Folate, alcohol, methionine, and colon cancer risk: is there a unifying theme?

Both poor folate status and moderate to excessive alcohol consumption have been associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer, although the mechanisms through which these effects occur have not been established. A recent report suggests that diminished folate status and excessive alcohol intake--which may decrease S-adenosylmethionine levels--may induce hypomethylation of DNA, thereby promoting colorectal cancer.