Is There a Carcinogenic Risk Attached to Vitamin B₁₂ Deficient Diets and What Should We Do About It? Reviewing the Facts

The number of individuals partaking in veganism has increased sharply in the last decade. Therefore, it is critical to look at the implications of vegan diets for public health. Although there are multiple health benefits of a vegan diet, studies have also linked the diet with deficiencies in various micronutrients. This study focuses on vitamin B_12, because of its critical role in DNA synthesis and methylation. In light of these connections, a critical review of recent scientific literature is conducted to understand the effects of a B₁₂ deficient diet on the genome and epigenome, and whether it can give rise to cancer. It is observed that a B₁₂ deficiency leads to increased uracil misincorporation, leading to impaired DNA synthesis and genomic instability. The deficiency also leads to global hypomethylation of DNA, a hallmark of early carcinogenesis. The findings of this study highlight the need for increased awareness among vegans to ensure adequate B₁₂ intake through supplementation or consumption of fortified products as a preventative measure. Additionally, the biofortification of staple crops and an improved version of fermented products with increased B₁₂ content can be developed when inadequate intake seems otherwise inevitable.