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Another B vitamin linked to worse outcomes for cancer
Jacksonville Journal-Courier • • health
Key Points:
- Both low and excessively high vitamin B12 intake have been linked to increased cancer risk, highlighting the importance of maintaining balanced levels, according to a 2025 Vietnamese study.
- Some research indicates that B-vitamin supplements, including B12, may reduce the risk of certain cancers like skin melanoma, while other studies suggest that B6 and B12 supplements are associated with a 30-40% increased lung cancer risk in men, especially smokers.
- Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve cell development, red blood cell formation, and DNA synthesis, but excessive levels might promote the growth of precancerous cells, though this has not been conclusively proven in humans.
- Elevated blood B12 levels are often observed in cancer patients, but it remains unclear whether high B12 causes cancer growth or results from cancer, with high B12 sometimes prompting doctors to recommend cancer screening.
- A 2026 study found that colon cancer patients with very high B12 levels had significantly shorter survival times, averaging around five years compared to nearly 11 years for those with normal B12 levels.
