Previous studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation can lower the risk of breast, colon, ovarian and prostate cancers. Approximately 50 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient, increasing their risk of cancer. The widespread use of sunscreens, reduced sun exposure, residence in northeastern US, and having more skin pigmentation, contributes to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate, often because it is not detected until late stages of the disease. Now research reports that vitamin D supplementation decreases the risk of pancreatic cancer.
The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, investigated whether dietary vitamin D, calcium, and retinol are associated with pancreatic cancer. Researchers at Northwestern University and Harvard University, analyzed the data of 46,771 men ages 40 to 75 years as part of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, and 75,427 women ages 38 to 65 years enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study. The participants were followed for 16 years. Food frequency questionnaires obtained from the participants were analyzed to determine nutrient intake.
The researchers found that 365 participants developed pancreatic cancer. The US Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin D is 400 IU per day. Findings revealed that participants with a 300 to 449 IU vitamin D intake per day from diet and supplements had a 43 percent lower risk of pancreatic cancer, compared to those whose vitamin D intake was less than 150 IU daily. Participants with a 150 to 299 IU vitamin D intake per day had a 22 percent lower risk of pancreatic cancer, compared to those with the lowest intake. Furthermore, participants with a 300 IU or greater vitamin D intake per day from diet alone had a 33 percent lower risk of pancreatic cancer. However, calcium and retinol intakes were not linked with pancreatic cancer risk.
"In two U.S. cohorts, higher intakes of vitamin D were associated with lower risks for pancreatic cancer," the study authors write. "Our results point to a potential role for vitamin D in the pathogenesis and prevention of pancreatic cancer."
REFERENCES:
1. Skinner HG et al. Vitamin D intake and the risk for pancreatic cancer in two cohort studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006 Sep;15(9):1688-95.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on December 24, 2006 12:56 PM
