09 May 2014
According to a new review from China, cancer patients who have high blood vitamin D concentrations when they are diagnosed tend to have better survival rates and remain in remission longer.
The meta-analysis evaluated the results of 25 studies that measured blood vitamin D levels of a total of 17,332 cancer patients at or near the time of diagnosis and measured survival rates (1). The data analysis found a 10 nmol/L increase in vitamin D levels was tied to a 4% increase in survival of the patients. The strongest link was found between vitamin D levels and survival in breast cancer, lymphoma and colorectal cancer. There was also a positive (but less strong) effect of vitamin D in participants with lung cancer, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, melanoma or Merkel cell carcinoma.
The researchers commented that, as vitamin D levels may affect the prognosis of cancer patients, physicians need to pay close attention to vitamin D status in people who have been diagnosed with cancer. They said that as vitamin D deficiency is a widespread issue all over the world, it is important to ensure that everyone has sufficient levels of this nutrient. Several epidemiological studies have associated higher vitamin D levels (above 75 nmol/L) with significantly reduced mortality in patients with cancer (2, 3). Randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation can improve survival in cancer patients with low vitamin D status (below 50 nmol/L) at diagnosis and before treatment. Experimental studies have shown that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the bioactive form of vitamin D, may inhibit cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis, and induce cancer cell maturation and apoptosis (4).
17 October 2014
A new study reports that a daily treatment of children with a vitamin D supplement seems to significantly reduce the symptoms of winter-related atopic dermatitis.
7 January 2013
A new Australian review claims that the use of dietary supplements does not increase the risk of death.
1 April 2011
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of blood sugar metabolism with temporary or permanent increase in blood glucose levels. Diabetics have a significantly increased risk for serious comorbidities and complications and, consequently, mortality. The World Health Organization estimates that the number of deaths due to diabetes will double by 2030. The causes of this are the general population growth and increase in age, an unhealthy diet, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
