Often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D plays a vital role in maintaining overall health, including bone health and immune function. Ever wondered about the connection between Vitamin D and cancer, and how it could impact you? Well, get ready to dive into some mind-blowing evidence-based research!
What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in helping our bodies absorb calcium and maintain healthy bones. In addition to supporting bone health, vitamin D also helps regulate cell growth, immune function, and inflammation, which are important factors in preventing cancer. There are two main forms of vitamin D:
Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol):Â Found in plant-based sources and supplements.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol):Â Found in animal-based foods and synthesized in the skin through sunlight exposure.
What does the research say - reducing your cancer risk
Multiple research findings indicate that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D, could potentially lower cancer risk and improve survival rates. This research underscores the significance of maintaining sufficient levels of vitamin D, especially for individuals battling cancer or in remission. This effect seems to be particularly notable for cancers such as breast, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancer. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth, cell death, and immune responses, all of which are vital in managing cancer.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated that daily vitamin D supplementation can reduce cancer mortality by 12-15%. The efficacy was greater with long-term supplementation, emphasizing the need for consistency (Keum & Giovannucci, 2019; Martineau et al., 2022)
Studies suggest that adequate vitamin D levels are associated with reduced risks for certain cancers, such as colorectal and breast cancer. For instance, McCullough et al. (2015) found a correlation between high vitamin D concentrations and lower colorectal cancer incidence. However, data remains inconclusive for other cancers, such as prostate cancer (Garland et al., 2006; Heaney, 2011).
Supplementation and sun exposure
In the UK, it's highly recommended that all adults boost their health by taking a daily dose of Vitamin D supplement (10 micrograms) during the winter months. Why? Well, from March to April, the sunshine is in full swing, allowing most people to naturally make the required amount of vitamin D through their skin. In the winter months, the sun is not strong enough make the Vitamin D you need, therefore supplementation is essential along with increasing Vitamin D sources in your diet.
Now what?
With increasing evidence on the vital role Vitamin D plays in reducing cancer risk, its important to optimise your vitamin D levels. Here are some food sources of Vitamin D to help get you on track:
Mushrooms: With the weather getting chillier, why not tuck into a warm bowl of mushroom soup.
Oily fish: Sardines, salmon, mackerel.
Egg yolks:
Liver and red meat; fortified foods such as cereals.
In conclusion; optimising your Vitamin D levels is important but should complement broader cancer prevention and treatment strategies - always consult your Oncology team if you're unsure. By integrating vitamin D into a holistic lifestyle approach, you can maximise your overall health.
References:
Garland, C. F., et al. (2006). The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention. American Journal of Public Health, 96(2), 252-261.
Keum, N., & Giovannucci, E. (2019). Vitamin D supplementation and cancer mortality: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Annals of Oncology, 30(5), 733-743.
Martineau, A. R., et al. (2022). Vitamin D supplementation to reduce cancer mortality: Updated meta-analysis of RCTs. BMJ Open, 12(6), e058768.
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