More Vitamin K May Reduce the Risk of Lymphoma
It’s not a vitamin you hear about often, but getting more vitamin K could decrease your risk of lymphoma – a serious form cancer that affects immune cells known as lymphocytes – causing enlargement of the lymph nodes. This cancer may initially involve only one group of lymph nodes, but over time it can spread throughout the body if not treated. Lymphoma is becoming more common as the population ages and people live longer. Could getting more dietary vitamin K be a device to prevent this relatively common make of cancer?
There are Two Types of Cancer of the Lymph System
Lymphomas are divided into two main types – Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is usually seen in young adults – and can even be seen in children. It has a fairly good prognosis if treated early. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more commonly seen in older people.
Although the symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, fever, weight loss, fatigue, and shortness of breath are similar in both types of lymphoma, the two forms can be distinguished by looking at lymph tissue under the microscope. In Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of abnormal cell called a Reed Sternberg cell is usually seen.
Vitamin K and the Risk of Lymphoma
In a peek carried out at Mayo clinic, researchers examined the vitamin K intake of 603 patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and 603 healthy controls. They found that those with the highest vitamin K intake were forty-five percent less likely to get non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma compared to those with the lowest intake of vitamin K. More vitamin K seems to have some advantages when it comes to reducing the risk of lymphoma.
Why Would More Vitamin K Reduce the Risk of Cancer of the Lymph System?
The researchers believe that vitamin K blocks that action of inflammatory cytokines – proteins that send messages to other cells and, in this case, encourage the rapid, uncontrolled growth of lymphocytes. More research is needed to determine the exact way in which vitamin K affects cancer growth.
How to Get More Vitamin K
Vitamin K comes in two forms: phylloquinones (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamin B2). The best sources of vitamin K1 are green, leafy vegetables, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. (the good green stuff), while vitamin K2 is abundant in fermented cheese and other fermented products such as natto.
Some vitamin K1 can be converted to K2, so eating lots of green, leafy vegetables will improve levels of both forms of vitamin K. Vitamin K1 absorption can be increased by eating veggies with a little olive oil. A true deficiency of vitamin K is rare since it’s produced by bacteria in the stomach ‘” although some people may not get enough to help ward off diseases such as lymphoma.
More Vitamin K to Reduce the Risk of Lymphoma?
These results may be preliminary, but getting more vitamin K has other benefits as well. It’s important for blood clotting – and low levels of vitamin K are associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis and coronary artery disease. One precaution. People who are taking blood thinners should avoid eating too many vitamin K rich foods and should stay away from supplements – since vitamin K can reduce the effects of these medications.
References:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/509074
Related posts
Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Jul 15th, 2010. 