Vitamin B<inf>12</inf> Supplementation and Vitamin B<inf>12</inf> Blood Serum Levels: Evaluation of Effect Modification by Gender and Smoking Status

• Authors: Hannah E Fuchs, Emory University; Kelli O Connell, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Mengmeng Du, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Sandi L Navarro, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Theodore M Brasky, The Ohio State University College of Medicine; Elizabeth D Kantor, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• Journal Title: Nutrition and Cancer
• Volume: Volume 74, Number 7
• Publisher: Informa UK Limited | 2022-01-01, Pages 2373-2383
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2021.2007271
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Oncology
• Keywords: Adult; Dietary Supplements; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Nutrition Surveys; Serum; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins

Abstract

Research suggests that high intake of supplemental vitamin B12 may be associated with increased risk of cancer, with some evidence that this association may vary by gender and smoking status. This investigation evaluates if similar patterns in association are observed for data for 11,757 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2006). Survey-weighted multivariable-adjusted linear regression was used to evaluate the association between regular B12 supplement use and log-transformed serum B12 levels. Persons taking vitamin B12 through a multivitamin/multimineral (MVMM) had a median supplemental intake of 12 mcg/day (Q1: 6, Q3: 25), compared to 100 mcg/day (Q1: 22, Q3: 500) for persons reporting supplemental B12 intake through a MVMM-exclusive source. MVMM users had a geometric mean serum B12 26% (95% CI: 23%-30%) higher than nonusers, whereas MVMM-exclusive users’ geometric mean was 61% (95% CI: 53%-70%) higher than nonusers (p-trend < 0.001). Although a positive trend (p-trend < 0.001) was observed for both men and women, the association was stronger among women (p-interaction < 0.001). No interaction was observed for smoking status (p-interaction = 0.45). B12 supplementation is associated with higher levels of serum B12, with significant interaction by gender but not smoking. Further work is needed to better understand the interplay of B12 and gender.