Medical Health

Folic Acid Might Promote Cancers of the Breast, Lung, and Colon

On page 59 in his book Crohn’s and Colitis: Understanding the Facts About IBD (1st edition, 20 April 2006), Dr. Hillary Steinhart (a leading Canadian physician and medical professor) states that the vitamin supplement folic acid might reduce the risk of cancer but that the evidence for this possible benefit is not conclusive. Data gathered during a large Nurses’ Health Study, 1980 to 1994, is one of the main sources for evidence supporting the use of folic acid to prevent colon cancer.

Now our scientists and news media are telling us that supplementation with folic acid might increase the risk of cancer, especially colon cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer. The May 2009 issue of Reader’s Digest presses the point that too little folate in the diet can increase the risk of cancer, while too much folic acid can also increase that risk. Folate is the natural form of the vitamin folic acid.

For additional information about the dangers of folic acid supplementation, see Laura Beil’s article “Is your breakfast giving you cancer?” in Prevention Magazine and the CBS News article “High Doses Of Folic Acid May Lead To Colon Cancer.” And also note that on page 103 in the 1st edition of his book Crohn’s and Colitis: Understanding the Facts About IBD, Dr. Hillary Steinhart points out that the prescription drug sulfasalazine “interferes with folate’s metabolism.” He says that if you are taking sulfasalazine, you will probably need to take a folic acid supplement.

I hope Dr. Steinhart brings out a new edition of his book soon. In the meantime, eat plenty of oranges and greens.

Autoimmunity, KyoDophilus, Alfalfa, and Zinc

My general doctor says that patients suffering from autoimmune diseases should not take herbs and supplements that boost immunity (since autoimmunity results from overactive immune responses that attack and harm various parts of the patients’ bodies). In other words, when your immune system is already overactive, you are foolish to boost its activity even further. And that is why I am surprised when I see health practitioners (including naturopaths) advise victims of colitis or Crohn’s disease to take alfalfa and Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Alfalfa boosts the immune system and can therefore interfere with immune-suppressive medications, such as mercaptopurine (6-MP) and azathioprine (the Mayo Clinic says flat out that patients should not use azathioprine with alfalfa). And the labels on bottles of Kyo-Dophilus (a probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus) say, “Take KyoDophilus . . . every day to boost immunity.”

In fact a University of California clinical trial using Kyo-Dophilus (”a commercially available dietary supplement often used by individuals with inflammatory bowel disease”) was terminated in 2008 due to low recruitment. In other words, the doctors could not find enough volunteers.

I suspect that colitis patients sometimes find that Kyo-Dophilus provides some relief from the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. Yet they would do better to stay away from milk products and Kyo-Dophilus, since Kyo-Dophilus will not cure their colitis-induced lactose intolerance, and since it will boost their immune response (possibly causing their colitis to flare).

Patients suffering from autoimmune diseases should not take Kyo-Dophilus, alfalfa, zinc, echinacea, ginseng, and shiitake supplements, and they should stay away from COLD-fx, too.

Also see, Ulcerative Colitis Advice

Green Tea Extract, Niacin, and Liver Stress

If you are taking a prescription medicine that is known to stress the liver, then you should be very careful about taking supplements such as green tea extract and niacin. Both green tea extract and niacin can be hard on the liver. In fact my doctor says that most herbs and herbal extracts can elevate liver enzyme levels. (And of course you have heard the ongoing news about the dangers of taking too much Tylenol.)

If you are taking a medication that is known to stress the liver, and you want to take green tea extract or niacin (or other supplements), then discuss your plans with your doctor and have your liver enzyme levels tested.

Calcium

If you are unable to eat milk products or if you are taking a medication such as prednisone, you should definitely take calcium supplements — at least 1000 mg of calcium per day, divided into 2 to 4 doses. Never take more that 500 mg of calcium at one sitting during the day: your body has a hard time utilizing more that 500 mg at a time. And I have heard that among people supplementing with calcium, cranberry juice causes kidney stones. So avoid cranberries.

You might want to take a look at EZorbOnline.com. EZorb is a “new generation” calcium supplement — it has a very high absorption rate. I believe that I can feel the effects of EZorb on my muscle tone and skeletal strength.

The manufacturer states that “EZorb does not need participation of Vitamin D or magnesium for better calcium absorption,” but I still take 1000 IU of Vitamin D every day, and I continue to include old-style calcium-magnesium-zinc supplements in my daily regimen.

Recent research shows that while supplementing with calcium, you should take 1000 IU of Vitamin D every day. The old standard was 400 IU, but now it’s 1000 IU.