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A new survey reveals that taking vitamin D daily could reduce cancer mortality by 12%. Explanations.
We know that vitamin D has many health benefits. If it plays an essential role in the quality of bone tissue and in the proper functioning of the immune system, it could also reduce cancer mortality. At least that is the conclusion of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), resulting from an extensive investigation.
Daily vitamin D intake
To study the effectiveness of the vitamin, and more specifically vitamin D3, on cancer mortality in the population and on the survival of cancer patients, Ben Schöttker and his colleagues conducted a large survey combining data from 14 studies. .
In total, the health of 105,000 participants was closely examined. The latter were randomly assigned to a group taking vitamin D3 or to a placebo group.
Although no statistically significant results emerged at first, scientists quickly realized that the dosage of vitamin D was essential. Depending on whether vitamin D3 was taken daily in low doses (400 to 4,000 IU per day) or in higher doses given at longer intervals (60,000 to 120,000 IU once per month or less), a large difference was observed.
Thus, in the ten studies where participants took vitamin D daily, a significant reduction of 12% in cancer mortality was observed.
“We observed this 12% reduction in cancer mortality after untargeted administration of vitamin D3 to people with and without vitamin D deficiency. We can therefore assume that the effect is significantly greater for people who suffer actually vitamin D deficiency“, specifies the main author of the investigation, Ben Schöttker.
This reduction in cancer mortality could “by the more regular bioavailability of the active agent, the hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which is only produced by reactions of vitamin D in the body and can presumably inhibit tumor growth“, underline the researchers.
Differing results
Other studies had already established a link between a high absorption of vitamin D and a reduced risk of cancer of the colon and rectum.
Nevertheless “the results of these studies are absolutely not concordant. It is also unclear whether there is a link between vitamin D and the risk of other cancers (breast, prostate, pancreas)“, says the Foundation against Cancer.
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Other benefits of vitamin D
If the vitamin D-cancer link remains to be confirmed, the other health benefits of this vitamin are very real.
Vitamin D is thus found “essential for the formation, growth and repair of bones, for the normal absorption of calcium and for the proper functioning of the immune system“, relates the Foundation against Cancer.
To benefit from its health benefits, two options:it can be provided by food or synthesized by the body in the skin under the action of UV rays“, says Vanessa Bedjaï-Haddad, dietitian-nutritionist.
In food, we find it “in several foods of animal origin (D3) such as cod liver oil and fatty fish (herring, salmon, tuna, herring, anchovies). But also in butter, margarine, eggs, offal and vegetables (D2), at lower doses, such as yeasts, mushrooms or even cereals“, she specifies.
As for deficiencies, a simple blood test can reveal a lack of vitamin D.
“If necessary, in addition to a balanced diet, you can consider a course of food supplements without a medical prescription (in the form of capsules to be taken daily) or in a more dosed ampoule but on prescription (to be taken in a single dose and to be renewed 3 months later if necessary)“, concludes the expert.