Colon and Rectal Cancer Toolkit
Vitamin B6 Reduces Colon Cancer
Intake is Often "Inadequate" Even When it Exceeds the RDA
Reprinted with permission from Orthomolecular Medicine News Service
🔬 Key Research Findings
Major Study Results
A study of almost 5,000 persons has shown that consuming more vitamin B6 means less colon cancer. The researchers described the connection as "moderately strong."
Colon Cancer Statistics
- • 150,000 Americans diagnosed annually
- • 55,000 deaths every single year
Supporting Research
Other authors, reviewing previous studies, have confirmed the same finding: B6 substantially reduces colon cancer risk.
⚠️ The B6 Deficiency Problem
Widespread Inadequacy
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study of nearly 8,000 people showing that B6 inadequacy is common throughout the United States.
"We noticed participants with inadequate vitamin B6 status even though they reported consuming more than the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin B6, which is less than 2 milligrams per day."
👩 Women on Birth Control
3 out of 4 women using oral contraceptives are vitamin B6 deficient unless they take supplements
🚬 Smokers & Elderly
Especially likely to be at risk for B6 deficiency
💊 Even Supplement Users
1 in 10 people taking B6 supplements is still B6 deficient
🔒 Safety & Dosage Guidelines
Official "Safe Upper Limits" Evolution
Previous Limit
Only 10 mg daily (too restrictive)
Current Limit
100 mg daily (better, but still conservative)
Expert Analysis by Dr. Alan Gaby
Adverse effects from B6 were occurring in people taking 2,000 mg/day or more, although some were taking only 500 mg/day
No reports of B6 side effects at under 200 mg/day
💡 Modern processed diets provide less than 1% of 200 mg - typically under 2 mg daily
🥗 Vitamin B6 Food Sources
You can get some B-6 from food, if you really like to eat whole grains, seeds and organ meats:
🥩 Animal Sources
- Beef liver (slice) 1.2 mg
- Chicken liver (serving) 0.6 mg
🍌 Fruits
- Bananas (each) 0.7 mg
- Avocados (each) 0.5 mg
🥔 Vegetables
- Potatoes (each) 0.7 mg
🥜 Nuts & Seeds
- • Filberts (hazelnuts)
- • Peanuts
- • Walnuts
- • Various seeds
🌾 Whole Grains
Whole grains contain B6, but amounts vary significantly
⚠️ The Reality Check
People are not eating nuts, seeds, vegetables, and liver. What they are eating is way too many nutrient-poor junk foods.
💡 Key Takeaway
"Our diets are low in B6, yet B6 reduces risk of colon cancer. Clearly supplementation is the way to go."
📋 About This Research
Editorial Review Board
- • Damien Downing, M.D.
- • Harold D. Foster, Ph.D.
- • Steve Hickey, Ph.D.
- • Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.
- • James A. Jackson, PhD
- • Bo H. Jonsson, MD, Ph.D
- • Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D.
- • Erik Paterson, M.D.
- • Gert E. Shuitemaker, Ph.D.
About Orthomolecular Medicine
Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness.
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