Cancer

It is now recognized that genetic mutations underlie cancer induction and it is becoming increasingly apparent that several classes of nutrients have prominent roles in the prevention of these mutations. A deficiency of any of the following micronutrients: folic acid, niacin, iron, zinc, or vitamins B6, B12, C or E, can mimic radiation or chemical damage to DNA by causing chromosomal breaks and/or oxidative lesions. Folic acid deficiency causes extensive incorporation of uracil into DNA, which leads to chromosome breaks. There is also some evidence that vitamin B12 and B6 deficiencies can lead to chromosomal breakage by a similar mechanism. A level of folic acid deficiency associated with chromosomal breakage was found to be present in approximately 10% of the general US population. Oxidative damage to DNA, secondary to deficiencies of dietary antioxidants, is another mechanism that may contribute to the development of malignancy. And, in addition to inhibiting mutational damage, antioxidants are also critical components of immune system surveillance. Once a malignancy has begun to grow, a healthy immune system can often hold it in check or eradicate it without the host ever realizing its presence. Deficiencies of micronutrients have been found to suppress lymphocyte mitogenesis, natural killer cell activity and cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. Thus, two prime goals of cancer prevention are to detect and reverse micronutrient deficiencies before cancer causing mutations occur and to keep the immune system functioning at a high level, so that newly mutagenized cells are eradicated before they become a clinically detectable cancer. Spectra-Cell's FIA™, including tests for B vitamin and antioxidant deficiencies, can help to detect crucial micronutrient deficiencies before clinical symptoms appear and can contribute to the maintenance of an active, efficient immune system.

REFERENCES

1. DNA damage from micronutrient deficiencies is likely to be a major cause of cancer. Ames, BN. Mutation Research. 2001;475:7-20 (Review).
   
2. Folate deficiency causes uracil misincorporation into human DNA and chromosome breakage: implications for cancer and neuronal damage. Blout, BC et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1997;94:3290-3295.
3. The role of folic acid and vitamin B12 in genomic stability of human cells. Fenech M. Mutation Research. 2001;475:57-67.
4. Dietary reference intakes for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin and choline. Institute of Medicine, Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1998.
5. The relationship between micronuclei in human lymphocytes and plasma levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Fenech, M and Rinaldi J. Carcinogenesis. 1994;15:1405-1411
6. g-Tocopherol traps mutagenic electrophiles such as NOx and complements a-tocopherol: physiological implications. Christen, S et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1997;94:3217-3222.
7. Antioxidant supplementation decreases oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Duthie, SJ et al. Cancer Res. 1996;56:1291-1295

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