The research presented yesterday at the annual congress of the American Society of Clinical Oncology highlights that the constant intake of Vitamin D, for at least 3 years, helps cancer patients live longer.
The finding demonstrates qualities that go far beyond benefiting bones: “Vitamin D has a notable effect on reducing the risk of death,” explains Tarek Haykal, author of the study and physician at Michigan State University.
Although it does not show evidence of the ability of vitamin D to prevent cancer in healthy subjects, the research nevertheless provides important and reliable results for those who are already affected, examining 79.000 patients subjected to a random intake of vitamin D.
“The difference in mortality rate between the groups that took the placebo and those that took vitamin D was really significant,” concludes Haykal.
It will now be necessary to refine research and results: We still need to understand how much vitamin D dosage is optimal to obtain better results, and how much this protection extends to patients over time.
“All we currently know is that 3 years of intake is enough to get an increase in life expectancy.”
While waiting to know even more details on the benefits, Haykal still suggests that doctors and oncologists prescribe vitamin D, because "despite its certain beneficial properties, it has very few side effects".
Source: Michigan State University
