Vitamin D lowers risk of cancer death – study
Supplementing with vitamin D may lower the risk of cancer death by
16%, according to new research.
Scientists from China and the US, analysing data from 52 studies covering
almost 76 000 participants, found that “vitamin D supplementation reduced risk
of cancer death by 16%.”
They proposed additional studies on vitamin D’s role in helping reduce death
from other chronic diseases, while the US Council
for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), said the findings were “promising” and
encouraged further research.
“Cancer is complex and multifactorial. Taking a long-term, comprehensive
approach in consultation with a healthcare practitioner is what contributes the
most to disease prevention. Optimal nutrition is only one component of many,”
said the CRN’s Andrea Wong.
“Everyone…has a nutritional need for vitamin D. It is an essential nutrient,
critical to overall health, and yet most people do not get enough…”
The findings come as new research shows
that cancer is fast surpassing cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of
death among middle-aged patients in several countries.
And they follow an earlier US study of data
from over 79 000 patients which found that vitamin D supplementation could
help cancer patients live longer. A Japanese study of over 4
000 patients found that higher levels of vitamin D may be linked to a lower
risk of developing cancer.
The chairperson of the Health Products Association of Southern Africa (HPA), Maria Ascencao, said the findings
further highlighted the benefits of vitamin D beyond contributing only to
healthy bones.
She said research showed that at least 17% of the
global population is deficient, although this figure is believed to be higher in SA due
to low sun exposure in winter.
Deficiency may be an underlying cause of a wide range of infections and
illnesses, and may be reversed by supplementation. Other studies have also
shown that supplementation may:
- help cut flu risk by up to 42%
- prevent winter anaemia while boosting white blood cell count
- reduce risk of HIV infection and slow down HIV progression in infected individuals and;
- help relieve the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).