Folic acid and B vitamins are OK, but they're not cancer fighters

Take those folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 supplements every day if you want, just don't expect them to lower your cancer risk.

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School analyzed data from a study of 5,442 women age 42 and older who were at high risk of cardiovascular disease and who had taken a daily combination of the three supplments or a placebo for more than seven years.

The supplements are crucial in DNA synthesis, repair and general functioning, which suggests higher levels of them could lower cancer risk. Some observational studies had supported this notion. But the research has been far from definitive, with one study even suggesting a negative effect.

So the researchers went looking through data from the Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study, which assessed effects of the supplements on cardiovascular disease. This time, the analysis was meant to find differences in breast cancer or invasive cancer among participants. And it turned up ... not much.

Specifically, 187 women in the supplement group developed cancer, compared to 192 in the placebo group, a difference not considered significant.

Said the researchers in their conclusion, published Nov. 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Assn.:

"Treatment with combined folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 provided neither beneficial nor harmful effects on overall risk of total cancer, breast cancer or deaths from cancer among women at high risk for CVD."

For what it's worth, the study assessing the supplements' effects on cardiovascular disease didn't find much either.

-- Tami Dennis

Photo: Folic acid is found in leafy greens, eggs and beans -- and supplements. Many grain products are now fortified with it as well. Credit: Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Kinga Barry]

The only way to "fight" cancer then is to put on sunglasses and watch a depleted uranium explosion (going now at this very minute someplace in the Middle East.) This will assure a cancer "victim" of enough exposure to radiation that the doctors tell us is one of only three ways to "fight" cancer. After thus burning the patient, the next step is to pump him or her with enough poison to make them lose their hai or constantly vomit,(as a sign of toxicity,) and then maybe cut them up a bit, or a lot, to bleed the devils out of them. All the while in the hospital pump them with sugar water (no vitamins please,) tranquilizers and other mind numbing drugs, (no vitamins or minerals or nutrients necessary of course. )Then sit back and say: there is nothing else we can do. At this point no vitamins would not help anyway.

[RK]

Well, Kinga Barry, what else can we do? Do you have any magical cancer fighting incantations we can cast over cancer patients?

[David]

I assume the B vitamins studied here don't include Amygdalin which is sometimes referred to as "Vitamin B17" although this isn't an official title.
Unlike the normal B vitamins this does have circumstantial evidence of preventing (not curing) cancer. The evidence for this being that cultures that eat food containing the highest high levels of Amygdalin do not have any cancer, except in those people who have adopted a western diet.
It would be more profitable if the researchers looked at correlations between the amount of Amygdalin in people’s diets and the risk of cancer.

David

[marie]

Once again, the big picture is ignored. My suspicion is that the other half of the cancer equation, toxins, must also be addressed for the folic acid and B vitamins to be of any use. If one has a food sensitivity such as gluten intolerance which drastically alters the permeability of the intestinal membrane, not only will that person be exposed to increased toxicity, but they will also be malnourished with a shortage of among other things, B vitamins and folic acid. This is only one scenario--there are many which increase intestinal permeability and therefore exposure to exogenous toxins and increased risk of cancer. We must look at the whole story. Once (all) the permeability issues are addressed, the best sources of B's and folic acid are leafy greens and lean proteins. Flora and enzymes must also be restored. It's just not that simple.

[HealthyTips Girl]

I read the study and the dosage amounts are pathetic. Do a study with decent dosages that will produce results. Especially the B12, which I have had great results with.It is a prescription but not in Canada, that’s where I get it from and a lot cheaper, pills don't work that great, injections are best. Not all B12 is created equal, so beware; you want to use CYANOCOBALAMIN INJECTION USP in 1000mcg version. Buy it in 30ml bottles for best value, keep it at room temperature and away from light, so keep it in the little box it comes in. Usually the product has a year shelf life.
I will share a link from the best place my clients have gotten it from and it is on line http://www.b12-shot.com
I normally don't share links but this is going into your body so get it from a good place, Canada has the highest quality stuff out there and I have used this place numerous times myself, always was a fresh batch with long expire date.
Vitamin B-12 helps make red blood cells and keeps your nervous system working properly. B12 also great for energy, weight loss, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, muscle ache, MS, AIDS etc......

[R.Shaw]

It is important that people are not discouraged from taking folate and B vitamins as deficiencies can still cause health problems. A deficiency of folate most notably contributes to neural tube defects in the unborn of pregnant women. Deficiency can also lead to anemia, mental concentration and memory, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and loss of appetite. Dark green leafy vegetables and pulses are good food sources of folate however the amount absorbed from supplements is better.

Symptoms of B6 deficiency include muscle weakness, poor appetite, increased susceptibility to infection due to lowered immunity and dermatitis. In an unborn child, development of the nervous system can be affected and in pregnancy a deficiency can contribute to morning sickness, water retention and pre-eclampsia. Good food sources of Vitamin B6 include meat, fish, eggs, milk and whole grains.

Deficiency of Vitamin B12 contributes to mental and nervous system impairment, anemia, lowered production of white blood cells needed to fight infection, digestive symptoms such as nausea and loss of appetite and can increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Good food sources of Vitamin B12 include meat, fish, eggs and dairy foods.

[jdlaughead]

B-12 is a very powerful Vitamin, and the only Vitamin that has a mineral in it, Cobalt 4.3%. The dosage given in shots, is very low, only 1000mcg, which is only 43mcg of cobalt. I feel if you would give 30,000 to 40,000mcg in shots, it would destroy alot of cancer cells in the blood. I find that Nasal B-12 for the Influenza and the cold is very effective, and have used it for the last 20 years.
www.popsci.com/node/22953 you will find the formula. I don't know what medical Research is doing, but they arn't doing much research with High dosages of Cobaltium. I don't think they want to hurt the one and a half Trillion Cold & Flu racket.

[sbs]

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