Folate, Riboflavin Impact Colon Cancer Risk

SHEFFIELD, England Riboflavin supplementation may enhance the protective effect of low-dose folate in people with colorectal polyps; however, the magnitude of the response was not significant when examined between a healthy group of people and polyp patients(Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007;16(10):2128-35). Researchers from the University of Sheffield coordinated a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that included 98 healthy controls and 106 patients with colorectal polypspolyps that, if left alone, could turn into cancer. After six to eight weeks, biopsy samples were collected and the effects of folic acid and riboflavin supplements on biomarkers of nutrient status and biomarkers of colorectal cancer risk were examined. Results showed folic acid supplementation demonstrated a profound increase in red blood cells (RBC) and plasma; however, it was not different between the healthy group and the polyp patients, suggesting an upper limit. Measures of riboflavin also increased with supplementation.