A 15-year study has found that women with high levels of vitamin B6 in their diet have a 34 percent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer than women with low levels of the vitamin in their diet.
Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm analyzed data from over 61, 000 women in the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort. Participants were between 40 and 76 years of age and all cancer-free when they enrolled. During follow-up, over 800 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. After taking into account age and other factors, researchers found that the greater the long-term dietary intake of vitamin B6, the lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
This effect was even more pronounced among women who consumed two or more alcoholic drinks per week. Among these women, the difference in colon cancer risk between the highest and lowest intakes of vitamin B6 was 72 percent.
Foods rich in vitamin B6 include beans, legumes, meat, poultry, fish and whole grains.
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.