Vitamin B6 plays an essential role in proper health and nutrition. It works to keep your immune system healthy and assists in metabolizing red blood cells and protein. While some believe large doses of this vitamin may prevent or treat breast cancer, no scientific evidence is available to support this theory as of July 2011. However, research regarding this issue is ongoing. Discuss the latest research with your doctor so you can make an educated decision about whether or not to take a vitamin B6 supplement for breast cancer prevention or treatment.
Breast Cancer Prevention
Some believe taking vitamin B6 or other B vitamins can help prevent certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. A study in the March 2003 issue of "Journal of the National Cancer Institute" suggests that higher plasma levels of folate and vitamin B6 may reduce breast cancer risk for some women, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. As of July 2011, no clear scientific evidence is available to suggest vitamin B6 supplements alone can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer is a serious medical condition that needs proper medical attention. You should never use vitamin B6 supplements as a treatment for cancer without your doctor's approval. This holds true for other vitamins or dietary supplements, too. The American Cancer Society notes that it is possible that some B vitamins, particularly thiamine and folic acid, may actually make it easier for cancer tumors to grow. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in using vitamin B6 supplements in conjunction with other breast cancer treatments.
Recommended Amounts
The recommended dietary allowances for vitamin B6 is 1.3 mg a day for adults between the ages of 19 and 50, 1.5 mg for women over the age of 50 and 1.7 mg for men over the age of 50. These amounts are only guidelines. Your doctor may recommend more or less based on your current medical condition.
Do not take more than the tolerable upper intake level, which is 100 mg a day. Taking more than this amount increases your risks of experiencing unpleasant side effects from the vitamin. Getting too much vitamin B6 may result in temporary nerve damage to your extremities. The risk of these side effects increases proportionally to vitamin B6 intake. This means the more you take, the higher your risk of experiencing side effects. Always ask your doctor to determine which dose is appropriate for your situation.
Considerations
Getting vitamin B6 and other nutrients through food is generally more beneficial than getting them through supplements. The ACS recommends eating a variety of healthy food, mostly from plant sources, rather than relying on any type of supplementation. However, if you find it difficult to eat a healthy diet or have another medical condition that interferes with your body's ability to absorb vitamins, supplementation may prove useful.
Warning
Vitamin B6 supplements may negatively interact with certain medications. Report all of your current supplements and medications to a doctor before taking anything new. This is especially true if you are already taking medications or supplements for the treatment of breast cancer.
References
- American Cancer Society; Vitamin B Complex; May 2010
- Institute of Medicine of the National Academies: Dietary Reference Intakes: Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes, Vitamins
- Institute of Medicine of the National Academies: Dietary Reference Intakes: Tolerable Upper Intake Levels, Vitamins
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B-6 Fact Sheet
- "Journal of National Cancer Institute"; Plasma Folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12...; SM Zhang et al; March 2003
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