Cancer on Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 may be one supplement that is best taken under Medical supervision. If anemic and low in vitamin B12, moderate supplements might be indicated and monitored by a Doctor. But watch out for higher dosages and the cumulative effect of vitamin B12 in many different formulas taken together. Many people take vitamin B12 for energy and blood building. Plus, also vitamin B12 is part of three nutrients taken to help lower homocysteine levels associated with heart disease (while lowered, no benefits found on CVD).

But, one interesting association represents elevated Vitamin B12 levels and cancer. Higher vitamin B12 blood levels (not from supplements) often precede and indicate tumor growth and a number of other diseases. ref Certain cancers could disrupt the vitamin B12 pathways which results in an elevated blood level of cobalamin. Thus, in populations prone to cancers, taking vitamin B12 supplements might hide this action and Doctors could miss detecting cancers until later stages. ref <lung cancer, ref Somehow vitamin B12 is not going into cells and tissues but remaining in the blood. Might be due to excess vitamin B12 carrier protein production. This evidently can happen with different levels of vitamin B12, even deficiencies. ref

Foods with vitamin B12 include animal and seafoods, dairy, eggs, and fortified cereals. Vitamin B12 ia not found in plants such as vegetables and fruits unless fortified. Fortified yeast supplements are often used by vegans or others on restricted diets. Some fortified foods might include margarine, fruit juice, and dairy-free yogurt. Check labels for cobalamin listed.

This topic is an emerging issue, so watch for more...