Research continues to show more and more benefits of higher vitamin D levels (50 ng/ml or better, which is equivalent to 125 nmol/l in international units). In fact many researchers are beginning to view 50 ng/ml as the "normal" vitamin D level, rather than the much lower levels advocated by the Institute of Medicine.
Study finds vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of cancer related deathsCurrent research indicates that vitamin D is more protective than preventative when it comes to most cancers. That is, if an individual has cancer, higher 25(OH)D levels may extend their life. This was recently confirmed in a study from Australia of about 1,200 elderly women who were followed for about ten years after having their baseline 25(OH)D measured in 1998.
The researchers found that death from cancer decreased by 33% for every 12 ng/ml (30nmol/l) increase in 25(OH)D. They also analyzed the cancer mortality risk by comparing those with very low serum 25 (OH) D concentrations (less than 18 ng/ml; 45 nmol/l) to those with baseline serum 25 (OH) D concentrations greater than 33 ng/ml (82.5 nmol/l). They found an increased risk of cancer death by at least 2.6 fold among those with very low serum 25 (OH) D concentrations (HR: 2.63; p = 0.04).
The authors did not want to say what their study actually showed, which was the association between death from cancer and baseline 25(OH)D. These findings were linear without evidence of a cut-off at 20 or 30 ng/ml.
The take away message from this study is that if you have cancer, higher vitamin D levels may extend your life.
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