Your mom had always nagged you to go outdoors to play and catch some vitamin D. She had been right! A laboratory-population based research confirms that Vitamin D actually reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer. Here’s more, of the good news, it was also found that Vitamin D suppresses the growth and spread of cancer cells. Is not the first time I spoke about vitamin D and cancer but here there is some new research I found interesting to share.

Cancer research results

Research reveals that men born in the sunnier portions of the USA have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer as compared to men in areas with lesser sunshine. Moreover, men who live in the northern latitude who are therefore more exposed to sunshine than those in the Southern latitude have lesser risk. This all goes to prove that sun exposure correlate with the importance of Vitamin D with the risk of prostate cancer development.

Vitamin D on the spot

In one study done in Toronto, patients with prostate cancer were given 2,000 units of Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol daily for 21 days and found out that their Protein Specific Antigen, or PSA , the indicator or marker for prostate cancer, ceased to increase or has gone down. In the same study, it was discovered that in some men there had been a slowing of their PSA, which is attributed to the prolongation of their PSA doubling time. But is not sure we can’t use PSA as a good measurement as I said in a previous post. All in all, this indicates a regression or inactivity of the prostate cancer cells.

Another research reveals that apart from many functions in the body and maintaining a strong immune system, Vitamin D checks the spread of cancer during the stages of differentiation and apoptosis, the programmed cell death that keeps cell proliferation in check and effectively slows cancer progression by half.

Contradiction

However, some studies contradict these findings and suggest that vitamin D don’t actually help prostate cancer. Too much of the sunlight nutrient may actually make cells aggressive. Other studies suggest that it is the regularity of the blood levels of vitamin D that matters. A steady supply ensures the health of the prostate. During sunlit days, vitamin D is readily available in the body, but when winter creeps in, concentrations of vitamin D plunges. This sharp decrease and fluctuation disturb cell proliferation and growth, which unfortunately is a fertile soil for the development of cancer. They concluded that it is not how much vitamin D is concentrated in your body,  but the fluctuating concentrations that can bring about the aggressiveness and development of cancer cells. So we can conclude that a variation in vitamin D quantity have a important impact.

Although the results of studies are conflicting, it clearly shows that there is a relationship between the amount of Vitamin D and prostate cancer.

Take your Vitamin D from the sun

The most excellent and natural way to get Vitamin D without fear of over-dosage is exposure to the sun for 20-30 minutes. Ideally, it should be during the brightest and hottest time of the day for at least 2-3 days a week. Expose your hands and body but after 15 minutes use sun block to prevent skin cancer. This is equivalent to 10,000 I.U of the miracle vitamin.

During winter, include foods rich Vitamin D in your diet such as cod liver oil, sardines, herring, pink salmon, catfish, canned mackerel, caviar, egg yolk, shiitake and button mushrooms.
Additionally, supplements can also help you get your recommended allowance of 200 or 400 I.U of Vitamin D, but choose the more active form of cholecalciferol or Vitamin D3.

There’s clearly an association between Vitamin D and development and remission of prostate cancer. So, there’s no excuse for you, go out and enjoy the sun!