Long-term use of folic acid may increase the risk of cancer by 21%?

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Long-term use of folic acid may increase the risk of cancer by 21%?

Long-term use of folic acid may increase the risk of cancer by 21%? Should folic acid be supplemented?

“Long-term folic acid supplementation can cause cancer, is it true?”

Folic acid should be no stranger to pregnant women. It can provide nutrition for pregnant women and prevent neural tube defects in babies. And for middle-aged and elderly people, folic acid supplementation is also beneficial. But is long-term folic acid supplementation really safe?

Study: Taking folic acid may increase cancer risk by 21%

On October 27 last year, the British “Daily Express” reported a study that said B12 and folic acid may increase the risk of cancer, based on research from Haukeland University Hospital in Norway. The Haukland University Hospital in Norway looked at more than 7,000 heart disease patients who received an average of about three years of vitamin B therapy between 1998 and 2005.

Long-term use of folic acid may increase the risk of cancer by 21%?

The results of the study found that taking vitamin B did not change cardiovascular outcomes, and at a three-year follow-up after ending treatment, 341 patients taking folic acid and vitamin B12 and 288 patients not taking supplements were diagnosed out of cancer. Those who supplemented with vitamins and folic acid had a 21% increased risk of cancer and an 18% increase in death from other causes.

In summary, why does the risk of cancer increase? The main reason for this was an increased risk of lung cancer, which accounted for 32% of the 236 cancer deaths among study participants, a rate higher than 25% of the Norwegian population as a whole.

Does folic acid supplementation cause lung cancer?

Andrew Shao, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at CNR, believes that this study is more of a reminder that smoking increases the risk of lung cancer . After all, more than 90% of lung cancer patients are smokers, and no lung cancer findings were found in other studies.

Question: can folic acid still be intaked?

First of all, it should be emphasized that the study at the Haukland University Hospital in Norway is an observational study and cannot directly infer a causal relationship between folic acid and cancer.

Secondly, taking folic acid in moderation can actually help fight cancer, because folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which is relatively stable in DNA synthesis and is closely related to the maintenance of high levels of methylation. If methylation levels are low, the cancer gene is highly active, and the chance of developing cancer increases. Taking folic acid can maintain the level of DNA methylation, make the activity of cancer genes disappear, and prevent the occurrence of cancer.

Finally, it should be noted that once there is a tumor in the body, overdose may accelerate the growth of cancer cells. For example, patients who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and gastric cancer should not take folic acid casually.

There are several benefits of folic acid supplementation for middle-aged and elderly people

In general, adequate folic acid supplementation does not actually increase the risk of cancer, and folic acid supplementation has obvious benefits for middle-aged and elderly people.

1. Prevention of cerebral infarction

73% of cerebral infarctions in China are related to high blood pressure. In addition to paying attention to diet, folic acid supplementation is also very important for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure, especially in H-type hypertension patients (patients with high homocysteine levels).

Both belong to H-type hypertension, and folic acid supplementation can reduce the level of homocysteine, thereby reducing the risk of cerebral infarction.

2. Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

Lack of folic acid may lead to elevated homocysteine , which is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease .

Because homocysteine has a certain relationship with thrombosis, increased platelets, and vascular endothelial damage, appropriate supplementation of folic acid can prevent cardiovascular disease to a certain extent.

3. Prevent cognitive dysfunction

The older you are, the higher the incidence of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment is closely related to the increase of homocysteine. When homocysteine increases, the brain will be in a state of ischemia and hypoxia, and nerve Cells die quickly .

How to supplement folic acid is better?

Having said so much, what should be the best way to supplement folic acid? In fact, supplementation methods are also different for different groups of people.

1. For normal people, food supplements are enough

Usually eat more spinach, avocado, animal liver and other foods, maintain a balanced diet, and the daily intake of folic acid is sufficient.

2. Some people need additional supplements, and the dosage needs to be controlled

For patients with known H-type hypertension, or those who are deficient in folic acid, they can be supplemented by nutritional supplements (drugs). The recommended daily intake of folic acid is 0.4-0.8mg , and folic acid supplementation should be determined according to your own situation. quantity.

Although folic acid supplementation is beneficial for middle-aged and elderly people, we should also pay attention to the amount. Excessive supplementation will cause nerve damage in the human body and may increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, folic acid supplementation for middle-aged and elderly people must be based on their actual conditions. to decide.

Long-term use of folic acid may increase the risk of cancer by 21%?

(source:internet, reference only)

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