Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Those with the highest B6 blood levels had a 51% reduced colorectal cancer risk, compared to those with the lowest B6 levels.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer (behind lung cancer) in the United States, claiming more than 55,000 Americans each year. It poses a risk for an estimated 1 in 4 Americans (80 to 90 million) because of age or other factors and, contrary to what most people believe, both men and women are equally affected (1).
Now a new study may help colorectal health. In the study, researchers identified 197 cases of colorectal cancer in patients age 40 to 84 from the Physician’s Health Study (2) and compared them to 317 healthy controls. Looking at blood samples provided by the patients, researchers found a “significant inverse association” between blood levels of vitamin B6 and colorectal cancer independent of other factors, including smoking status and levels of inflammatory proteins. Specifically, those with the highest B6 blood levels (144 picomoles/milliliter) had a 51% reduced colorectal cancer risk, compared to those with the lowest B6 levels (43 pmoles/mL).
For the researchers, “vitamin B6 may protect against colorectal cancer independent of other one-carbon metabolites and inflammatory biomarkers.” The current reference daily intake for vitamin B6 is 1.4 mg per day for men and 1.2 mg per day for women (3). Almost all multiples and vitamin B6 supplements contain at least 2 mg of vitamin B6, and some contain up to 75 mg.
Source: Lee, Jung Eun, et al. “Prospective study of plasma vitamin B6 and risk of colorectal cancer in men.” Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers 18.4 (2009): 1197-1202.
© 2009 American Association for Cancer Research.
Posted June 4, 2009.
Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppage NY. You may contact Dr. Arnold by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or by visiting his web site www.pitchingdoc.com Reference:
- “Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet” posted on the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition Website
- Steering Committee of the Physicians’ Health Study Research Group. Final report on the aspirin component of the ongoing Physicians’ Health Study. N Engl J Med 1989;321:129–35.
- Department of Health. Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office; 1991.
