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Dietary Minerals and Cancer

Posted by Geoff Beaty on 28 August 2021
Dietary Minerals and Cancer

Several research studies have shown that people with cancer are often deficient in several minerals. I have found these inefficiencies with many types of cancer. Often this is related to gut health and a poor diet.

Within the range of magnesium intake, each 100 mg less of magnesium consumed resulted in an additional 24% increase in the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Again, who wouldn’t want to lower their risk of pancreatic cancer by 48% (or more) simply by adding more magnesium-rich foods to their diet? This shows that consuming at least the RDA (or DV) of magnesium each day is vitally important.

“Compared with those who met the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium intake, the multivariable-adjusted Hazard Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) for pancreatic cancer were 1.42 (0.91, 2.21) for those with magnesium intake between 75–99% RDA and 1.76 (1.04, 2.96) for those with magnesium intake <75% RDA. Every 100 mg per day decrement in magnesium intake with a 24% increase in the incidence of pancreatic cancer” – PubMed ID#PMC4705892 (2015)

I find the following study very interesting. Rather than just looking at one mineral, such as manganese, it looked at 13. What they found was women with breast cancer had lower levels of all 13 minerals when compared to women without breast cancer! They were especially excess in cadmium (Cd) and deficient in manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn).

“In conclusion, there was a significant difference in concentrations of all 13 elements in serum between breast cancer patients and controls. A combination among Cd, Mn, Fe, Cr, and Zn might be important to determine a differentiating reference for breast cancers if a long-term followed-up study is to be conducted.” – PubMed ID#17114811 (2006)

Author:Geoff Beaty
Tags:NewsNutritional SupplementsEvidence Based ResearchCancer

Associations

  • The Institute for Functional Medicine
  • Society for Integrative Oncology
  • Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia
  • Australian Traditional-Medicine Society
  • British Naturopathic Association