged period.

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Vit A supplement provides 1500 µg of vitamin A in one daily capsule. It costs £16.95 for 60 capsules, packed in a resealable pouch. It is part of a cutting edge range of supplements that support skincare regimes, enhancing topical approaches to skin health and overall wellbeing. The ingredients are scrupulously screened for quality and purity. The formulation does not contain wheat, gluten, yeast, dairy products, artificial colourings or flavourings, and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

For more information, visit advancednutritionprogramme.com.