Monday, April 6, 2026

Vitamin B3 Supplements May Aid Cancer Cell Survival, Warn Scientists

A new study has questions about popular NAD+ supplements in cancer treatment. These supplements are taken by many people in America to feel more energetic and support healthy aging. They increase levels of NAD+, a molecule that helps cells in the body.

Some cancer patients use these supplements to help with side effects from chemotherapy, which is a type of cancer treatment. However, research suggests this may not be a good idea.

A study from Case Western Reserve University shows that these supplements might help pancreatic cancer cells survive treatment. Pancreatic cancer is very serious, having a low survival rate of just 13% after five years.

The study found that these supplements can give energy to cancer cells. This energy helps the cancer cells escape damage from treatment. In tests, the supplements protected cancer cells from common chemotherapy drugs.

The researchers warn that these supplements may be risky for cancer patients. They suggest that patients talk with their doctors about any supplements they take. More studies are needed to understand these effects better.

Test Your Understanding

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

supplements/ˈsʌpləmənts/noun
extra vitamins or products people take for health

chemotherapy/ˌkɛməˈθɛrəpi/noun
medicine treatment to kill cancer cells

pancreatic/ˌpæŋkriˈætɪk/adjective
related to the pancreas, a body organ

molecule/ˈmɑləˌkjul/noun
very small piece of a chemical substance

survive/sɚˈvaɪv/verb
continue to live after being in danger

researchers/rɪˈsɝtʃərz/noun
people who study and test to learn

How much do you know?

What is the primary purpose of NAD+ supplements according to the study?
To improve digestion
To support healthy aging
To cure cancer
To increase appetite
What type of cancer did the study from Case Western Reserve University focus on?
Breast cancer
Lung cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
What is the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer mentioned in the study?
30%
50%
13%
25%
According to the researchers, what should cancer patients do regarding supplements?
Stop taking all supplements
Discuss with their doctors
Take more supplements
Ignore their side effects
What effect do NAD+ supplements have on cancer cells according to the study?
They kill cancer cells
They provide energy to cancer cells
They flush out toxins
They make patients feel sick
What should be conducted to understand the effects of NAD+ supplements better?
More studies
No studies
Less research
More patient surveys
NAD+ supplements are only used for improving digestion.
The study suggests that NAD+ supplements may be risky for cancer patients.
Pancreatic cancer has a high survival rate of 50% after five years.
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment.
The study claims that NAD+ supplements can harm cancer cells.
Research indicates that NAD+ supplements help cancer cells escape chemotherapy damage.
Many people take NAD+ supplements in America to feel more energetic and support healthy aging. They increase levels of NAD+, a molecule that helps cells in the .
Some cancer patients use these supplements to help with side effects from .
The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just %.
The study found that these supplements can give to cancer cells.
Researchers warn that these supplements may be risky for cancer .
More studies are needed to understand these better.
This question is required

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
supplements/ˈsʌpləmənts/noun
extra vitamins or products people take for health
chemotherapy/ˌkɛməˈθɛrəpi/noun
medicine treatment to kill cancer cells
pancreatic/ˌpæŋkriˈætɪk/adjective
related to the pancreas, a body organ
molecule/ˈmɑləˌkjul/noun
very small piece of a chemical substance
survive/sɚˈvaɪv/verb
continue to live after being in danger
researchers/rɪˈsɝtʃərz/noun
people who study and test to learn

How much do you know?

What is the primary purpose of NAD+ supplements according to the study?
To improve digestion
To support healthy aging
To cure cancer
To increase appetite
What type of cancer did the study from Case Western Reserve University focus on?
Breast cancer
Lung cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
What is the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer mentioned in the study?
30%
50%
13%
25%
According to the researchers, what should cancer patients do regarding supplements?
Stop taking all supplements
Discuss with their doctors
Take more supplements
Ignore their side effects
What effect do NAD+ supplements have on cancer cells according to the study?
They kill cancer cells
They provide energy to cancer cells
They flush out toxins
They make patients feel sick
What should be conducted to understand the effects of NAD+ supplements better?
More studies
No studies
Less research
More patient surveys
NAD+ supplements are only used for improving digestion.
The study suggests that NAD+ supplements may be risky for cancer patients.
Pancreatic cancer has a high survival rate of 50% after five years.
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment.
The study claims that NAD+ supplements can harm cancer cells.
Research indicates that NAD+ supplements help cancer cells escape chemotherapy damage.
Many people take NAD+ supplements in America to feel more energetic and support healthy aging. They increase levels of NAD+, a molecule that helps cells in the .
Some cancer patients use these supplements to help with side effects from .
The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just %.
The study found that these supplements can give to cancer cells.
Researchers warn that these supplements may be risky for cancer .
More studies are needed to understand these better.
This question is required

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