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Adequate intake of the B vitamin
folate may lower women's risk of developing colorectal cancer.
An international team of investigators
found that women with the highest intakes of folate were 40% less likely
than those who consumed the least to develop cancer of the colon and rectum.
Folate is found in foods such
as leafy green vegetables. The synthetic form of the vitamin, folic acid,
is used to fortify foods such as cereals and other grain products. The
vitamin is essential for the production and maintenance of new cells,
and adequate intake before and during pregnancy helps guard against certain
birth defects.
Researchers suspect that folate
and folic acid may also protect against certain cancers by helping with
DNA synthesis and repair -- processes that, when disrupted, can lead to
cancer.
The investigators found that
women who reported the highest folate intakes -- more than 367 micrograms
per day -- had the lowest risk of cancers of the colon, rectum or both.
The US recommendation for daily folate intake is 400 micrograms.
Still, according to Terry,
these findings should contribute to the overall understanding of the role
of folate in reducing cancer risk.
International Journal
of Cancer 2002;97:864-867
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