B6, Be Healthier?

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More evidence suggests that what you eat may help determine whether or not you develop a serious type of cancer. Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines, host of HealthDay TV.

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer - and it's the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women.
A study published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association finds that levels of vitamin B6 and an amino acid called methionine may be related to a person's risk of this disease. Both nutrients play a role in a complex chemical process within the body.

Researchers compared 899 people who developed lung cancer and 1,770 who didn't. All of them had provided a blood sample. The group with the highest levels of vitamin B6 had a 56-percent lower risk of lung cancer than the group with the lowest levels. The group with the highest levels of methionine had a 48-percent lower risk. Foods rich in B6 include fortified cereals, beans, poultry, fish, and some fruits and vegetables. Animal proteins and some nuts and seeds contain methionine. However, the researchers write that more research is needed on this matter and they did not provide diet recommendations based on these findings. I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.