supplement to improve their heart, brain, and metabolism. It’s also believed to boost energy and help people feel healthier overall.
But a recent study from the University of Missouri shows that this popular supplement might have some serious risks. The researchers found that high levels of NR could increase the chance of developing triple-negative breast cancer, which is one of the most dangerous and fast-growing types of breast cancer.
Even more troubling, the study found that NR might help this type of cancer spread to the brain. When cancer spreads to the brain, it becomes much harder to treat. There are very few treatment options for brain cancer, and survival rates go down.
NR is known for giving cells more energy. This is usually seen as a good thing. But cancer cells also need a lot of energy to grow and spread. That’s why the researchers wanted to look into whether NR could be feeding cancer cells and helping them get stronger.
They studied how NR acts in different cells—cancer cells, immune cells, and healthy cells. They discovered that NR might give cancer cells extra energy, making it easier for them to grow quickly and move to other parts of the body, including the brain.
This research is a reminder that just because a supplement is sold as healthy doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. While NR might have some health benefits, it could also carry risks, especially for people with certain health conditions or those who are at risk of cancer.
The researchers hope that this new information will help lead to better treatments. In the future, doctors might be able to block the harmful effects of NR in cancer cells. This could make treatments like chemotherapy work better.
The study also shows how important it is to focus on personalized medicine. Not all cancers are the same, and they can behave differently from one person to another. Sometimes cancer changes how it uses energy, especially before or after treatment. Understanding these differences can help doctors design better treatment plans for each patient.
This important study was led by Elena Goun and published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics. It shows why we need more research on dietary supplements, even the ones that seem safe. What helps one person might harm another, so it’s important to be careful and informed before taking new supplements.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and new way to increase the longevity of cancer survivors.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to fight cancer with these anti-cancer superfoods, and results showing daily vitamin D3 supplementation may reduce cancer death risk.
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