Vitamin D Cancer Link Revealed: Could Popping a Pill Cut Cancer Risk?

By: David W Freeman
Topics: News ,; Research

(CBS/AP

(CBS) Could popping a daily vitamin D pill help prevent cancer?

It's too early to say for sure, but a new study adds to the growing body of evidence linking a deficiency of the "sunshine vitamin" to colorectal cancer as well as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

That's big news, as up to a billion people around the world are believed to have a vitamin D deficiency - including up half of adults and children in the U.S.

The study, conducted by a team of English and Canadian scientists, revealed a detailed "map" of the molecular interactions between vitamin D and certain genes. The map showed extensive connections between the vitamin and certain genes associated with cancer and autoimmune diseases.

"Genes involved in autoimmune disease and cancer were regulated by vitamin D," study author Dr. Sreeram Ramagopalan of Oxford University told WebMD.

The skin makes vitamin D upon exposure to sunlight. In addition, the vitamin is found in many foods, including oily fish like salmon and milk and other foods that have been fortified with the nutrient.

Current guidelines call for 200 international units (IU) for people up to age 50, 400 IU for people 51 to 70, and 600 IU for people over 70, according to WebMD. But many experts say those doses are too low.

Ramagopalan says 2,000 IU may be more like it, though some experts warn against jumping the gun.

"We will soon have a better understanding of the optimal doses of vitamin D and the optimal blood levels associated with the best balance of benefits and risks," Dr. JoAnn Manson, chairman of the preventive medicine department at Harvard University, told WebMD. "But right now there are too many unanswered questions."

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by Berri65 August 28, 2010 3:25 AM EDT: I believe there is a link between Vitamin D deficiency and Autoimmune diseases. I found out I was severely deficient after I had a autoimmune desease diagnosis, by chance and change of Dr's, the new dr ordered the Vitamin D test after a year of constant pain, ER visits, 1 hospital stay, and I was glad I found out. Once I started on presciption Vitamin D, a much higher dose than normal, I started feeling better and not in so much pain and my high blood pressure got back to normal. It DOES make a difference!; Reply to this comment


by aimers1022 August 26, 2010 3:45 PM EDT: Scramcannon; have you evaluated any primary literature? I noticed your references are expert opinion, for the most part, and I am interested in reviewing the evidence based medicine that would support their/your opinions. If you have any recommended pieces of primary literature that you feel are poignant, I would love to review them. I am interested in learning more.
Thanks.; Reply to this comment


by scramcannon August 25, 2010 12:44 PM EDT: The experts who have studied vitamin D exclusively for decades insist on a blood level range of 50-80 ng/ml, 25 OH D, year round, and for life.

This appears to provide the maximum benefit for people in normal health.

The current level of "sufficiency" of 30 ng/ml, 25 OH D, will not provide the maximum health benefits of vitamin D.

Patients and doctors alike should view all medical conditions first in terms of chronic vitamin D deficiency. While that sounds absurd the evidence supports this approach.

Vitamin D deficiency is STRONGLY linked to many, if not most, early onset chronic conditions. This includes cancer, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, bacterial and viral infections, arthritis, infertility, obesity, depression and psychological disorders, bone disease, oral health, and a host of other afflictions.

Almost everyone is vitamin D deficient much of the year in the U.S. Typically in the months Sept-April supplementation is required. If you choose to tan do so with sense and seek the equipment with the highest UVB output.

Recommendations to supplement 400-600 i.u. of vitamin D daily will never achieve blood levels of 50-80 ng/ml, 25 OH D. Most people of normal BMI will require 3000-5000 per day in the low sun months Sept-April.

Have a "25 OH vitamin D test" twice a year by your physician. Based on the results increase or decrease supplementation or tanning to maintain the healthy, normal range of 50-80 ng/ml, 25 OH D.

People with dark skin or high BMI's (obese people) will require additional amounts of supplementation or tanning to maintain the healthy range.

Educate yourself and your medical professionals about vitamin D deficiency. What has been learned recently will shock you. So many common, serious afflictions are directly related to vitamin D deficiency.

For example, how many people know, doctors and patients alike, breast cancer is overwhelmingly a vitamin D deficiency disease?

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http://www.grassrootshealth.net/press-20091104

http://www.grassrootshealth.net/press-20091005

http://www.grassrootshealth.net/press-20091207; Reply to this comment