31 March 2014
According to a new US review higher blood vitamin D concentrations seems to be associated with a lower mortality risk of breast cancer patients.
The meta-analysis included the results of five studies which measured the serum vitamin D concentrations of a total of 4,443 breast cancer patients at the time of diagnosis as well as during an average of nine-years follow up and documented breast cancer related death cases (1). The analysis showed that higher serum concentrations of vitamin D were associated with lower death case rates after diagnosis of breast cancer. Specifically, patients with the highest vitamin D levels (average level of 30 ng/ml) had approximately half the death rate from breast cancer as those in the lowest (average level of 17 ng/ml).
The researchers concluded that the application of vitamin D can be added to the breast cancer patient’s standard therapy. There would be 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. The scientists added that vitamin D metabolites are thought to increase the communication between cells by switching on a protein that blocks aggressive cell division. As long as vitamin D receptors are present, tumor growth is prevented and kept from expanding its blood supply (2). Vitamin D receptors are not lost until a tumor is very advanced. This may be the reason for better survival in patients whose vitamin D blood levels are high. Previous studies indicated that low vitamin D levels seem to be linked to a high risk of premenopausal breast cancer (3).
19 May 2011
Unlike in Nepal, vitamin A or beta-carotene supplementation has shown no effect on pregnancy-related mortality and infant mortality in Bangladesh, says a new US study.
8 September 2015
A new study from Israel suggests that taking omega-3 fatty acids supplements may reduce craving for nicotine and the number of cigarettes that people smoke a day.
20 June 2019
Dietary fiber is part of a balanced and healthy diet. It is found naturally in plant foods. Dietary fiber’s benefits come from not being absorbed: dietary fiber passes through our bodies largely intact, and this is what makes it so helpful. However, many people do not get enough! How can we get more fiber in our diets?
