New Findings on Vitamin D

 

Vitamin D is touted for all sorts of health benefits, so it is no surprise that is it the subject of many studies and trials. For example a recent double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 2 sites in Sao Paulo, Brazil concluded that large doses on Vitamin D were ineffective in treating Covid-19 symptoms. 

In an interview published in the January/February edition of Nutrition Action newsletter, JoAnn Mason, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-leader of the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) delivered mixed news about the efficacy of Vitamin D for heart health and cancer prevention.

The VITAL study includes almost 26,000 men and women from across the U.S. and investigates whether taking daily dietary supplements of Vitamin D3 (2000 IU) or omega-3 fatty acids (Omacor® fish oil, 1 gram) reduces the risk for developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke in people who do not have a prior history of these illnesses.

First the bad news. Over the 5 year study period, no reduction in cardiovascular events was observed among those taking 2,000IU of Vitamin D. Even among those who began the study with a low blood level of Vitamin D, no benefit was observed. There was also no observed reduction in new cancers among the Vitamin D takers.

But there was good news too. Looking only at those who had been in the trial for at least two years, a significant 25% reduction in cancer deaths was observed. So while the study showed no reduction in new cancers, it did indicate a reduction in cancer deaths.

"If Vitamin D makes cancers less invasive, less aggressive, and less likely to metastasize, you might see a reduction in cancer deaths," Dr. Manson theorized.

While this was not a conclusive finding and additional research is needed, it suggests a possible role for Vitamin D as part of cancer therapies. And of course, it does not question the benefits of Vitamin D for bone health or its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. 

Next time we will take a look at what VITAL says about Omega-3 fatty acids.