Vitamin D Could Cut Risk of Cancer By Half

A LARGE daily dose of vitamin D can lower the risk of developing common cancers by as much as 50%, scientists claimed last night.

Researchers have found the “natural” form of the vitamin, known as D3, can dramatically reduce the chances of developing breast, ovarian and colon cancer, as well as others.

Taking 1,000 international units (IU) of the vitamin daily could lower an individual’s cancer risk by 50%, they said.

However such large doses must be treated with caution. More than 2,000 IU a day can lead to the body absorbing too much calcium, and possibly damage the liver and kidneys.

D3 is produced in the skin by the action of sunlight, but is also obtained in limited amounts from certain foods. A glass of milk, for instance, contains 100 IU of the vitamin.

US researchers carried out a review of 63 studies looking at the relationship between blood levels of vitamin D and cancer risk.

Analysis showed that, for some cancers, the vitamin D factor could not be ignored.

Professor Cedric Garland, from the University of California at San Diego, who led the review study, said: “Primary prevention of these cancers has largely been neglected, but we now have proof the incidence of colon, breast, and ovarian cancer can be reduced dramatically by increasing the public’s intake of vitamin D.”

The findings will be published today in the American Journal of Public Health.