Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for bone health, and it has also been found to have many other beneficial roles in several areas, including cardiovascular health, neuromuscular function, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
A new study from Germany examined the prospective association between vitamin D levels and cancer mortality in patients who were routinely referred to coronary angiography. 3257 patients were compared, none of whom had known advanced cancer at the beginning of the study. The patients’ levels of 1,25(OH)2D (active vitamin D) and 25(OH)D (a marker of vitamin D status) were measured. Follow up was done to determine incidences of cancer mortality.
The results of the study showed that low concentrations of serum 25(OH)D were associated with an increased risk of fatal cancer. The risk of cancer mortality was reduced by 34% for every increase of 25 nmol/L in blood levels of 25(OH)D. The association between cancer fatality and 25(OH)D levels remained significant after adjusting for possible confounding factors, and in various statistical models. Although there was no association between fatal cancer and levels of active vitamin D, it has been found in other studies that 1,25(OH)2D levels are not a good measure of whole-body vitamin D status, and that vitamin D levels are better assessed by concentrations of 25(OH)D, which is the rate limiting step of the conversion to active vitamin D.
These results are consistent with several other studies that found an association between vitamin D levels and cancer. While not all studies have found this result, the inconsistencies could perhaps be explained by the suggestion that the link between vitamin D deficiency and cancer may be stronger for fatal cancer than for cancer incidence. Also, the association between vitamin D and fatal cancer likely increases with severe vitamin D deficiencies.
Pilz S et al. Low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D predict fatal cancer in patients referred to coronary angiography. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008;17(5):1228-1233.
For more information see Vitamin D3 or D3 5000
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