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 to 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.
While showing no evidence of vitamin D's ability to avoid cancer in healthy subjects, the research still provides important and reliable results for those already affected, examining as many as 79.000 patients undergoing a randomized intake of vitamin D.
"The difference in the death rate between the placebo and vitamin D groups was really significant," concludes Haykal.
It will now be necessary to refine research and results: it remains to be understood how much vitamin D dosage is optimal for best results, and how long this protection extends to patients.
"All we currently know is that 3 years of employment are enough to achieve an increase in life expectancy."
Waiting to know even more details on the benefits, Haykal still suggests to doctors and oncologists to prescribe vitamin D, because "in the face of safe beneficial properties it has very few side effects".
Source: Michigan State University
