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Nutrients
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Vitamin/Mineral Intake and Dietary Quality in Relation to Cancer Risk
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Vitamin/Mineral Intake and Dietary Quality in Relation to Cancer Risk

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Micronutrients and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2026) | Viewed by 9478

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ronald B. Brown

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Interests: public health; nutritional epidemiology; grounded theory; theoretical biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dietary intake in relation to cancer and comorbid chronic conditions like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and bone mineral disorders is emerging as an important public health risk factor for cancer incidence and prevention. Vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, D, E, K, C, the B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, copper, selenium, etc., are essential dietary factors related to the quality of dietary intake. These essential dietary factors may also have important relationships with cancer risk through nutrient deficiencies and nutrient overload. Any studies and reviews that find correlations of specific vitamin/mineral intakes with cancer risk and comorbid conditions will be considered for publication in this Special Issue. Additionally, studies and reviews will be considered if they examine the role of vitamin/mineral intake in the quality of dietary patterns associated with cancer risk and comorbidities, such as the Mediterranean diet, ketogenic diet, high-protein diet, low-fat diet, plant-based diet, calorie restriction, fasting-mimicking diet, intermittent fasting, ultra-processed food, whole food, and organic food.

Dr. Ronald B. Brown
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • vitamins and minerals
  • cancer risk
  • dietary quality
  • nutrient deficiency and overload
  • dietary patterns
  • Mediterranean diet
  • ketogenic diet
  • high-protein diet
  • low-fat diet
  • plant-based diet
  • calorie restriction
  • fasting-mimicking diet
  • intermittent fasting
  • ultra-processed food
  • whole and organic food

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Review

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12 pages, 450 KB  
Review
Exploring Vitamin E’s Role in Colorectal Cancer Growth Using Rodent Models: A Scoping Review
by Nuraqila Mohd Murshid, Jo Aan Goon and Khaizurin Tajul Arifin
Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020289 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 621
Abstract
Background: Vitamin E has been studied for its role in reducing the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is a worldwide health concern. A meta-analysis reported that CRC patients have a lower concentration of serum vitamin E, suggesting it to be a risk [...] Read more.
Background: Vitamin E has been studied for its role in reducing the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is a worldwide health concern. A meta-analysis reported that CRC patients have a lower concentration of serum vitamin E, suggesting it to be a risk factor. Although rodent models are widely used in disease research, their application in studying vitamin E as a preventive or therapeutic agent in CRC is not well characterized. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review to examine the available evidence, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) for full-text English original articles published before May 2024, using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and free text. The following search string strategy was applied: (Vitamin E OR tocopherol$ OR tocotrienol$) AND (Colo$ cancer OR colo$ carcinoma) AND (Rodentia OR mouse OR Rodent$ OR mice OR murine OR rats OR guinea OR rabbit OR hamsters OR Animal model OR Animal testing OR animals) AND (neoplasm$ OR “tumor mass” OR tumor volume OR tumor weight OR tumor burden). Data were charted into five categories using a standardized, pretested form. The charted data were synthesized using descriptive and narrative methods. Conclusions: This study highlights that γ- and δ-tocopherols, as well as δ-tocotrienol and its metabolites, were reported to reduce tumor volume and formation in various rodent models. While these results are promising, this scoping review identifies a need for further research to address translational barriers such as dosing, bioavailability, and long-term safety before clinical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin/Mineral Intake and Dietary Quality in Relation to Cancer Risk)
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18 pages, 3354 KB  
Review
Melatonin and Vitamins: A Promising Combination to Augment Conventional Anticancer Therapies
by Wamidh H. Talib, Suha M. Sabri, Rawan W. Hadi, Viktória Prémusz and Tamás Beregi
Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3120; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193120 - 30 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5590
Abstract
Cancer remains a major global health challenge, requiring new adjunctive therapies. Integrative oncology, which combines conventional treatments with complementary agents, has gained attention for improving patient outcomes. Melatonin, a potent antioxidant and immunomodulator, has shown promise in cancer therapy. Recent evidence suggests that [...] Read more.
Cancer remains a major global health challenge, requiring new adjunctive therapies. Integrative oncology, which combines conventional treatments with complementary agents, has gained attention for improving patient outcomes. Melatonin, a potent antioxidant and immunomodulator, has shown promise in cancer therapy. Recent evidence suggests that combining melatonin with vitamins—particularly vitamin D, vitamin C, and vitamin E—may enhance its anticancer effects through synergistic mechanisms. Melatonin exerts anticancer effects by regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and immune responses. Vitamin D enhances immune modulation, while vitamins C and E provide antioxidant and cytoprotective benefits. Their combined action may improve tumor suppression and reduce treatment-induced toxicity. However, despite promising preclinical data, clinical studies on melatonin–vitamins synergy remain limited. This review explores the molecular interactions, current evidence, and research gaps in melatonin–vitamin combinations for cancer therapy. Future studies should focus on mechanistic insights, optimal dosing, and clinical trials to establish their role in integrative oncology. Unlocking this potential could enhance existing cancer treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin/Mineral Intake and Dietary Quality in Relation to Cancer Risk)
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Other

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15 pages, 1700 KB  
Hypothesis
Phosphorus Intake and Cancer Risk: A Theoretical–Conceptual Model and Hypothesis for Population-Study Replication
by Ronald B. Brown
Nutrients 2026, 18(8), 1177; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18081177 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 525
Abstract
Recent findings in nutritional epidemiology report an association between high dietary phosphorus intake and increased cancer risk. Building on the author’s analysis of breast cancer incidence in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), this paper presents a theoretical–conceptual model and [...] Read more.
Recent findings in nutritional epidemiology report an association between high dietary phosphorus intake and increased cancer risk. Building on the author’s analysis of breast cancer incidence in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), this paper presents a theoretical–conceptual model and a hypothesis to guide further population-study replication. To strengthen the initial SWAN analysis signal, a sensitivity analysis increased the number of controls in the nested case–control design from four to five per case. This adjustment modestly raised the relative risk (RR) of breast cancer incidence among middle-aged women consuming >1800 mg/day of dietary phosphorus (compared with 800–1000 mg/day) from RR: 2.30 to 2.38 (95% CI: 0.95–5.95; p = 0.06), improving statistical precision from the original p = 0.07. However, the result remains an exploratory pilot signal, not a confirmed association. Because clinical trials cannot ethically expose participants to potential harm from phosphate toxicity, a confirmed association relies on observational research. As in historical tobacco–cancer investigations, secondary analyses are needed across large cohort studies to examine dietary phosphorus intake and incidence of major cancer types. Relevant cohorts include the Nurses’ Health Study, Women’s Health Initiative, Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study, European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), and the Canadian Study of Diet, Lifestyle and Health. Effect estimates can be synthesized using meta-analytic methods following PRISMA-P 2015 guidelines. Dietary phosphate modification may offer a cancer prevention strategy with substantial public health impact and clinical implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin/Mineral Intake and Dietary Quality in Relation to Cancer Risk)
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12 pages, 940 KB  
Systematic Review
Zinc Status and Occurrence of Thyroid Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Aline Alves Soares, Yasmin Guerreiro Nagashima, Grasiela Piuvezam, Camila Xavier Alves, Kleyton Santos de Medeiros, Márcia Marília Gomes Dantas Lopes and Jose Brandao-Neto
Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2820; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172820 - 29 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2185
Abstract
Background and Objective: Thyroid cancer (TC) represents the most common group of endocrine tumors, and its incidence has increased over the last four decades. The imbalance of trace elements, such as zinc (Zn), has been investigated due to the thyroid’s sensitivity to [...] Read more.
Background and Objective: Thyroid cancer (TC) represents the most common group of endocrine tumors, and its incidence has increased over the last four decades. The imbalance of trace elements, such as zinc (Zn), has been investigated due to the thyroid’s sensitivity to these elements. Zn is essential for thyroid hormone action and may be involved in the pathogenesis of TC. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to contribute to the discussion on the association between low serum Zn concentrations and the occurrence of TC. Materials and Methods: The search was carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, LILACS and Web of Science databases, including observational studies published until December 2024. The primary outcome was low serum Zn concentration and the occurrence of TC. Three independent reviewers selected the studies and extracted the data from the original publications. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Data analysis was performed using R software (V.4.3.1), and heterogeneity was calculated using the I2 statistic, with results based on random effects models. Results: A total of 10 studies (n = 7 case–control and n = 3 cross-sectional) with sample sizes ranging from 44 to 294 individuals were included. The results indicated that serum Zn levels were not significantly lower in patients with TC compared with healthy controls (mean difference: −251.77; 95% confidence interval: −699.09, 195.54; I2 = 100%, very low certainty). Conclusions: Further investigations, including rigorously designed observational studies with representative samples and improved control of potential confounding variables are indispensable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin/Mineral Intake and Dietary Quality in Relation to Cancer Risk)
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