|
Last Updated: Oct 6, 2008 - 12:00:27 PM |
MONDAY May 12, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Maintaining a high level of vitamin D in the blood may increase the odds of survival for cancer patients, according to a new German study.
The study of 3,299 patients showed that the risk of death from fatal cancer was reduced by 55 percent in patients with higher vitamin D levels.
The results were published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Early studies have suggested that high levels of vitamin D dramatically reduce risk of development of a number of cancers including breast cancer, which can be prevented by as much as 70 percent.
The Canadian Cancer Society has already recommended for the supplementation of 1,000 IU/day vitamin D for all adults during winter and for persons who have high risk of vitamin D deficiency all year round. No such recommendation has been made by any U.S. medical organization.
In the study, Stefan Pilz from University of Heidelberg and team measured blood levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25-(OH)2D in the blood of participants who were followed up for 7.75 years and 95 died from cancers including cancers in the lung, colon and pancreas.
After potential confounding factors were considered, the researchers found people with the highest level of 25(OH)D (76.3 nanomoles per liter) were 55 percent less likely to die from fatal cancer than those who had the lowest levels (18.1 nanomples per liter).
For an increase of 25 nmol/L in 25(OH)D, the death risk due to cancers was reduced by a 34 percent. But no association was observed between 1,25(OH)2D and cancer risk.
The current recommendation for daily intake of vitamin D is very low ranging from 200 to 400 IU depending upon age. Experts have suggested that the level should be increased to 1,000 IU per day to have an anticancer effect. Generally, daily intake of vitamin 10,000 IU is considered safe.
© 2004-2008 by foodconsumer.org unless otherwise specified
Top of Page
Search Consumer-friendly Health Sites
