Specialist on cancer dishes out singular dietary supplement thought to potentially lessen bowel cancer risk
Adding vitamin D to your daily routine could be a low-risk, preventative measure against colorectal cancer, a leading health care professional suggests.
This advice comes amid growing concerns about the rise in young adults diagnosed with the disease, with diagnoses having surged by 80% in the past three decades.
Professor Justin Stebbing, a renowned biomedical scientist at Anglia Ruskin University, has pointed to evidence suggesting the nutrient aids in battling the deadly disease.
Although not a miracle cure, he believes the potential benefits are promising enough to be considered as a possible way to minimize the risk of colorectal cancer.
"Moving towards maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels - at least 30 ng/mL - is a simple, cost-effective health strategy," he wrote for The Conversation. "Adding a balanced approach such as regular screening, maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and receiving personalized care could serve as valuable assets in the overall prevention of cancer."
Known as the 'sunshine vitamin', sources of this essential nutrient include sunlight, oily fish, red meat, and egg yolks. Moreover, supplements are readily available at pharmacies for around 2p per pill.
Despite established evidence regarding vitamin D's role in keeping bones, teeth, nerves, muscles, and the immune system healthy, its exact role in colorectal cancer prevention remains cloudy.
Scientific research has shown that vitamin D plays a vital part in combating inflammation in tissue, bolstering the immune system, and regulating cell growth, making it plausible that high vitamin D levels could reduce the risk of cancer.
Indeed, some studies propose that people with recommended vitamin D levels are significantly less likely to develop colorectal cancer. However, larger-scale clinical trials haven't consistently delivered the same promising results.
This discrepancy could indicate that only certain individuals profit from the reduced risk conferred by vitamin D supplementation, dosage dependency might be at play, or a combination of these factors.
It's also worth noting that debate exists on whether a deficiency in vitamin D contributes to the development of cancer, or if the initial stages of cancer cause levels to decrease.
In conclusion, while current evidence does not yet justify recommending vitamin D as a cancer prevention strategy, considering it is affordable, low-risk, and integral to various aspects of health, maintaining sufficient levels can still be a smart choice for your wellbeing.
"While it's not time to solely rely on supplements, ensuring adequate vitamin D levels – through sun exposure, diet, or supplements – remains a prudent choice for your overall health," Professor Stebbing said.
Charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) concurs that, despite ongoing research, there is no firm evidence demonstrating that a vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of cancer or that taking a vitamin D supplement specifically helps prevent cancer.
- Professor Justin Stebbing, a biomedical scientist, suggests that adding vitamin D to one's daily routine could be a preventative measure against colorectal cancer.
- The potential benefits of maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels, according to Professor Stebbing, could include a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
- Vitamin D plays a vital role in combating inflammation, bolstering the immune system, and regulating cell growth, suggesting it could help reduce the risk of cancer, especially colorectal cancer.
- Maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels, whether through diet, sun exposure, or supplements, remains a prudent choice for overall health, even though it may not yet be confirmed as a cancer prevention strategy.
