There is no evidence that vitamin supplements reduce the risk of cancer. Another challenge results from the common practice of feeding animal wastes to livestock, an effective means of eliminating 1.6 million tons of livestock wastes produced annually in the U.S. Pathogenic Salmonella and E coli bacteria can be spread by this procedure. Use of animal wastes as feed also allows the possibility for antibiotic resistant bacteria to spread from one animal to another. The proanthocyanidin pigments in cranberry juice prevent E. coli bacteria from colonizing the urinary tract. The protective pigments are also found in blueberries.
Folic acid is obtained from fruits, vegetables, beans and fortified grain products.
The active component of the herb is hypericin. Wort may not be evident until two to three months after beginning the treatment.