Abstract
By some recent estimates up to 30% of Americans routinely use some form of dietary supplement. In attempts to comply with government and public health messages about the health benefits of including fruits and vegetables in the diet many interpret this to include the use of vitamins, herbals, and other dietary supplements in addition to, or, as a substitute for fruits and vegetables. The use of herbal and botanical supplements has been meteoric, with sales approaching $4 billion in 1999. Gingko, St. John’s Wort, ginseng, garlic, echinacea, and saw palmetto are among the most popular herbs used in this country (1). While they may be consumed with the hopes of improving memory, combating depression, stimulating the immune system, and a plethora of other health benefits, it is increasingly likely that some herbal and botanical products may also have cancer preventive activities, as well. It is also estimated that as many as 1 in 2 cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in addition to, or following the failure of standard therapy (2).
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Wargovich, M.J. (2001). Herbals and Cancer. In: Nutrition and Cancer Prevention. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 492. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1283-7_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1283-7_15
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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