High Folate Intake May Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk in Women

A recent study from the European J of Clinical Nutrition (2009, Sept) reports that high dietary folate intake was associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer in Korean women (but not men).

As you know, folate is a B vitamin that also regulates levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Lifestyle also matters. In the folate/cancer study, the cases of cancer ingested more alcohol and were more likely to be current smokers as well as being less likely to be physical active. Do all of these good behaviors come as a package? Or is there more to it in terms of the benefits you can get from folate in your diet (green leafy vegetables)? This seems worth considering at this point.