"These data support other studies suggesting that vitamin D supplementation might be promising for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer and are in line with the national recommendation of the Canadian Cancer Society for the supplementation of 1,000 IU/d vitamin D for all adults during winter and for persons at high risk for vitamin D deficiency all year-round," wrote lead author Stefan Pilz from University of Heidelberg.
Blood levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25-(OH)2D were measured in the study participants, and over the course of 7.75 years, 95 patients deaths due to cancer were documented. The most common cancers were lung, colon, and pancreas.
After adjusting for various potential confounding factors, the researchers report that people with the highest level of 25(OH)D (76.3 nanomoles per litre) were 55 per cent less likely to die form fatal cancer than those with the lowest levels (18.1 nmol/L).
Moreover, every increase of 25 nmol/L in 25(OH)D levels was associated with a 34 per cent risk reduction, added the researchers.
However, no association was observed between levels of 1,25(OH)2D and cancer risk.
"Our finding that 1,25(OH)2D was not associated with increased risk of fatal cancer does not argue against a crucial role of 1,25(OH)D in the prevention of cancer because intracellular 1,25(OH)2D levels can best be estimated by serum 25(OH)D concentrations, which are rate limiting for the conversion of 25(OH)D to 1,25(OH)2D," stated the researchers.
Bonnie - it is important to note that as we summer approaches, most of us should continue taking supplemental vitamin D because I would be hard-pressed to find a large part of the population that spends 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen at least five days a week. That is the minimum needed if you want to get all of your vitamin D from the sun.
No comments:
Post a Comment