Vitamins Reduce Risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

A new study has found that increasing intake of a number of nutrients, specifically fish oil, vitamins C and E (in the form of alpha-tocopherol), folic acid, iron and fiber may influence cell health and the risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

In the study, 591 patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and 460 patients without NHL from The Scandinavian Lymphoma Etiology Study completed a food frequency questionnaire. Researchers identified a number of nutrients that help enhance cell health by decreasing NHL risk, specifically fish oil, fiber, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, and iron.

For fish oil, those with intake greater than 300 mg per 1,000 calories per day had a 40% decreased risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma compared to those consuming less than 100 mg per 1,000 calories per day. For fiber, intakes greater than 12 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories resulted in a 50% decrease risk compared to intakes less than 8.8 grams per 1,000 calories. Intakes greater than 8.7 mg per day of vitamin E per day had a 60% decreased NHL risk by 60% compared to intakes less than 5.8 mg per day.

Beta-carotene intake greater than 3,515 micrograms per day had a 40% decreased Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma risk compared to intake less than 1, 575 micrograms per day. Vitamin C intake greater than 147 mg per day had a 30% reduced NHL risk compared to those with less than 73 mg per day. Folic acid intake greater than 329 micrograms per day had a 40% reduced NHL risk compared to those getting less than 213 micrograms per day. Finally, those with 15.5 mg of Iron per day had a 50% reduced NHL risk compared to those with less than 10.5 mg per day.

The researchers concluded, “consumption of nutrients that suppress inflammation, prevent oxidation, or [control DNA damage] may decrease the risk of developing several types of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.”

Source

Hans-Olov Adami. Nutrient Intake and Risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. American Journal of Epidemiology Advance Access published on September 27, 2006. Am. J. Epidemiol. 2006 164: 1222-1232; doi:10.1093/aje/kwj330

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