Vitamin B12 Linked to Cancer Risk in U‑Shaped Study
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- Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production, nerve function, and DNA synthesis/repair.
- Vietnam's 2025 case‑control study reported a U‑shaped association between B12 intake and cancer risk, with both low and high intakes linked to higher incidence.
- B12 deficiency can cause DNA replication errors, raising the risk of cancers such as colon cancer.
- High‑dose B12 supplementation over long periods has not demonstrated clear protective effects against cancer in studies.
- High B12 levels have been hypothesized to support growth of pre‑cancerous cells, though human evidence remains inconclusive.
Why it matters: Patients relying on high‑dose B12 supplements, especially vegans and seniors, may need to reassess dosing, while clinicians must weigh deficiency risks against possible cancer associations, potentially reshaping supplement guidelines.
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