Mechanistic Effects of Vitamin B6 and B12 on Inflammation and Cancer

The relationship between nutritionNutrition, inflammationInflammation, and cancer is complex. Healthy eating can boost the immune system and reduce cancer risk, but both inadequate and excessive nutrition can lead to inflammation and cancerCancer. Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 and B12Vitamin B12 are crucial for overall health, and their deficiencyDeficiency can disrupt the immune system, leading to hyperhomocysteinemia, oxidative stressOxidative stress, and immune dysfunction. This deficiency can contribute to diseasesDisease like cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neurovascular diseases, osteoporosisOsteoporosis, and cancer. Adequate dietary intake of these vitamins can prevent inflammationInflammation, immune dysfunction, and cancer progression, with supplements addressing deficiencies. High doses of vitamin B6Vitamin B6, exceeding daily recommendations, may protect against cancerCancer by reducing inflammation, oxidative stressOxidative stress, advanced glycation end productsAdvanced glycation end products (AGEs), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and preventing telomere shortening. Vitamin B6 also shows promise as an immunomodulatoryImmunomodulatory agent in inflammatory conditions. Conversely, excessive vitamin B12Vitamin B12 intake may promote tumorigenesis by enhancing one-carbon metabolismOne-carbon metabolism, increasing nucleic acid synthesis, and altering DNA methylationDNA methylation, all contributing to cancer. However, further research is needed to understand these mechanismsMechanisms fully. In this chapter, we describe the intricate connections between, nutritionNutrition, inflammationInflammation, and cancer. Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 and B12Vitamin B12 are crucial for maintaining healthHealth. Adequate intake can prevent inflammation, immune dysfunction, and cancerCancer, while excess vitamin B12 may have tumorigenic effects. Further research is essential to clarify these vitamins' roles in cancer and immune function.