Nutritional supplements can be a convenient way of boosting the intake of specific healthy foods.
Unlike drugs, however, supplements do not need a medical licence. Health claims are governed by the European Food Standards agency (EFSA). Unscrupulous sellers bend the rules by using brand names (e.g. prost, immune, joint etc) which imply a benefit or include words such as "Research" in their company titles in an unethical ploy to mislead customers.
A review of the evidence shows that, although some can benefit others have no evidence or have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Three notable ingredients of concern, which have been seen in supplements tragetted at men with prostate cancer include:
