Connection between B vitamins and cancer prevention

There is almost not a person in the world that does not know or has not heard of vitamin B complex. These vitamins are very important for a lot of various reasons, all of which are beneficial to the health. Some of the most important benefits of these vitamins are for the growth, development and a number of different bodily functions. Enzymes depend a lot on these vitamins. Those who do not know what enzymes are should know that they are proteins responsible for the regulation of chemical reactions in the body. These chemical reactions play a very important role because they are known to turn food into energy and certain other substances that the body needs every day. The most common sources of B vitamins are plants and animal food sources.

Vitamin B complex

There is not a person in the world who does not know just how important B vitamins are for the overall health of a person. This is one of the main reasons why these vitamins need to be consumed daily and the best way a person can achieve that is by making sure that they are a part of his or her diet. By consuming a proper amount of these vitamins various health problems can be easily avoided. When reduction of risk of cancer and vitamin B are considered, it is important to know that there are no strong scientific proofs concerning that connection. The only exception is vitamin B9, which is known to play a certain part in the reduction of risk of cancer. A person who does not consume enough folic acid or B9 will be more prone to certain cancer types. Certain experts even claim that a person can actually prevent cancer from developing if he or she follows a diet plan which is rich in vegetables that have a lot of vitamin B9 and takes a multivitamin supplement every day. This supplement needs to contain the right amount of folic acid. On the other hand, there is no proof that vitamin B is helpful as a part of the treatment in people who already suffer from cancer. A person who lacks vitamin B needs to know that he or she can suffer from various different ailments such as anemia, tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression, sensations of numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, muscle cramps, respiratory infections, hair loss, eczema and even birth defects.

Evidence about link between B vitamins and cancer prevention

There is not a lot of data concerning the connection between vitamins B and cancer prevention. All of the available data is mostly from animal studies and certain observational epidemiologic studies. These kinds of studies are not as nearly as strong and reliable as clinical trials and that is why people need to look at them with a lot of caution. Some of these observational studies claim that there is a noticeable decrease in risk of colon cancer in people who increase the intake of folic acid. The results are especially good in patients who are vitamin deficient. However, when other types of cancer are considered, there is no strong evidence. Some of the observational epidemiologic studies also claim that a person who increases the intake of vitamin B6 will reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. The link is there but there is still no strong proof. There were clinical trials performed on the connection of vitamin B supplements and the reduction of cancer. However, the trials showed no reduction of risk of cancer when a person increased the intake of B supplements. One study even claimed that people who were on folate and vitamin B supplements had a greater chance of developing cancer and dying of it than people who were on placebo pills.

Vitamin B6 reduces colon cancer

A certain study which included no more than 5,000 people claimed that by increasing the intake of vitamin B6 a person will reduce the risk of colon cancer. According to the researchers who worked on this study, the connection between vitamin B6 and colon cancer is “moderately strong”. According to the data, over 150,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with colon cancer every year and more than 30% of that number dies every year. The problem is that people do not include enough vitamin B6 in their diet. A certain study even proved this fact. 8,000 people were a part of this study. The researchers claimed that 75% of women who used oral contraceptives did not have enough vitamin B6 in their system. People who smoke and elderly people are also a lot more prone to developing colon cancer than other people. The study claims that every one out of ten young people are vitamin B6 deficient.In order to introduce more vitamin B6 to their diet, people should eat more whole grains, seeds and organ meats. Avocados and bananas contain a lot of this vitamin as well.