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Posted on Jun 21, 2011, 6 a.m.
Japanese team identifies the minimal essential blood level for the B vitamin folate to beneficially impact colon health.
Folate, a B-vitamin, is essential for RNA and DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and the metabolism of protein. Previous studies have suggested that folate may protect against certain cancers, including colorectal cancer. Shunji Fujimori, from Nippon Medical School (Japan), and colleagues studied 458 Japanese men and women and found that the risk of developing a benign colorectal tumor (adenoma) was decreased when blood level of the B vitamin were above 8.0 nanograms per milliliter.
Shunji Fujimori, Katya Gudis, Yoko Takahashi, Makoto Kotoyori, Atsushi Tatsuguchi, Yoshiharu Ohaki, Choitsu Sakamoto. “Determination of the minimal essential serum folate concentration for reduced risk of colorectal adenoma.” Clinical Nutrition, 25 May 201'1.
