Folate, Riboflavin Impact Colon Cancer Risk
October 31, 2007 by Dr. Marcus Ettinger
Filed under In The News, Vitamins and Minerals
by Lisa Frazier
10/26/2007
SHEFFIELD, England —Riboflavin supplementation may enhance the protective effect of low-dose folate in people with colorectal polyps; however, the magnitude of the response was not significant when examined between a healthy group of people and polyp patients(Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007;16(10):2128-35). Researchers from the University of Sheffield coordinated a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that included 98 healthy controls and 106 patients with colorectal polyps—polyps that, if left alone, could turn into cancer. After six to eight weeks, biopsy samples were collected and the effects of folic acid and riboflavin supplements on biomarkers of nutrient status and biomarkers of colorectal cancer risk were examined. Results showed folic acid supplementation demonstrated a profound increase in red blood cells (RBC) and plasma; however, it was not different between the healthy group and the polyp patients, suggesting an upper limit. Measures of riboflavin also increased with supplementation.
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Extra Vitamin D May Lengthen Lifespan
October 31, 2007 by Dr. Marcus Ettinger
Filed under Health Conditions, In The News, Vitamins and Minerals
10/23/2007
Taking vitamin D supplements may lower the risk of death from any cause, according to a meta-analysis in the Sept. 10 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine (2007;167(16):1730-37). After reviewing 18 randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation, with a total of 57,311 participants, the researchers found 4,777 of the participants died during the average follow-up period of 5.7 years. Those taking vitamin D had a 7-percent lower risk of death than those who did not, and their blood levels of vitamin D were 1.4- to 5.2- fold higher than those people not taking supplements. The authors said it was unclear how supplementation could decrease all-cause mortality, though they suggested it may inhibit carcinogenesis or boost immune function.
A related Archives editorial (2007;167(16) :1709-10) by Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Harvard School of Public Health, said the meta-analysis increases the evidence base concerning vitamin D’s benefits to human health. “Research on vitamin D should be continued to clearly elucidate the specific benefits and optimal intakes and levels of vitamin D,” Giovannucci wrote. “Nonetheless, based on the total body of evidence of health conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency, abetted with the results from this meta-analysis, a more proactive at titude to identify, prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency should be part of standard medical care. From a broader public health perspective, the roles of moderate sun exposure, food fortification with vitamin D and higher-dose vitamin D supplements for adults need to be debated.”
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