Vitamin D Does Not Possess Anti-Cancer Properties: Study

Debunking popular beliefs, Vitamin D may not be beneficial in cutting total cancer mortality rate, a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute highlights. However, people with higher vitamin D levels are less likely to die of colorectal cancer, researchers said on Tuesday.

To study the association between levels of vitamin D and total cancer mortality rate the research team lead by Dr. D. Michal Freedman analyzed data for 16,818 subjects who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey undertaken between 1988 and 1994.

The participants were aged 17 and above at the time of enrollment in the study. Using a standard test, levels of serum were measured at the start of the study.

After a follow-up of 10 years, 536 individuals died of cancer. Conversely, increased levels of vitamin D were associated with 72 percent reduced risk of death by colorectal cancer, researchers revealed.

Also, total cancer mortality was unrelated to vitamin D levels in the entire population (irrespective of age, sex, or race).

"The key finding was the lack of an association between vitamin D levels in the blood and subsequent total cancer risk. We were uncertain what association we would find, partly because there were no previous studies that had looked at overall cancer mortality after vitamin D blood measurements,” noted Freedman.

Popularly known as the “sunshine vitamin” because of its unique quality of being produced by the body by just basking in the warm sun, vitamin D is best known for its role in strengthening bone and fabricating healthy teeth.

Technically a hormone, Vitamin D is produced within the body when the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays in the sunlight. The basic function of vitamin D is to regulate the levels of calcium and phosphorous in the blood.

The results of the study feature in the current issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.