Lee Swanson Research Update

Vitamin A and Retinol Intake Lowers Gastric Cancer Risk

March 2007

Higher intakes of vitamin A, retinol and provitamin A carotenoids may reduce the risk of gastric cancer, according to a Swedish study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

"Vitamin A may influence gastric carcinogenesis through its essential role in controlling cell proliferation and differentiation," researchers stated, adding: "However, epidemiologic studies of vitamin A, retinol (preformed vitamin A) and provitamin A carotenoids in relation to the risk of gastric cancer have documented inconsistent results. The objective of the study was to examine the associations between intakes of vitamin A, retinol and specific carotenoids and the risk of gastric cancer in a prospective population-based cohort study of Swedish adults."

The study group consisted of 82,002 Swedish adults aged 45-83, who had completed a food-frequency questionnaire in 1997. The participants were followed through June 2005.

During a seven-year follow-up, 139 incident cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed. High intakes of vitamin A and retinol from foods only (dietary intake), from foods and supplements combined (total intake) and from dietary alpha-carotene and beta-carotene (provitamin A carotenoids) were associated with a lower risk of gastric cancer.

Compared to adults with the lowest intake of specific compounds, those with the highest intake of total vitamin A had a 47% reduced risk of developing gastric cancer; total retinol dropped the risk by 44%, beta-carotene by 45% and alpha-carotene by half.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 85(2):497-503, 2007

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