Vitamin B6 Supports Colon Health

New research indicates that adequate vitamin B6 may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk for developing colorectal cancer is approximately 1 in 19, or 5.2 percent. It is the third most common cancer in both men and women, excluding skin cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death when the data for men and women are combined.

Recently, investigators evaluated thirteen previous studies regarding vitamin B6 and the development of colorectal cancer. The researchers pooled data from these studies that included either vitamin B6 intake or blood levels of pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP or P5P), which is the active form of vitamin B6.

The meta-analysis indicated that there was a significant association between low levels of P5P or vitamin B6 intake and increased risk of colorectal cancer. The study showed that the subjects with the highest vitamin B6 intake had a 10 percent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer, compared to subjects with the lowest vitamin B6 intake. After removing one inconsistent study from their analysis, the relative risk of developing colorectal cancer decreased by an additional 10 percent in the group with the highest intake of vitamin B6.

The data also showed that the subjects with the highest blood levels of P5P had a decrease in the relative risk of developing colorectal cancer by 48 percent. Furthermore, the study found that the risk of colorectal cancer decreased by 49 percent for every 100-pmol/mL increase in blood P5P levels.

The researchers concluded, “Vitamin B6 intake and blood PLP levels were inversely associated with the risk of colorectal cancer in this meta-analysis.”

Reference:

Larsson SC, Orsini N, Wolk A. Vitamin B6 and risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. JAMA. 2010 Mar 17;303(11):1077-83.