Cancer Prevention Does Additional Vitamin D Prevent Women From Breast Cancer?

How does taking vitamin D affect breast cancer??

In recent years, there are always different statements about how the intake of vitamin D affects the human body. Researchers have now found that high levels of vitamin D reduce the risk of breast cancer in women.

Scientists at Creighton University and the American Cancer Society have found in their recent research that high levels of vitamin D can protect women from breast cancer. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "PLOS One".

Study investigated effects of different concentrations of vitamin D.

There are already many studies that say vitamin D can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women. So far, however, not many studies have investigated this association over a broad range of vitamin D concentrations, especially at concentrations> 40 ng / ml, the researchers explain. To examine the relationship between different areas of vitamin D and breast cancer risk, the physicians analyzed the data from two clinical trials and a prospective cohort that monitored a total of more than 5,000 women over a four-year period.

The risk of breast cancer was significantly reduced

The current prospective cohort was conducted to investigate the association between breast cancer risk in women and a wide range of serum 25 (OH) D levels, which is the primary form of vitamin D in the blood, the physicians explain. The 25 (OH) D concentrations were in the range of 60 ng / mg, add the experts. The mean age of participants was 63 and none of the subjects suffered from breast cancer at baseline. The data for the study was collected between the years 2002 and 2017 and the vitamin D level in the blood was measured several times. Surprisingly, researchers found that women with 25 (OH) D concentrations above 60 ng / ml had only one-fifth of women's breast cancer risk with a concentration of 20 ng / ml 25 (OH) D or less.

What is the best way to prevent breast cancer??

A marked increase in vitamin D blood levels above 20 ng / ml appears to be extremely important for the prevention of breast cancer, says study author Sharon McDonnell of the American Cancer Society. To achieve such a level, however, one person would need to take 4,000 to 6,000 units (IU) of supplements each day, perhaps less if there is sufficient sun exposure, the expert adds.

How much dietary supplement with vitamin D should be taken?

So far, however, the recommendations for taking supplements are much lower. Infants are advised to take only 400 IU of vitamin D3 daily, while people between the ages of one to 70 years are recommended to use 600 IU and 800 IU to all people over the age of 70. The question of the right and most healthy minimum vitamin D recommendation will continue to be fierce Discussions worry, the authors assume.

Further research is needed

In addition, the current study showed only results for postmenopausal breast cancer and all women in the study were white women, the researchers said. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the benefits of vitamin D in premenopausal breast cancer and in women of various ethnic backgrounds. Nevertheless, the researchers emphasize that the results of their research show a strong link between vitamin D and reduced breast cancer risk. (As)