Vitamin B6 intake, alcohol consumption, and colorectal cancer: a longitudinal population-based cohort of women

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Cancer Epidemiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Vitamin B6 is essential for 1-carbon metabolism, critical for DNA synthesis and methylation.
• Disruptions in 1-carbon metabolism are associated with colorectal cancer development.
• Alcohol consumption may interfere with 1-carbon metabolism pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between long-term dietary vitamin B6 intake and colorectal cancer risk.
• To determine if alcohol consumption modifies the relationship between vitamin B6 and colorectal cancer.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cohort study of 61,433 Swedish women.
• Dietary vitamin B6 intake assessed via food-frequency questionnaires at baseline and updated.
• Colorectal cancer incidence tracked over a mean follow-up of 14.8 years.

Main Results:

• Long-term dietary vitamin B6 intake showed a significant inverse association with colorectal cancer risk (P trend = .002).
• Women in the highest quintile of vitamin B6 intake had a 34% lower risk compared to the lowest quintile.
• The inverse association was most pronounced in women with moderate to high alcohol consumption (RR 0.28 for extreme quintiles).

Conclusions:

• Dietary vitamin B6 intake may contribute to the prevention of colorectal cancer.
• Vitamin B6's protective role against colorectal cancer appears significant for women who consume alcohol.