Folic Acid and prostate cancer

[Guest guest]

The Aspirin/Folate Polyp Prevention Study was a placebo-controlled, randomized

trial of aspirin and folic acid supplementation for the prevention of colorectal

adenomas. The study included 643 men who were randomly assigned to placebo or

supplementation with folic acid. The men completed food frequency questionnaires

(FFQ) and also provided nonfasting blood samples for the measurement of

circulating levels of folate and other B vitamins. The men were followed for a

median of seven years.

The results indicated that the estimated probability of being diagnosed with

prostate cancer was 9.7% for the men in the folic acid group compared with 3.3%

in the placebo group. Interestingly, the baseline dietary folate intake and the

level of circulating folate in the blood among the placebo group were associated

with a decreased incidence in prostate cancer.

The researchers concluded that daily supplementation with 1 mg of folic acid was

associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer; however, they acknowledged

that supplementation may have different effects from dietary intake. Reference:

[1] Figueiredo JC, Grau MV, Haile RW, et al. Folic acid and risk of prostate

cancer: Results from a randomized clinical trial. Journal of the National Cancer

Institute. 2009; 101: 432-435.

Blessings,

Lottie