Lower Blood Cell Folate Enhances the HPV-16 associated Risk of Intraepithelial Neoplasm
There has been endless press over the past year since the release of the HPV vaccine, which, incidentally is never called that–it is called the “cervical cancer vaccine.” How’s that for a twist from the marketing guys? What seems to have gotten lost in the mix is that it is not exposure to these specific strains of HPV alone that leads to development of cervical cancer. There are many other factors involved, and folic acid status has long been known to be a major player, believed to play a role through aiding healthy cell division.
This study adds further weight to that thought process. Today’s processed diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables and phytonutrients will lead to lower folate status and contribute to cervical cancer risk. Indeed, there have been clinical studies where high dose folic acid alone has reversed abnormal pap results. What is most remarkable, though, is just HOW MUCH of a risk the combination of HPV-16 and low folic acid was. A massive 9 X the risk!!