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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Netch on November 19, 2009, at 8:06:56
New study shows increased risk of cancer from folate and B12 supplements:
"Cancer Incidence and Mortality After Treatment With Folic Acid and Vitamin B12
Context Recently, concern has been raised about the safety of folic acid, particularly in relation to cancer risk.
Objective To evaluate effects of treatment with B vitamins on cancer outcomes and all-cause mortality in 2 randomized controlled trials.
Design, Setting, and Participants Combined analysis and extended follow-up of participants from 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials (Norwegian Vitamin Trial and Western Norway B Vitamin Intervention Trial). A total of 6837 patients with ischemic heart disease were treated with B vitamins or placebo between 1998 and 2005, and were followed up through December 31, 2007.
Interventions Oral treatment with folic acid (0.8 mg/d) plus vitamin B12 (0.4 mg/d) and vitamin B6 (40 mg/d) (n = 1708); folic acid (0.8 mg/d) plus vitamin B12 (0.4 mg/d) (n = 1703); vitamin B6 alone (40 mg/d) (n = 1705); or placebo (n = 1721).
Main Outcome Measures Cancer incidence, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality.
Results During study treatment, median serum folate concentration increased more than 6-fold among participants given folic acid. After a median 39 months of treatment and an additional 38 months of posttrial observational follow-up, 341 participants (10.0%) who received folic acid plus vitamin B12 vs 288 participants (8.4%) who did not receive such treatment were diagnosed with cancer (hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.41; P = .02). A total of 136 (4.0%) who received folic acid plus vitamin B12 vs 100 (2.9%) who did not receive such treatment died from cancer (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.07-1.79; P = .01). A total of 548 patients (16.1%) who received folic acid plus vitamin B12 vs 473 (13.8%) who did not receive such treatment died from any cause (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04-1.33; P = .01). Results were mainly driven by increased lung cancer incidence in participants who received folic acid plus vitamin B12. Vitamin B6 treatment was not associated with any significant effects.
Conclusion Treatment with folic acid plus vitamin B12 was associated with increased cancer outcomes and all-cause mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease in Norway, where there is no folic acid fortification of foods."
JAMA. 2009;302(19):2119-2126.
Posted by linkadge on November 19, 2009, at 8:21:45
In reply to Folate and B12 increase risk of cancer, posted by Netch on November 19, 2009, at 8:06:56
There wasn't much difference between the two groups. I'd need to see more studies like this to be concerned. I've seen other studies where folic acid supplementation lowers the risk of certain cancers.
Linkadge
Posted by Netch on November 19, 2009, at 8:50:40
In reply to Re: Folate and B12 increase risk of cancer, posted by linkadge on November 19, 2009, at 8:21:45
> There wasn't much difference between the two groups. I'd need to see more studies like this to be concerned. I've seen other studies where folic acid supplementation lowers the risk of certain cancers.
>
> Linkadge38 percent is a relative number
Posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2009, at 10:47:48
In reply to Re: Folate and B12 increase risk of cancer, posted by Netch on November 19, 2009, at 8:50:40
Seems everything causes cancer and if b vitamins are water soluble doesn't the body excrete what you don't need? Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on November 19, 2009, at 21:43:01
In reply to Re: Folate and B12 increase risk of cancer, posted by linkadge on November 19, 2009, at 8:21:45
might depend on what form of folate, there was the thing about folic acid inhibiting activity of methylated folate, which is more active
Also, i think green tea can act to reduce activity of dihydrofolate reductase, and folate is just as important for cancer as it is for regular cells. i think this was mainly relevent for breast cancers
-d/r
Posted by Netch on November 20, 2009, at 5:21:57
In reply to Re: Folate and B12 increase risk of cancer, posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2009, at 10:47:48
> Seems everything causes cancer and if b vitamins are water soluble doesn't the body excrete what you don't need? Phillipa
Everything might be lethal in someway or another but everything is not cancerous. Dosage will set blood levels regardless of water solubility.
Posted by Netch on November 20, 2009, at 6:07:29
In reply to Re: Folate and B12 increase risk of cancer, posted by desolationrower on November 19, 2009, at 21:43:01
> might depend on what form of folate, there was the thing about folic acid inhibiting activity of methylated folate, which is more active
>
> Also, i think green tea can act to reduce activity of dihydrofolate reductase, and folate is just as important for cancer as it is for regular cells. i think this was mainly relevent for breast cancers
>
> -d/rWould be interesting to hear comments from Deplin management.
This study showed increased risk of pulmonary cancer.
Posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2009, at 18:58:42
In reply to Re: Folate and B12 increase risk of cancer » desolationrower, posted by Netch on November 20, 2009, at 6:07:29
Are you serious? I took that med for a short while? Where did you read that? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Netch on November 23, 2009, at 3:43:34
In reply to Re: Folate and B12 increase risk of cancer » Netch, posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2009, at 18:58:42
> Are you serious? I took that med for a short while? Where did you read that? Thanks Phillipa
"Results were mainly driven by increased lung cancer incidence in participants who received folic acid plus vitamin B12. "
JAMA. 2009;302(19):2119-2126.
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