Folic Acid, B12 May Increase Cancer Risk

[adin]

I don't know if it's true, but I found a bit scary  this article;

webmd.com/cancer/news/20091...

[Hidden]

I just read this and although it's quite alarming it is quite relevant that 90 per cent of those who developed cancer were smokers or ex smokers.

[adin in reply to Hidden]

Yes you're right, "the risks were particularly elevated for hematological (blood) and smoking- and alcohol-related cancers, such as those affecting the liver, colon, and lungs"

[shaws Administrator]

My mother when diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia years ago, they appeared to be given folic acid along with the vitamin B12 injections. PA patients don't get prescribed folic acid now. It also referred to large doses of either folic acid and B12.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws - just logged to information concerning the incidence of cancer with supplements

of B12 and folic acid in a study in Norway. Could not understand why high doses of these supplements were linked with cancer and felt the trials were not helpful as other research by Linus Pauling shows that vitamin C does help cancer and lung disease, and that other research shows that B and C vitamins synergise. To isolate the B vitamins in a survey concerning too high a dose of B12 and folic acid would not necessarily be proof of other deficiencies or absorption of these vitamins through alcohol and smoking. As folate absorption may be impaired for some reason in some people, B12 has been recommended to be taken with folates / or substitute folic acid on this web site for deficiencies. Why are P.A. sufferers only prescribed B12 when they might have absorption problems without folates.

Is it recommended to take both B12 and folates together and if folic acid is not prescribed any more for deficiencies and P.A. why?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

You will have to copy/paste your above queston onto a new post to the Pernicious Anaemia Society as they will be able to answer your question more fully.

I am assuming that your question above concerns B12 supplements rather than a B12 injection. There are two forms of B12 tablets i.e. cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin It has been suggested that methylcobalamin in superior. I always understood that B12 tablets in excess were excreted in urine and this is a post which confirms:-

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

I have read that if we take folic acid it can mask a B12 deficiency, which isn't a good idea.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

I tried the methylcobalamin sub lingual drops but think my b 12 is low. Have seen new tests from London hospitals which are taken by GP and then sent back to the hospital, but if there are other finger prick tests you can recommend by post may be you could give me the info. As you say the B12 passes through the system and is not stored in the liver, then I cannot see how large doses of B12 will increase risk of cancer. Think another administrator mentioned to take B12 48 hours before taking folic acid. Thank you for suggesting I forward the question to P.A.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Since mentioning B12 went for a check up and asked for a print out. B12 is stored in the liver but as you say excess may be excreted but these are ok. I started to top B12 up over a year ago but stopped last October. As I can't eat cereals or many grains I thought my B12 might go lower with a change to mainly oats as a starch. I looked at another response to another post about a list of symptoms for hypo thyroid. I was surprised I could tick so many boxes. A recent test said my thyroid results were normal but no T3 was done or other tests thyroglobulin anti bodies. As I have a goitre and my T4 levels and TSH are .61 would a T3 test be necessary to show if my thyroid is slow? NHS hae long waiting lists to see any one in my area - and though I have had several bouts of thyrotoxicosis no one has ever referred me to an endo.

Do you think private tests are better as NHS tests seem to come back with errors or delays. Thank you for your help.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Never accept the word 'normal' as we aim for optimal. Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges, as it is easier for members to respond and labs differ in their machines.

D and B12 are essential to be optimal. I have also read and listened to a video that low B12 can also cause alzeimers/dementia.

(you'd think we were studying for a medical degree )

.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

That's incredibly useful advice - will have to ask for another more detailed thyroid test so I can forward them to site for comments. Thanks.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I believe taking folic acid before you've had a B12 test can skew results of B12 results.

Read the following as usually we find many of us are low in essential vitamins/minerals.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[activelazy]

Reading the full article suggests that it's smoking that is the culprit not b12 and/ or folic acid. 

[Bluedragon]

It's dated 2009. I'm sure that if there was anything to it there would have been more studies. 

[elsa142]

Check out the latest research about folic acid / folate. Altho the terms are often used to describe the  same thing, there is an important difference. When buying supplements of B vits look for the inclusion of folate for preference.

[adin in reply to elsa142]

I use B12(1000ui daily) because is low(285-nmol prior ) and from my tinnitus(seems to help).