Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer, Wonder Drug or Not?

STARTER GUIDES

DISEASE BASICS

DECISION TIME

AFTER TREATMENT

LIVING & COPING

RESOURCES

SITE INFO

Vitamin D and prostate cancer, is it a wonder drug?

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the benefits of vitamin D, particularly in the prevention of prostate, colon, and breast cancers. We know that as men get older, the incidence of prostate cancer rises, and studies have shown that the elderly have lower levels of this important vitamin.

You can get your daily “D” in several ways:

By eating foods like fish, eggs, and fortified dairy products (although the amounts are small)

By taking supplements

By sitting in the sun (but you’ve got to be careful about skin cancer)

Recently, Gupta et all did an extensive search to identify all the epidemiological studies on the relationship between vitamin D and prostate cancer. Below is what they found, but remember that the challenge with epidemiological studies is that they can only show that a factor is associated with an outcome in men with prostate cancer. They cannot prove a definite cause of the outcome.

Results of studies were mostly conflicting or negative about the benefits of getting this vitamin from food

In one study, men who took supplements (greater than 600 IU daily) had less of a risk of prostate cancer (40% reduction). However, nine other studies did not prove a protective factor. The authors of this study suggested that perhaps the levels taken need to be higher to really determine the benefits

Of ten studies reviewed, most showed that exposure to sunlight may offer a protective factor against prostate cancer

Results were conflicting in seven studies that were conducted to determine if having a vitamin D deficiency increases a man’s risk for prostate cancer

When we last checked the U.S. National Institutes of Health clinical trials database, there were several cancer centers recruiting patients to determine the effects of supplements on men who already have prostate cancer.

One of those trials includes four groups (called experimental arms) of men who will take oral cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) once a day. The doses will include 4,000 IU; 6,000 IU; 8,000 IU; and 10,000 IU. These amounts are much higher than previous studies (the study will also assess risk of toxicity) that have been conducted, and considerably higher than the daily recommended intake. The National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements states that adequate daily intake for men aged 51-70 is 400 IU and 600 IU for men over age 70.

So while there currently isn’t any solid evidence that taking a daily "D" supplement can help men who have prostate cancer, it is interesting that the National Cancer Institute and other leading cancer centers are conducting research on vitamin D and prostate cancer.

Updated 6/09

Always discuss everything you read on this web site with a qualified medical professional.

Back to prostate cancer and nutrition
Return from vitamin D to homepage

References:
Gupta D et al. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2009 Apr 7. [Epub ahead of print]

National Institutes of Health. Dietary supplement fact sheet. Accessed April 16, 2009.