Cancer patients with higher levels of vitamin D at the time of diagnosis have greater survival rates, a new study finds.
Vitamin D plays several roles in the body. Along with facilitating the proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus needed for healthy bones, this vitamin also binds with a protein called a vitamin D receptor to assist in other biological processes. Vitamin D receptor is present in every cell of the body.
Adding to the long list of benefits vitamin D offers, a team of international researchers found that higher levels of this vitamin in cancer patients increase their survival rates. For the new study, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 35 studies including 17,332 cancer patients. All these studies examined vitamin D levels in the participating patients. These levels were measured before the patient underwent any treatment for cancer. Researchers noted that a 10 nmol/L increase in vitamin D levels increased survival rates by 4 percent.
Though the association held across all types of cancer, the link was stronger among breast cancer, lymphoma and colorectal cancer patients.
"Considering that vitamin D deficiency is a widespread issue all over the world, it is important to ensure that everyone has sufficient levels of this important nutrient," study author Hui Wang said in a news release. "Physicians need to pay close attention to vitamin D levels in people who have been diagnosed with cancer."
Despite previous studies suggesting vitamin D helps ward off diseases like cardiovascular events, diabetes, and colorectal cancer, a 2013 study found no evidence of any such association. This led to several studies questioning the benefits of vitamin D. In fact, University of Auckland published a report suggesting vitamin D is a waste of money for already-healthy individuals as it provides no health benefits to them.
This current study also doesn't mention whether vitamin D keeps cancer at bay. The researchers pointed out that it only increases survival rates among cancer patients, though the exact mechanism behind this is yet to be determined.
The study will be published in the July issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
