Increasing intake of vitamin B6 may help men with early-stage prostate cancer increase their survival odds, according to a new study.
The study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests theres evidence of a link between higher levels of the vitamin and better therapeutic outcome.
Researchers have discovered that those diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer were 29 percent less likely to die of it if they had a high intake of vitamin B6. Moreover, men with high levels of the vitamin in their blood had only 5 percent of the risk of dying compared with those who were deficient in vitamin B6.
The studys lead researcher, Julie Kasperzyk, from the Harvard School of Public Health, calls the findings exciting. She adds, “Its well known that testosterone helps fuel prostate tumors growth and spread, and lab research suggests that B6 can dampen that response.”
Good food sources of vitamin B6 include cereal grains, legumes, vegetables such as carrots, spinach and peas, potatoes, milk, cheese, eggs, fish, liver, meat and flour. It is also available as a nutritional supplement.
The recommended daily dose of the vitamin is 1.3 mg for men 50 and younger and 1.7 mg for men over 50.