My Health

2009-10-06T10:33:00.001-07:00

Folic Acid: Don't Be Without It!

by Hans R. Larsen, MSc ChE

Health starts with the individual cells of our body. If our cells are healthy so are we. Healthy cells, in turn, depend on the continued, faultless replication of our DNA. DNA can be seriously damaged through attacks by free radicals so an adequate antioxidant status is essential to cell health. It is now becoming clear though that antioxidants alone are not enough to protect our DNA; more and more research points to the B vitamin folic acid as being equally or perhaps even more important in ensuring proper DNA replication. It is not surprising that a folic acid deficiency has been implicated in a wide variety of disorders from Alzheimer's disease to atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, cervical and colon cancer, depression, dementia, cleft lip and palate, hearing loss, and of course, neural tube defects. The list of conditions involving a folic acid deficiency is growing day-by-day, as is clinical evidence that most of these conditions can be reversed by supplementation.

Folic acid (folinic acid, folacin, pteroylglutamic acid) was first isolated from spinach leaves (its name derives from the Latin folium meaning "leaf") in 1964 and early on was found to be essential in the prevention of anemia in animals. Later it was discovered that ensuring that mothers had adequate folic acid levels could prevent neural tube defects in human babies.

Folic acid is essential for the synthesis of adenine and thymine, two of the four nucleic acids that make up our genes, DNA and chromosomes. It is now also clear that folic acid is required for the proper metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine that is found primarily in animal proteins. Methionine is converted to homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine, in turn, may be converted back to methionine in a process requiring folic acid (tetrahydrofolate) and vitamin-B12 (cobalamin) as a catalyst or it may be metabolized into cysteine in a process catalyzed by vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine). Cysteine is a vital link in the synthesis of glutathione, one of our most important antioxidants. A high blood level of homocysteine has been found to be highly detrimental to health and is invariably accompanied by a low level of folic acid(1,2).

Homocysteine and heart disease
The idea that homocysteine may be a potent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CAD) was first advanced in 1986(3). Since then numerous studies have confirmed that high homocysteine levels not only increase the risk of CAD, but also increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease (e.g. intermittent claudication)(2,4-12). The average blood level of homocysteine in adults is about 10 micromol/L. Men with a level of 15 micromol/L increase their risk for CAD by 60 per cent and women by 80 per cent. The risk of a stroke at the 15 micromol/L level is two to five times higher than at the 10 micromol/L level in both men and women and the risk of peripheral vascular disease is seven times higher among people with elevated levels(5). Researchers at the Harvard Medical School report that a homocysteine level of more than 11.2 micromol/L confers a five-fold increase in heart attack risk as compared to the risk at 7.2 micromol/L or less(9).

There is rare, unanimous consent within the medical community that homocysteine levels in North America are too high. One study estimates that 56,000 lives could be saved every year if average levels could be lowered by just 5 micromol/L(10,11). Fortunately, lowering your homocysteine level is simple by supplementing with folic acid and vitamins B12 and B6(2,4,5,9-13). Although most research into the harmful effects of homocysteine has centered on heart disease there is growing evidence that high homocysteine levels (or low folate levels) are involved in many other disorders.

Folic acid protects the brain
A low or deficient blood level of folate (folic acid) has been detected in 15 to 38 per cent of adults suffering from depression. There is now increasing evidence that supplementation with therapeutic amounts of folate can significantly improve the condition of depressed patients. In a recent trial involving 20 elderly patients with depressive disorders, treatment with 50 mg/day of methylfolate was associated with an 81 per cent response rate within six weeks. Folate supplementation (15 mg/day of methylfolate) has also been found to markedly improve the effect of treatment with standard antidepressants. Researchers at the Harvard Medical School point out that chronic diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), certain cancer treatments, alcoholism, and a poor diet can all lead to a folate deficiency and the potential for depression(14,15).

Research has also shown that many drugs such as methotrexate, levopoda, niacin, phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine, and theophylline can markedly reduce folate levels(2,10,11). Researchers at Oxford University recently reported that Alzheimer's patients have substantially lower levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 than do normal people of the same age. They also found that a high homocysteine level is a potent risk factor for AD; study participants with a level above 14 micromol/L had an almost five times higher risk than participants with levels below 11 micromol/L. Participants with low folate and vitamin B12 levels had a three to four times higher risk of AD than did people with normal levels(16).

Folic acid is especially important for women
It is now firmly established that women can reduce their risk of giving birth to a baby with neural tube defects (e.g. spina bifida) by supplementing with folic acid prior to conception and during pregnancy(10,11,17). Perhaps less well known is the finding that women can also markedly reduce their risk of giving birth to a child with a cleft lip or palate by supplementing daily with a multivitamin containing 0.4 to 0.8 mg of folic acid(18). These findings are particularly important in view of the fact that oral contraceptives reduce folate levels significantly. Women who have been "on the pill" need to boost their folate status if they are planning a pregnancy(19-21).

Low folate levels are also heavily implicated in the development of cervical cancer. Cervical dysplasia is the precursor of cervical cancer and is usually first detected through a routine Pap smear. Fortunately, folate supplementation (0.8-3.0 mg/day) is very effective in reversing cervical dysplasia and preventing the cancer(22-24). Researchers at the Harvard Medical School recently reported that women who supplemented with folic acid (0.4 mg/day or more for at least 15 years) had a four times lower risk of developing colon cancer than did women with a daily intake of 0.2 mg/day or less (the daily contribution of a typical North American diet)(25-27). Many postmenopausal women have increased homocysteine levels that are believed to contribute to the risk of osteoporosis; folate supplementation can reverse these high levels(28).

And the list goes on
There is no question that folic acid is extremely important to health and wellbeing. Not only is it important for heart health, mental health and women's health, but it is now also clear that it affects many other facets of health and disease. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation have found that patients with end- stage renal disease have extremely high homocysteine levels and can be protected from cardiovascular events by supplementing with folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12(29). Diabetes patients tend to have high homocysteine levels and folate is especially important for them(30). Recent research has also shown that low folate levels (high homocysteine levels) are implicated in age-related hearing loss, psoriasis, and restless leg syndrome(31-33).

It is indeed astounding that one single vitamin, folic acid, can have such a profound effect on our health and yet perhaps it is not so surprising when one considers its vital role in DNA synthesis and homocysteine metabolism.

So how much is enough
It is estimated that 88 per cent of all North Americans suffer from a folate deficiency(5,8). Obviously, the standard diet is not supplying what we need. This has led to the fortification of cereals and other foodstuffs with folic acid to try to ensure a minimum daily intake of 0.4 mg/day. Although beans and green vegetables like spinach and kale are good sources of folates, relatively few people eat lots of vegetables and cooking destroys most of the folate anyway(8). Realizing the poor availability from the diet many medical researchers now advocate daily supplementation with folic acid. Because folic acid needs the catalysts vitamins B12 and B6 to carry out its functions effectively it is usual to supplement with a combination of the three. Dosage recommendations for folic acid vary between 0.4 mg/day and 10 mg/day or more depending on the severity of the deficiency and the health problem to be overcome. The RDA for adults is now 0.4 mg/day and 0.6 mg/day for pregnant women. Recommendations for vitamin B12 generally range from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/day and for vitamin-B6 from 10 to 250 mg/day(2,4,5,9,10,11,13,34-36).

Supplementation with folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 costs only pennies a day and yet it is indeed hard to imagine a better investment in protecting your health.

2009-10-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Men need folate every day

All men need folate for good health. Folate is needed for new and developing cells no matter your age. You are always making new cells for your body like skin, blood, hair, gut and other cells.

Men need folate every day for good health. Folate may help reduce the risk for chronic diseases like heart disease, certain cancers and Alzheimer's disease.

Health benefits of folate

Folate also has been associated with reducing the risk for some chronic diseases. Studies show that higher levels of homocysteine (pronounced hoe-moe-SIS-teen), an amino acid found in the blood, may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. Folate can help to reduce the amount of homocysteine in blood, which may help reduce the risk for heart disease.

Emerging research shows that folate may help to reduce the risk for:

• Cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease and stroke.

• Certain cancers such as breast and cervical*.

• Diseases that affect the brain or mental function such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and depression.

* Benefits were seen for women who have other risk factors for this disease, such as a family history (breast cancer), high intake of alcoholic beverages (breast cancer), or infection with human Papillomavirus (cervical cancer).

There is some controversy as to whether folic acid is associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer or developing pre-cancerous adenomas (polyps). If you are at higher risk for colorectal cancer (e.g., over age 50, have a family history, have been previously diagnosed with polyps or colorectal cancer), make sure you see your doctor to discuss having regular screenings for precancerous adenomas, which can reduce the chances of developing colorectal cancer.

Although research has not confirmed that folate can reduce the rates of these serious diseases, studies so far have shown promising results.
Click here to learn more about folate and chronic diseases.

How much folate men need

The Institute of Medicine has established the following Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for folate:

Age Group	Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) *Micrograms DFE per day**
Teenage Boys (14-18 yrs)	400
Men (19 yrs and older)	400

Source: Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences. Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. National Academy Press, Washington DC, 1998.
*DFE = dietary folate equivalents.

Ways to get the folate you need

Fast-paced lifestyles, fast food and dieting to lose weight are all things that can make it harder to get the folate you need every day. Here are ways to get your "healthy portion" of folate:

• Include folate-rich foods (for example, dark green
leafy vegetables, legumes such as dried beans and
peas, and orange juice) as part of a healthy,
balanced diet. It's a great way to help you get the
folate you need every day. As an added bonus,
these foods contribute to good health in other
ways because they are:

Good sources of other vitamins and minerals
Higher in fiber
Lower in fat
Cholesterol-free
Lower in sodium

• Include fortified grain products in your diet, like enriched cereals, breads and pastas.

• Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. (Check the label to be sure.)

Click here to see a list of foods and their folate content. Click here for recipes.

Folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects

• Folate may be important for men's reproductive health and has been associated with higher sperm counts and density (Wallock et al. 2001).

• Folic acid may help to reduce the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord called neural tube defects. Folic acid also may help to reduce the risk of other birth defects including defects of the heart, face, urinary tract, and limbs. All women of childbearing age should take folic acid for prevention of these defects.

• Support all the women in your life that you love - wife/partner, daughters, granddaughters, mothers, sisters, aunts and others. Remind them to take a daily multivitamin with folic acid.

• Remember, whether you are planning to have children or not, whether you are hoping for grandchildren or not - about half of all pregnancies are unplanned! So, it is especially important for the women of childbearing age in your life to get enough folic acid every day.

2009-10-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Vitamin D and Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most common form of cancer in the western world. About 150,000 Americans will be told they have colon cancer this year and 50,000 will die. Your chance of developing colon cancer, sometime in your life, is about 1 in 15. Blacks are particularly affected by colorectal cancer, as well as other cancers, with both a higher incidence and mortality from colon cancer than non-blacks. We believe this is due to a widespread vitamin D deficiency within the black community.

Many factors contribute to causing colon cancer (it is multifactorial) but diet is probably the most important factor. Certain diets promote colon cancer, such as diets high in fat and red meat. Other diets help prevent colon cancer, especially diets high in fiber, calcium, fruits, and vegetables.

If you have colon cancer, please remember that vitamin D is not a cure-all and should never be used as a main treatment for cancer. Your oncologist will prescribe treatment that has proven efficacy and you should carefully follow their advice as the mainstay of treatment. At the same time, you should know that evidence suggests that the proper amount of vitamin D will help you in your fight against colon cancer.

Vitamin D In the Fight Against Colon Cancer

Scientists first discovered the possible importance of vitamin D in preventing colon cancer more than 20 years ago. Let's review some selected studies from the scientific literature to see what clues exist about the role vitamin D may play in preventing, and treating, colon cancer.

Sunlight Exposure Lowers Cancer Risk

In 1980, Cedric Garland and Frank Garland, while at Johns Hopkins University, reported that death from colon cancer was significantly less likely in those who lived in sunny areas. The Garland brothers believed vitamin D best explained this observation. Garland CF, Garland FC. Do sunlight and vitamin D reduce the likelihood of colon cancer? Int J Epidemiol. 1980 Sep;9(3):227–31.

In 1985, scientists studied 2100 men for 19 years. They discovered that colon cancer was more than twice as likely in the men that consumed the least amount of vitamin D and calcium. As about 90% of the average persons' vitamin D comes from the sun, it was comforting to know that even small amounts of vitamin D in the diet helped prevent colon cancer. Garland C, Shekelle RB, Barrett-Connor E, Criqui MH, Rossof AH, Paul O. Dietary vitamin D and calcium and risk of colorectal cancer: a 19-year prospective study in men. Lancet. 1985 Feb 9;1(8424):307–9.

In 1989, the Garland brothers presented further evidence that vitamin D deficiency played a key role in colon cancer. They analyzed air pollution data from 20 Canadian cities finding that the cities where polluted air obscured vitamin D-producing sunlight had higher death rates from both colon and breast cancer. Furthermore, they pointed out that colon cancer rates were 4–6 times higher in North America and Northern Europe when compared to the incidence of colon cancer in countries close to the equator. Gorham ED, Garland CF, Garland FC. Acid haze air pollution and breast and colon cancer mortality in 20 Canadian cities. Can J Public Health. 1989 Mar–Apr;80(2):96–100.

Blood Calcidiol Level and Cancer Risk

Later that same year the Garlands presented even stronger evidence, this time in the prestigious British journal, The Lancet. For the first time, researchers linked blood vitamin D levels to risk of developing colon cancer. They found an amazingly strong correlation which revealed that a person was 5 times less likely to develop colon cancer if that person's blood calcidiol level was between 33–41 ng/mL. For the first time, a direct correlation was shown between vitamin D blood levels and the risk of getting colon cancer. As cancer is a dynamic process, with normal cells turning cancerous as time progresses, this study strongly suggested that vitamin D may have an important role in treating colon cancer. Garland CF, Comstock GW, Garland FC, Helsing KJ, Shaw EK, Gorham ED. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and colon cancer: eight-year prospective study. Lancet. 1989 Nov 18;2(8673):1176–8.

In 1992, researchers at the University of Washington independently confirmed the Garland brothers' work. They analyzed cancer registries in the United States and found that people who live in cloudy northern areas (Michigan, Connecticut, western Washington, etc.) were up to 80% more likely to develop colon cancer than those who lived in sunny areas (Utah, New Mexico, etc.). Emerson JC, Weiss NS. Colorectal cancer and solar radiation. Cancer Causes Control. 1992 Jan;3(1):95–9.

Vitamin D Obtained Through Diet Helpful

In 1993, researchers from the University of Minnesota, analyzing the data of more than 35,000 women from the Iowa Womens Health Study, found that vitamin D and calcium in the diet significantly reduced the risk of colon cancer. Women with the lowest vitamin D intake were twice as likely to develop colon cancer. Remember, diet supplies only 10% of vitamin D as most people get almost all their vitamin D from sun exposure. Even so, this study confirmed earlier findings and showed that even small amounts of vitamin D in the diet were helpful. Bostick RM, Potter JD, Sellers TA, McKenzie DR, Kushi LH, Folsom AR. Relation of calcium, vitamin D, and dairy food intake to incidence of colon cancer among older women. The Iowa Women's Health Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1993 Jun 15;137(12):1302–17.

Supplemental Vitamin D Even More Important

In 1996, researchers at Harvard confirmed that vitamin D obtained from diet or supplements reduced the risk of colon cancer. Furthermore, they found supplemental vitamin D was more important than vitamin D from diet. It is important to remember that little vitamin D is obtained from either diet or supplements, compared to the enormous quantities available from sunlight. Even so, the men with the highest total vitamin D intake were about 50% as likely to develop colon cancer compared to men with the lowest total intake. Martínez ME, Giovannucci EL, Colditz GA, Stampfer MJ, Hunter DJ, Speizer FE, Wing A, Willett WC. Calcium, vitamin D, and dairy foods and the occurrence of colon cancer in men. Am J Epidemiol. 1996 May 1;143(9):907–17.

Later in 1996, researchers at Harvard reported results for women. They followed 89,000 nurses over 12 years and found the nurses' risk of developing colon cancer was reduced by vitamin D, similar to men. In fact, they found the relative risk for women with the highest total vitamin D intake was 0.42, meaning those women with the lowest vitamin D intake were more than 2 times as likely to develop colon cancer. Martínez ME, Giovannucci EL, Colditz GA, Stampfer MJ, Hunter DJ, Speizer FE, Wing A, Willett WC. Calcium, vitamin D, and the occurrence of colorectal cancer among women. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1996 Oct 2;88(19):1375–82.

In 1997, researchers in Finland confirmed the Garland brothers' original findings on vitamin D blood levels and colon cancer. Again, they found that the risk of colorectal cancer was highest in those with the lowest blood levels. Perhaps more ominous for the people of Finland (which is very far north and gets little sunlight) was the very low blood levels of vitamin D they were found to have. The average person in Finland had blood levels of only 13 ng/mL, a level now known to be associated with numerous serious illnesses, not just cancer. Tangrea J, Helzlsouer K, Pietinen P, Taylor P, Hollis B, Virtamo J, Albanes D. Serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and the subsequent risk of colon and rectal cancer in Finnish men. Cancer Causes Control. 1997 Jul;8(4):615–25.

Calcitriol—Nature's "Defense Strategy" Against Cancer

Finally, in 1997, researchers at the University of Vienna first suggested that vitamin D may help treat colon cancer. They discovered that colon cancer cells, when grown in a test tube, retain the ability to make calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D that has multiple anticancer properties. They further proposed that calcitriol in the tissues may be nature's "defense strategy" to fight cancer. Cross HS, Peterlik M, Reddy GS, Schuster I. Vitamin D metabolism in human colon adenocarcinoma-derived Caco-2 cells: expression of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1alpha-hydroxylase activity and regulation of side-chain metabolism. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1997 May;62(1):21–8.

In 1999, researchers in Israel found that calcitriol levels were twice as high in patients with less-aggressive colon cancer but were quite low in those with advanced metastatic disease. They concluded that higher calcitriol levels may prevent "further transformation of the cells or may induce cell differentiation, growth inhibition, or apoptosis." That is, they suggested that higher serum calcitriol levels prevented the cancer from progressing, implying it might be useful in treatment, especially in early stages. However, it is important to remember that, although tissue calcitriol levels are most important in fighting cancer, they can not be measured. Colon tissue can make large amounts of tissue calcitriol if, and only if, enough calcidiol is available in the blood. Blood calcidiol levels can easily be increased by taking the correct amount of vitamin D3 supplements. Niv Y, Sperber AD, Figer A, Igael D, Shany S, Fraser G, Schwartz B. In colorectal carcinoma patients, serum vitamin D levels vary according to stage of the carcinoma. Cancer. 1999 Aug 1;86(3):391–7.

Colon Cancer Cells Activate Vitamin D

In 2001, researchers at Boston University found that colon cancer cells can activate vitamin D, turning calcidiol into calcitriol. Their findings clearly implied that patients with colon cancer might be helped by optimizing the amount of calcidiol in their blood. The authors even warned that "vitamin D deficiency could accelerate colon cancer growth." That is, the cancer cells themselves can make calcitriol, if enough calcidiol is available for them to do so. Remember, every molecule of calcitriol in your tissues comes from a molecule of calcidiol in your blood. Tangpricha V, Flanagan JN, Whitlatch LW, Tseng CC, Chen TC, Holt PR, Lipkin MS, Holick MF. 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1alpha-hydroxylase in normal and malignant colon tissue. Lancet. 2001 May 26;357(9269):1673–4.

Later in 2001, researchers at the University of Vienna confirmed that colon cancer cells can make calcitriol but noted their ability may be lost as the cancer progresses or in highly aggressive, poorly-differentiated tumors. Furthermore, they warned that one of the metabolites of calcitriol is increased in poorly-differentiated tumors and that the metabolite may be stimulating tumor growth. Bareis P, Bises G, Bischof MG, Cross HS, Peterlik M. 25-hydroxy-vitamin d metabolism in human colon cancer cells during tumor progression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2001 Jul 27;285(4):1012–7.

First Human Study

In 2002, researchers at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York were the first to administer vitamin D to humans to see if it reduced precancerous cellular changes in the colon. Rectal biopsies were performed before and after the administration of vitamin D and calcium. One group got only calcium, the second group got calcium and vitamin D (only 800 units) and the third group took calcitriol twice a day. The researchers found no improvement between groups, but, much to their surprise, they found strong correlations between blood calcidiol levels and precancerous lesions. As blood calcidiol levels increased, precancerous cellular changes decreased, especially when combined with calcium. The fewest precancerous changes were in a patient with a calcidiol level of 60 ng/mL. Holt PR, Arber N, Halmos B, Forde K, Kissileff H, McGlynn KA, Moss SF, Kurihara N, Fan K, Yang K, Lipkin M. Colonic epithelial cell proliferation decreases with increasing levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002 Jan;11(1):113–9.

In 2002, researchers from the University of Helsinki showed that soy extracts significantly increase the amount of calcitriol in mouse colon both by increasing its production and by decreasing its degradation. This discovery explained the well-known fact that populations that consume high amounts of soy products have lower cancer rates. Kállay E, Adlercreutz H, Farhan H, Lechner D, Bajna E, Gerdenitsch W, Campbell M, Cross HS. Phytoestrogens regulate vitamin D metabolism in the mouse colon: relevance for colon tumor prevention and therapy. J Nutr. 2002 Nov;132(11 Suppl):3490S–3493S.

Later in 2002, researchers from the National Cancer Institute confirmed the Garland brothers' finding from 20 years earlier. Sun exposure significantly reduced one's risk of dying from colon cancer. Freedman DM, Dosemeci M, McGlynn K. Sunlight and mortality from breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, and non-melanoma skin cancer: a composite death certificate based case-control study. Occup Environ Med. 2002 Apr;59(4):257–62.

Vitamin D and Calcium Work Together

In 2003, researchers at Dartmouth confirmed that deficiencies of both vitamin D and calcium were involved in the reoccurrence of colon polyps, a condition known to lead to colon cancer. It turns out both calcium and vitamin D work together to prevent colon cancer. Grau MV, Baron JA, Sandler RS, Haile RW, Beach ML, Church TR, Heber D. Vitamin D, calcium supplementation, and colorectal adenomas: results of a randomized trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003 Dec 3;95(23):1765–71.

More Vitamin D Benefits To Learn

Since then numerous studies on the protective effects of vitamin D in regards to several different cancers, including colon cancer, have been successful in demonstrating that vitamin D3 is indeed a viable weapon in the fight against cancer. There is still so much we have yet to discover about vitamin D, we anticipate even more good news to come.

John Jacob Cannell MD Executive Director 2006.06.04

Read about:

http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Risk+Factors+and+Prevention/Diet+and+Nutrition/Vitamins+and+Minerals

2009-10-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

Vitamins and Minerals

This section has been reviewed and approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 10/08

Vitamins and minerals are necessary for good health. They are often referred to as micronutrients, because they are found in relatively small amounts in foods and body tissues. Many vitamins and minerals have been studied in cancer prevention. Vitamins and minerals include:

Vitamin A
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Niacin
Vitamin B₆
Vitamin B₁₂
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K

Folic acid
Pantothenic acid
Biotin
Calcium
Zinc
Copper
Chromium
Manganese
Selenium

Antioxidants

All cells in the body are exposed to oxidants, which are substances that can damage the body’s cells. Cigarette smoke and ozone are examples of oxidants. The body has an antioxidant defense system that protects against damage from these substances. In addition, many vitamins and minerals are antioxidants, and it is possible that adding these to a person’s diet lowers the risk of diseases, including cancer.

Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are part of the antioxidant defense system include:

Vitamin E
Carotenoids (chemicals that give fruits and vegetables an orange or yellow color), such as beta-carotene and lycopene
Vitamin C
Selenium
Other plant chemicals, such as flavonoids

Other nutrients may directly or indirectly provide antioxidant activity, although these have not been studied as much for cancer prevention.

Antioxidants and cancer prevention

Although multiple laboratory studies have shown that these vitamins and minerals are antioxidants, it has been more difficult to prove they can prevent cancer in people. A review of current research shows the following:

Beta-carotene. High-dose supplements containing beta-carotene do not seem to prevent cancer. In studies of current and former smokers, high-dose beta-carotene supplements actually raised the risk of lung cancer.

Vitamin C. Many studies show that higher amounts of vitamin C in the diet are associated with a lower risk of stomach cancer; however, this result was not confirmed in a recent clinical trial (a research study involving people).

Vitamin E. In a clinical trial regarding supplements and lung cancer, researchers unexpectedly found that vitamin E seemed to lower the number of new cases of prostate cancer. Additional studies show that vitamin E lowers risk of prostate cancer only in current smokers or those who recently quit. A large clinical trial called the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) is further testing the relationship between vitamin E and prostate cancer, but was stopped in October 2008 for safety concerns. More information about the SELECT clinical trial is below.

Selenium. Selenium has been identified as a potential cancer prevention micronutrient because people who didn’t get enough selenium seemed to be at higher risk for cancer. In a study of skin cancer, selenium didn’t prevent a second skin cancer in people who already had skin cancer, but it lowered the new cases of prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. However, these benefits may only be in people who do not get enough selenium in their diet.

Before taking any dietary supplements or antioxidants, it is important to talk with your doctor, as these supplements may interfere with cancer treatment.

SELECT clinical trial

SELECT is a clinical trial studying selenium and vitamin E for prostate cancer prevention. More than 35,000 men age 55 and older are participating, 15% of whom are black men, which is important because black men have a higher overall risk of prostate cancer. The men in the study received one of the following treatments: vitamin E only, selenium only, both vitamin E and selenium, or no supplements (called the control group). After five years, results showed that selenium and vitamin E, taken alone or together for an average of five years, did not prevent prostate cancer. In addition, the National Cancer Institute has suspended the study because of data that showed that the supplements may cause harm. More information about SELECT is available at http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/SELECTQandA.

Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study

Calcium and vitamin D have been studied for the prevention of colorectal cancer, usually by measuring the formation of adenomas (potentially precancerous polyps) in people with a history of adenomas. These nutrients are tested together because vitamin D is necessary for calcium to be absorbed by the body.

The WHI was a large study of more than 36,000 postmenopausal women. One part of the study tested whether daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D could prevent colorectal cancer. After seven years, researchers found that supplemental calcium and vitamin D had no effect on the number of new cases of colorectal cancer. But, it is possible that the effect of these nutrients couldn’t be seen in seven years’ time.

Folate

Folate is a generic description of a water-soluble B vitamin that is found in foods such as leafy, green vegetables, fruit, and dried beans and peas. Folic acid, a close relative, is a form of folate made in the laboratory that is found in supplements and fortified foods, such as breads and cereals. Folate plays an important role in the health of cells, and studies show that people with low levels of folate have an increased risk of breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers. Folate is also known to counteract the effect of alcohol.

So far, studies in people have not shown a relationship between folic acid and cancer prevention. Several other clinical trials are in progress to answer this question. It may be likely that folate from food may be a better source for the body than folic acid supplements.

Vitamins, minerals, and survivorship

Many cancer survivors want information on healthy eating and the use of vitamins and minerals to help lower the risk of the cancer returning. However, in the studies to date, there is no clear evidence that any particular vitamin or mineral helps prevent a second cancer. Part of the reason for this may be because people have different health histories and different habits regarding nutrition, tobacco use, and exercise. Dietary recommendations for cancer survivors are similar to those for the general population, and include quitting smoking, avoiding weight gain, being physically active, limiting alcohol, and eating more plant-based foods. Learn more about Dietary Recommendations During and After Treatment.

More Information

Prevention: Chemoprevention

Prevention: Plant-based Foods

Treatment: Complementary and Alternative Medicine

This is me on fresh meat practice

2009-09-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is me skating this is the first time in years. I had to bend my knees and I need to work on that. I hope that I can get drafted on the rollergirls skating team. I want to do this it's fun and I really think this is a good idea for me.

My first day at fresh me

2009-09-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

There is me at fresh meat practice. It was a lot of fun. I fell one time on my left side, but I got up and started to skate again. I had to skate and bend my knees. To turn on skates is you lean on the knee that you want to turn.
I have to practice falling on my knees. I need to falling and not falling with my hands open. I need to close my hands. I have to work at it. I know it to my back hurts, it's a lot of a work out. I had a lot of fun.

2009-09-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Today I felt like nothing can get in my way. I was looking up cod liver oil and what are the pro's and con's are on it.
1.)Healthy skin, I love that idea about it.
2.)Build strong bones and teeth. I like that idea too.
3.)Inner lining of your digestive tract. That is a good one.
4.)It helps with a lot of depression disorders too. I think that will help out a lot too.
It as vitamin A and D in it too. It also helps with night vision and helps with everything that has too do with eyes.
But theirs are con's to taking cod liver oil too.
1.) A fishy aftertaste
2.) Bad breath
3.) Heartburn or indigestion
4.) Nausea
5.) Loose stools
That's if you take it in large doses. I'm willing to live with these side effects.

I had been taking it for the last couple of nights.
1.)The first day: I had to so much energy that it wasn't funny. I didn't know what to do with it. Other then run around and play with my daughter and try to pick up the house. I also ha to go go go to the bathroom really badly in to morning.
2.) The second day: Again I had so much energy that I didn't know what to do with. and I was running around and when I woke up this morning I was more happier and I wanted to get up out of bed. I don't know why. I used to not want to get out of bed and face my day.

frist blog

2009-09-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

This is blog about what I'm doing with my heath. I'm 5ft7 and my wt is about 140 to 145 lbs. I'm 22 years old and I'm healthy so far. I have a 2 year old daughter she is my life. I want to stay healthy and I want to keep a journal about what I'm taking vitamins, herbs, and spices. I always feel that if you don't take care of yourself you will fail in life.
I'm going to talk to my Dr. about what I'm doing. I want him to know what is going on and find out what he thinks. I want to know if I'm doing the right thing the right way. I have heart attack badly in my dad side of the family, I don't what to die of a heart attack because I didn't take care of myself. I also have
Cardiovascular disease, Depression, Diabetes some of my family has it right how, Gallstones and gallbladder my dad had gallstones and fix the prob, and high blood pressure. Well OK my menstrual problems are a little like really bad carping and that is about it.