Vitamin B12 is linked with increase risk of lung cancer in male smokers
Vitamin B is mostly found in animal products
What may sound shocking is actually an eye opener for all those who prefer taking supplements without giving any second thought. A research study on more than 70,000 people has found a correlation between the consumption of vitamin B and a higher risk of lung cancer.
Vitamin B is an essential nutrient. It helps prevent infection and is useful in promoting cell growth, red blood cells, increasing energy level, improving eyesight, regulating brain function, aiding digestion and ensuring proper nerve function.
Vitamin B is mostly found in animal products. In order to compensate for the amount of vitamin B that one misses out from animal products, people often consume supplements.
Vitamin B complex supplement comprises vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9 and vitamin B12.
What does this study say about vitamin B?
The research study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that use of vitamin B6 and B12 from individual supplement sources, but not from multivitamins were associated with a 30% to 40% increase in lung cancer risk among men. It also found that the use of supplemental vitamins B6, folate, and B12 was not associated with lung cancer risk among women.
The study analysed the 10-year average supplement dose and saw that the risk was even higher among men who were smoking.
The study was done on men and women aged 50 to 76 years of age living in the 13-county region in western Washington State.
Lung cancer had claimed close to 2 million lives in 20
As per the data available on the WHO
website, close to 2 million deaths happened in 2020 due to lung cancer,
which was the highest cancer related death that year. In the same year,
2.21 million cases of lung cancer were reported; the highest number of
cases were reported in breast cancer.
In India, the prevalence of
lung cancer is high. Lung cancer accounts for 5.9% of all cancers and
8.1% of all cancer-related deaths.
So how much vitamin B is too much?
The daily requirement of the various vitamin Bs are:
Vitamin B1: 1.5 mg
Vitamin B2: 1.7 mg
Vitamin B3: 20 mg
Vitamin B5: 5 mg
Vitamin B6: 1.3 mg
Vitamin B7: 30 mcg
Vitamin B9: 400 mcg
Vitamin B12: 2.4 mcg
These figures are based on the data shared by several health agencies. It is advisable to contact a general physician to get a clear idea on the amount of vitamin B one requires.
Experts have always warned against the overconsumption of vitamin supplements. One should always consult a doctor for supplements instead of going for self medication.
Points to be noted
The study found that most of the participants exceeded the US recommended daily allowance (RDA) for each B vitamin.
Excess consumption of vitamin B12 associated with changes in DNA methylation of several genes that could be reactivated or deregulated during carcinogenesis.