In a new finding researcher say vitamin D increases the survival rate of breast cancer patients. The study is published in the March issue of Anticancer Research journal and it is reported by University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
In previous studies, researchers showed that low levels of vitamin D is linked to a high risk of premenopausal breast cancer. The study was conducted by researchers lead by Cedric F. Garland, DrPH, professor in the University of California San Diego Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.
Prof. Garland said he was prompted with the question about finding the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival rates among breast cancer people.
25-hydroxyvitamin D is a metabolite that is produced by our body from the ingestion of vitamin D.
The researchers performed a statistical analysis of five studies of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of different patients which were recorded at the time of diagnosis and also in the follow-up diagnosis for about nine years in average. In total they studied about 4,500 patients.
Prof. Garland said, “vitamin D metabolites increase communication between cells by switching on a protein that blocks aggressive cell division.”
He adds the presence of vitamin D receptors prevent tumor growth and keeps its blood supply away from expansion. Vitamin D receptors are usually lost when the tumor is very advanced.
“There is no compelling reason to wait for further studies to incorporate vitamin D supplements into standard care regimens since a safe dose of vitamin D needed to achieve high serum levels above 30 nanograms per milliliter has already been established,” Garland conclude.
National Institutes of Health recommends 600 IU vitamin D daily allowed for adults and for elder people above 70 years of age it is 800 IU.
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