Mr. Phung Van Thanh (65 years old, Hanoi) recently underwent surgery for stomach cancer and appears pale due to anemia. His children purchased Chibro B12 for him to help with his blood deficiency, but a local doctor advised that this medication is not beneficial for cancer patients.
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| Vitamin B12 is abundant in eggs, meat, and dairy products (Image: nlm.nih.gov) |
Vitamin B12, also known as vitamin L2, comes in various commercial forms, including Chibro B12 from France. It is found in several animal-based foods.
A deficiency in vitamin B12 can disrupt blood production in the bone marrow, leading to megaloblastic anemia (also known as Biermer’s anemia) due to immature red blood cells. It is absorbed through food with the help of an intrinsic factor present in gastric juice called gastromucoprotein. If this factor is lacking, vitamin B12 will be excreted; thus, for treatment, vitamin B12 is often administered via injection. This substance is typically prescribed for conditions such as pernicious anemia (Biermer’s), anemia following gastrectomy, anemia caused by hookworms, and various neuropathies.
Vitamin B12 has beneficial effects for many patients as it aids in cell division and tissue regeneration, promotes protein synthesis, and facilitates lipid metabolism. It participates in the synthesis of thymidylate, a component of DNA, providing the necessary material for DNA synthesis, which is crucial for cellular division in the body. However, for cancer patients, this can be detrimental. Malignant tumors exhibit biochemical characteristics of rapidly growing tissue, including increased levels of small molecular weight proteins, DNA, RNA, and cellular division. Meanwhile, vitamin B12 accelerates these processes.
For this reason, doctors recommend against the use of vitamin B12 for cancer patients, as it may accelerate the growth rate of cancerous cells and lead to faster tumor progression. Additionally, vitamin B12 is contraindicated for patients with acne, those with a history of drug allergies, or unexplained anemia.
Dr. Vu Huong Van, Health & Life
