Is there a Carcinogenic Risk Attached to Vitamin B12 Deficient Diets and what should we do about it? Reviewing the Facts
Alexandra K. Loedin Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 06 February 2021
The number of individuals partaking in veganism has increased sharply in the last decade. Therefore, it is critical to look at the implications of vegan diets for public health. Although there are multiple health benefits of a vegan diet, studies have also linked the diet with deficiencies in various micronutrients. This study focuses on vitamin B12, because of its critical role in DNA synthesis and methylation. In light of these connections, we conduct a critical review of recent scientific literature to understand the effects of a B12 deficient diet on the genome and epigenome, and whether it can give rise to cancer.
We observe that a B12 deficiency leads to increased uracil misincorporation, leading to impaired DNA synthesis and genomic instability. The deficiency also leads to global hypomethylation of DNA, a hallmark of early carcinogenesis. The findings of this study highlight the need for increased awareness among vegans to ensure adequate B12 intake through supplementation or consumption of fortified products as a preventative measure. Additionally, the biofortification of staple crops and an improved version of fermented products with increased B12 content could be developed when inadequate intake seems otherwise inevitable.
