DNA damage from micro nutrient deficiencies is likely to be a
major cause of cancer.
By Bruce N. Ames, professor of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley
A deficiency of any of the micro nutrients: folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, niacin,
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, or zinc, mimics radiation in damaging DNA by causing
single- and double-strand breaks, oxidative lesions, or both. For example, the
percentage of the US population that has a low intake (<50% of the RDA) for each of
these eight micro nutrients ranges from 2 to >20%. A level of folate deficiency
causing chromosome breaks was present in approximately 10% of the US
population, and in a much higher percentage of the poor. Folate deficiency causes
extensive incorporation of uracil into human DNA (4 million/cell), leading to
chromosomal breaks. This mechanism is the likely cause of the increased colon
cancer risk associated with low folate intake. Some evidence, and mechanistic
considerations, suggest that Vitamin B12 (14% US elderly) and B6 (10% of US)
deficiencies also cause high uracil and chromosome breaks. Micro nutrient
deficiency may explain, in good part, why the quarter of the population that eats the
fewest fruits and vegetables (five portions a day is advised) has about double the
cancer rate for most types of cancer when compared to the quarter with the highest
intake. For example, 80% of American children and adolescents and 68% of adults
do not eat five portions a day. Common micro nutrient deficiencies are likely to
damage DNA by the same mechanism as radiation and many chemicals, appear to
be orders of magnitude more important, and should be compared for perspective.
Remedying micro nutrient deficiencies should lead to a major improvement in health
and an increase in longevity at low cost.
major cause of cancer.
By Bruce N. Ames, professor of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley
A deficiency of any of the micro nutrients: folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, niacin,
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, or zinc, mimics radiation in damaging DNA by causing
single- and double-strand breaks, oxidative lesions, or both. For example, the
percentage of the US population that has a low intake (<50% of the RDA) for each of
these eight micro nutrients ranges from 2 to >20%. A level of folate deficiency
causing chromosome breaks was present in approximately 10% of the US
population, and in a much higher percentage of the poor. Folate deficiency causes
extensive incorporation of uracil into human DNA (4 million/cell), leading to
chromosomal breaks. This mechanism is the likely cause of the increased colon
cancer risk associated with low folate intake. Some evidence, and mechanistic
considerations, suggest that Vitamin B12 (14% US elderly) and B6 (10% of US)
deficiencies also cause high uracil and chromosome breaks. Micro nutrient
deficiency may explain, in good part, why the quarter of the population that eats the
fewest fruits and vegetables (five portions a day is advised) has about double the
cancer rate for most types of cancer when compared to the quarter with the highest
intake. For example, 80% of American children and adolescents and 68% of adults
do not eat five portions a day. Common micro nutrient deficiencies are likely to
damage DNA by the same mechanism as radiation and many chemicals, appear to
be orders of magnitude more important, and should be compared for perspective.
Remedying micro nutrient deficiencies should lead to a major improvement in health
and an increase in longevity at low cost.
MY FAVORITE HEALTH WEB SITES...
What a visionary...
" The doctor of the future will prescribe no drugs, but will interest his
patients in the care and nutrition of the human frame and in the cause
and prevention of disease "
Thomas Edison
" The doctor of the future will prescribe no drugs, but will interest his
patients in the care and nutrition of the human frame and in the cause
and prevention of disease "
Thomas Edison
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"Doctors give drugs of which they know little,
into bodies, of which they know less,
for diseases of which they know nothing at all."
Voltaire
into bodies, of which they know less,
for diseases of which they know nothing at all."
Voltaire