2023-06-16 06:40:40
Vitamin D appears to play a role in increasing the chances of surviving cancer. The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) at an investigation came.
Vitamin D deficiency in cancer patients probably more common
According to the DKFZ, a total of 14 studies with around 105,000 participants were evaluated. Only high-quality studies were considered, in which the participants were randomly assigned either Vitamin received D3 or a placebo. What exactly do the results mean for people with cancer?
The DKFZ says that Vitamin D Deficiency often found in cancer patients. Normally, 15 percent of adults in Germany are affected by this deficiency. However, a study of colorectal cancer patients found that 59 percent of the participants suffered from a vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D against cancer? According to studies, the chance of survival is higher
The studies show that taking vitamin D3 can have a positive effect in fighting cancer. “According to current studies, vitamin D3 intake probably does not protect against developing cancer, but could reduce the likelihood of dying from cancer,” says Ben Schöttker, an epidemiologist at the German Cancer Research Center.
The study concludes that people over the age of 70 benefit most from treatment with vitamin D. The effect is also greatest if vitamin D was taken before the cancer diagnosis.
If you are now thinking of taking preventive vitamin D every day, it is better to clarify this with a doctor. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warns of the harmful effects of a Vitamin D overdose. Adults should therefore not take more than 100 micrograms a day.
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Vitamin D and cancer: what dose should make sense?
The effects of vitamin D in cancer also depend on the dose, according to research. In the studies examined, vitamin D3 was sometimes administered occasionally in high doses, sometimes in low doses daily. According to the DKFZ, no effects were found at high doses.
It should look different with daily vitamin D3 intake: the summary of ten studies has shown that cancer mortality has decreased by twelve percent.
Epidemiologist Ben Schöttker says: “We observed this 12 percent reduction in cancer mortality after untargeted vitamin D3 doses in people with and without vitamin D deficiency.” However, it can be assumed that the effect in people with Vitamin D Deficiency is significantly higher.
But why does research show that daily dosing has a greater effect than occasional and higher intake? Ben Schöttker explains this by the more regular availability of the hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. This is only caused by a reaction of vitamin D in the body and probably inhibits the growth of tumors.
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