Pancreatic cancer
Supplements studied for pancreatic cancer.
Overview
Supplement evidence for pancreatic cancer prevention is mostly low-rated. Vitamin E (WA 40; very low effect size, high evidence, medium trust) alone or with other antioxidants did not reduce risk in available studies. Black Tea (WA 40; low effect size, evidence, and trust) and Green Tea (WA 48; low effect size, medium evidence, medium trust) show inconsistent associations across populations, with some studies finding no link and one suggesting possible benefit.
Quercetin (WA 44; low effect size, low evidence, medium trust) and Selenium (WA 48; low effect size, medium evidence, medium trust) have conflicting observational findings without clear supplement benefit. No supplement has reliable preventive evidence.
The heatmap and evidence reviews below provide study-level detail.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
14 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Green TeaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if drinking green tea helps prevent pancreatic cancer.
- Large studies show no consistent link between drinking a lot of green tea and lower risk of pancreatic cancer, but one study suggests there might be a benefit.This aformentioned study in Shanghai looked at people with colon, rectal, and pancreatic cancer and found that those who drank the most green tea had a lower chance of these cancers compared to people who didn’t regularly drink tea.
- The strongest benefits were seen for rectal and pancreatic cancer.
Browse 2 studies
MetaGreen tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer2020n=1,795
A Cochrane review found very low-certainty evidence that green tea may reduce some cancer risks, with no clear effect on overall cancer incidence.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Participants
- 1,795
ObservationalGreen tea consumption and the risk of pancreatic and colorectal cancers1997n=1
In a Shanghai case-control study, green tea consumption was associated with lower colon and rectal cancer risk but not pancreatic cancer risk.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 300 g/day
- Population
- Pancreatic cancer patients
- Participants
- 1
- Ages
- 30–74
SeleniumView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Studies disagree on whether taking selenium reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Some research shows people who consume more selenium have a lower chance of getting this cancer, but other studies find no difference.
- At this time, there is no clear evidence that selenium supplements help prevent pancreatic cancer.
Browse 2 studies·1 meta-analysis
ObservationalSerum selenium and pancreatic cancer: a prospective study in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Trial cohort2019n=606
In 303 pancreatic cancer cases from PLCO, prediagnostic serum selenium was not associated with pancreatic cancer risk in this nested case-control analysis.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 606
- Ages
- 55–70
MetaAssociation between selenium intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies2016
A meta-analysis of 6 observational studies (1424 pancreatic cancer cases) found highest versus lowest selenium intake associated with 34% lower pancreatic cancer risk.
Vitamin AView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Some studies suggest that eating more vitamin A may lower the risk of pancreatic cancer, but only in case-studies from hospitals and European studies.
- Taking vitamin A supplements with beta-carotene does not seem to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Browse 2 studies·2 meta-analyses
MetaThe association between dietary vitamin A intake and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 11 studies2016n=2,705
A meta-analysis of 2705 participants found that the RR (95% CI) of pancreatic cancer for highest category of vitamin A intake compared with lowest category was 0.839 (95% CI=0.712-0.988) with low heterogeneity detected (I 2 =17.8%, P heterogeneity =0.274).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Participants
- 2,705
MetaAntioxidant supplements for prevention of gastrointestinal cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis2004n=170
A meta-analysis of 14 gastrointestinal cancer prevention trials found antioxidant supplements including selenium did not reduce GI cancer incidence and beta-carotene increased mortality in high-quality trials.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Participants
- 170
QuercetinView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if taking quercetin by mouth helps prevent pancreatic cancer.
- Some population studies suggest that eating foods high in quercetin might lower the risk of pancreatic cancer, especially in men who smoke.
- More research is needed to confirm this.
Browse 2 studies
RCTFlavonoid intake and risk of pancreatic cancer in male smokers (Finland)2008
In male smokers, higher flavonoid intake was linked to lower pancreatic cancer risk among placebo recipients but not among those taking alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 50 mg/day
- Ages
- 50–69
ObservationalFlavonols and pancreatic cancer risk: the multiethnic cohort study2007n=183,518
In 183,518 adults over 8 years, higher flavonol intake was associated with 23% lower pancreatic cancer risk overall and stronger reductions in current smokers.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 years
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 183,518
Black TeaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear whether drinking black tea affects the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- A study of Japanese men found no difference in risk between those who drank more than one cup of black tea daily and those who rarely drank it.
- However, another study in Polish men found that drinking tea more often over a lifetime was linked to a lower risk of pancreatic cancer.
- More research is needed to know if black tea can reduce pancreatic cancer risk.
Browse 2 studies
ObservationalCigarette smoking, alcohol, tea and coffee consumption and pancreas cancer risk: a case-control study from Opole, Poland1993
In an Opole, Poland case-control study, lifetime tea consumption showed a strongly significant inverse trend with pancreatic cancer risk (p<0.001 among directly interviewed subjects); alcohol showed null associations.
- Effect
- Benefit
ObservationalBlack tea consumption and cancer risk: a prospective study1986
In 7,833 Japanese-American men, black tea intake >1/day was associated with 4.2-fold higher rectal cancer risk (P=0.0007) but 44% lower prostate cancer risk (P=0.020); no significant associations at other sites.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Men
LycopeneView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research suggests that eating more foods rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes, may lower the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- People who consumed the most had about a 31% lower risk than those who ate the least.
Browse 1 study
ObservationalDietary intake of lycopene is associated with reduced pancreatic cancer risk2005
A Canadian case-control study of 462 pancreatic cancer cases and 4,721 controls found men in the highest lycopene intake quartile had 31% lower pancreatic cancer risk (OR 0.69) vs lowest quartile.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
Oleic AcidView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if taking oleic acid helps prevent pancreatic cancer.
- Most studies find no link between oleic acid intake and pancreatic cancer risk.
- One large study found that people with overweight or obesity who consumed about 24 grams or more daily had about a 71% lower risk compared to those who ate the least.
- The effects of oleic acid supplements are unknown.
Browse 1 study
ObservationalDietary oleic acid is inversely associated with pancreatic cancer - Data from food diaries in a cohort study2018n=23,658
In 23,658 EPIC-Norfolk participants (88 pancreatic cancers), higher dietary oleic acid intake was inversely associated with pancreatic cancer risk, especially in non-obese participants.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 23,658
- Ages
- 40–74
Vitamin DView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Evidence is insufficient for this condition.
Browse 1 study
ObservationalVitamin D intake and the risk for pancreatic cancer in two cohort studies2006n=75,427
In two US cohorts totaling 122,198 adults followed up to 2000, higher dietary vitamin D intake was associated with lower pancreatic cancer risk.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 600 IU/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 75,427
- Ages
- 38–75
Vitamin EView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Studies show that using vitamin E alone or with other antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin C does not reduce pancreatic cancer risk.
Browse 3 studies·2 meta-analyses
MetaThe role of vitamin E in the prevention of cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2007n=67,025
A meta-analysis of 12 RCTs (167,025 participants) found vitamin E did not reduce total mortality or overall cancer but lowered prostate cancer incidence (RR 0.85).
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 67,025
MetaAntioxidant supplements for prevention of gastrointestinal cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis2004n=170
A meta-analysis of 14 gastrointestinal cancer prevention trials found antioxidant supplements including selenium did not reduce GI cancer incidence and beta-carotene increased mortality in high-quality trials.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Participants
- 170
RCTThe effects of supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene on the incidence and mortality of carcinoma of the pancreas in a randomized, controlled trial1999n=51
In an RCT of 51 participants, 50 mg/day, supplementation with alpha-tocopherol (n = 51) increased the rate of incidence by 34% (95% CI, -12% to 105%) compared with the rate for those who did not receive alpha-tocopherol.
- Dose
- 50 mg/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 51
- Ages
- 50–69
Vitamin KView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if eating vitamin K affects the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- A large study found that eating more vitamin K2 from foods did not reduce the chance of getting pancreatic cancer, but those who ate more vitamin K1 had about a 40% lower risk compared with those who ate the least.
Browse 1 study
ObservationalDietary Vitamin K Intake and the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Prospective Study of 101,695 American Adults2021n=101,695
In an observational study of 101,695 participants, in conclusion, dietary intakes of phylloquinone and dihydrophylloquinone, but not menaquinones, confer a lower risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 101,695
LuteinView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research that combined results from several studies shows that eating more lutein or zeaxanthin does not lower the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- It is not clear if lutein supplements make any difference.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
MetaAssociation between intake of antioxidants and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis2016
A meta-analysis found higher dietary selenium, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin were associated with lower pancreatic cancer risk; lutein/zeaxanthin showed no significant association.
- Effect
- No Benefit
ZeaxanthinView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not clear if taking zeaxanthin by mouth helps prevent pancreatic cancer.
- Studies show that eating more zeaxanthin and lutein does not lower the risk of this cancer.
- The benefits of zeaxanthin supplements for pancreatic cancer prevention are unknown.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
MetaAssociation between intake of antioxidants and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis2016
A meta-analysis found higher dietary selenium, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin were associated with lower pancreatic cancer risk; lutein/zeaxanthin showed no significant association.
- Effect
- No Benefit
CalciumView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- The association between calcium intake and pancreatic cancer risk remains unclear.
- Higher calcium intake from the diet is not associated with a reduction in pancreatic cancer risk however more studies are needed.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
ObservationalCalcium Intake and the Pancreatic Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies2024
A meta-analysis of 8 observational studies found higher total calcium intake associated with 17% lower pancreatic cancer risk; dietary calcium alone was not significant.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Healthy adults
CurcuminView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- No summary is available.
Browse 1 study
Clinical trialPhase II trial of curcumin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer2008
A study of 21 advanced pancreatic cancer patients found 8 g/day curcumin, whilst poorly absorbed (detected clinical biological activity in 2 patients), resulted in a brief tumor regression (73%) and an increase in serum cytokine levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-1 receptor antagonists in 1 patient.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 8 g/day
- Population
- Healthy adults
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin E | ★★★★★40% | 3 | 2 | 14% |
| Black Tea | ★★★★★40% | 2 | 0 | 10% |
| Green Tea | ★★★★★48% | 2 | 0 | 10% |
| Quercetin | ★★★★★44% | 2 | 0 | 10% |
| Selenium | ★★★★★48% | 2 | 1 | 10% |
| Vitamin A | ★★★★★48% | 2 | 2 | 10% |
| Calcium | ★★★★★28% | 1 | 1 | 5% |
| Curcumin | ★★★★★28% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Lutein | ★★★★★36% | 1 | 1 | 5% |
| Lycopene | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Oleic Acid | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Vitamin K | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Zeaxanthin | ★★★★★36% | 1 | 1 | 5% |