Vitamin D is widely known for boosting bone health, muscle strength and immune function, but it also has a variety of other benefits, including cancer prevention.
A new study published in the Journal Nutrients suggests that common vitamins are effective in preventing and treating colorectal cancer.
Hungarian researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 50 previous studies, including over 1.3 million participants, focusing on the potential effects of vitamin D on cancer risk, immunity and inflammation.
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“The most important finding is that vitamin D plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer,” Dr. János Tamás Varga, an associate professor at Semmelweis University in Budapest, told Fox News Digital.
Vitamin D is widely known for boosting bone health, muscle strength and immune function, but it also has a variety of other benefits, including cancer prevention. (istock)
“Our study clearly supports a strong correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (the main form of vitamin D) levels and cancer outcomes.”
Cancer patients with low vitamin D levels showed a lower prognosis.
Vitamin D has been shown to reduce inflammation, promote cancer cell death, inhibit tumor growth, and promote immune responses, researchers found.
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“These mechanisms have a major impact on the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer,” Varga said.
In addition to prevention, vitamin D supplementation has also been shown to improve survival rates in advanced stage colorectal cancer patients.
“The results suggest that the effect of vitamin D may depend on factors such as dose, individual patient status, duration of treatment,” Vargas added.
The main source of vitamin D is exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. (istock)
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has previously referenced research suggesting that vitamin D may reduce cancer risk, particularly colorectal cancer.
“However, it is not a large study that vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of colorectal polyps (pre-cancer growth) or cancer,” ACS said on its website.
“The optimal dosage should be adjusted to suit your individual’s health and current vitamin D levels.”
One important limitation of this study is that the studies included in the analysis used various vitamin D doses and involved patients at different stages of cancer, the authors noted.
They sought further research to accurately determine the optimal dosage and “therapeutic effect.”
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“Based on our research, we recommend that people at high risk for colorectal cancer monitor their vitamin D levels and take daily vitamin D supplements of 1000-4000 IU, if necessary.
“The optimal dosage should be adjusted to suit your individual’s health and current vitamin D levels.”
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For doctors, researchers suggest that vitamin D levels be measured and supplemented regularly for both preventive and therapeutic purposes.
“Vitamin D plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer, but further research is needed to determine the specific role of optimal agents and genetic factors,” Fekete added.
One important limitation of this study is that the studies included in the analysis used various vitamin D doses and involved patients at different stages of cancer, the authors noted. (istock)
“More scientific investigation is needed for the molecular mechanisms of vitamin D, such as regulation of oncogenes (mutated genes that can lead to cancer) and inhibition of tumor progression.”
The effects of vitamin D are closely related to the patient’s condition, so doctors said treatment recommendations should be personalized.
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The main source of vitamin D is exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
It is also available from nutritional sources, according to ACS, which includes fatty fish and mushrooms.
Some foods, such as milk, orange juice and cereal, are fortified with vitamin D. (istock)
According to the above sources, there are also some vitamin D-fortified foods, such as milk, orange juice and cereal.
People can also take vitamin D supplements to improve their levels.
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“Most Americans don’t get enough vitamin D while they’re eating, and many people have low levels of vitamin D in their blood,” ACS said on its website.
“The role of vitamin D in reducing cancer risk remains a vigorous area of ​​research and discussion, but we recommend avoiding low vitamin D levels.”
