phooph
10-05-2008, 03:31 AM
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, October 2, 2008
Vitamin D Stops Cancer; Cuts Risk In Half
American Cancer Society Drags its Feet
A new study of 3,299 persons has shown that those with higher levels of
vitamin D cut their risk of dying from cancer in half. (1) Another
recent study shows that ample intake of vitamin D, about 2,000 IU per
day, can cut breast cancer incidence by half. (2) Still more research
found that inadequate Vitamin D is "associated with high incidence rates
of colorectal cancer" and specifically urges that "prompt public health
action is needed to increase intake of Vitamin D-3 to 1000 IU/day." (3)
Vitamin D's anticancer properties are so evident, and so important, that
the Canadian Cancer Society now recommends supplementation with 1,000 IU
of Vitamin D per day for all adults in winter, and year-round for
persons at risk. (4)
The American Cancer Society, however, is dragging its feet, still
maintaining that "More research is needed to define the best levels of
intake and blood levels of vitamin D for cancer risk reduction." (5)
What is taking them so long?
Researchers in 2006 noted that "The evidence suggests that efforts to
improve vitamin D status, for example by vitamin D supplementation,
could reduce cancer incidence and mortality at low cost, with few or no
adverse effects." (6)
If you search the US National Institutes of Health's Medline online
database for "cancer vitamin D," you will find over five thousand
papers. . . some dating back nearly 60 years.
It's true: physician reports on vitamin D stopping cancer have been
ignored for decades. In 1951, T. Desmonts reported that vitamin D
treatment was effective against Hodgkin's disease (a cancer of the
lymphatic system). (7) That same year, 57 years ago, massive doses of
vitamin D were also observed to improve epithelioma. (8) In 1955, skin
cancer was again reported as cured with vitamin D treatment. (9) In
1963, there was a promising investigation done on vitamin D and breast
cancer. (10) Then, in 1964, vitamin D was found to be effective against
lymph nodal reticulosarcoma, a non-Hodgkin' s lymphatic cancer. (11)
The American Cancer Society has been obsessed with finding a drug cure
for cancer. Pharmaceutical researchers are not looking for a vitamin
cure. And when one is presented, as independent investigators and
physicians have continuously been doing since 1951, it is ignored.
No longer. Michael Holick, MD, Boston University Professor of Medicine,
has come right out and said it: "We can reduce cancer risk by 30 to 50%
by increasing vitamin D. We gave mice colon cancer, and followed them
for 20 days. Tumor growth was markedly reduced simply by having vitamin
D in the diet. There was a 40% reduction in tumor size. And, casual sun
exposure actually decreases your risk of melanoma. Everyone needs 1,000
IU of vitamin D3 each day." (12)
What about safety? Yes, it is possible to get too much vitamin D, but it
is not easy. "One man took one million IU of vitamin D per day, orally,
for six months, "says Dr Holick. "Of course, he had the symptoms of
severe vitamin D intoxication. His treatment was hydration (lots of
water), and no more vitamin D or sunshine for a while. He's perfectly
happy and healthy. This was published in the New England Journal of
Medicine.(13) I have no experience of anyone dying from vitamin
exposure. In thirty years, I've never seen it."
There are, of course, some reasonable cautions with its use. Persons
with hyperparathyroidism , lymphoma, lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis,
sarcoidosis, kidney disease, or those taking digitalis, calcium
channel-blockers, or thiazide diuretics, should have physician
supervision before and while taking extra vitamin D. And when employing
large doses of vitamin D, periodic testing is advisable.
But 1,000 IU per day of vitamin D is simple and safe. Some authorities
recommend much more. (14, 15) The American Cancer Society recommends
less.
What a shame.
References:
(1) Pilz S, Dobnig H, Winklhofer-Roob B et al. Low serum levels of
25-hydroxyvitamin D predict fatal cancer in patients referred to
coronary angiography. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008
May;17(5):1228- 33. Epub 2008 May 7.
(2) Garland CF, Gorham ED, Mohr SB et al. Vitamin D and prevention of
breast cancer: pooled analysis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2007.
Mar;103(3-5) :708-11.
(3) Gorham ED, Garland CF, Garland FC, Grant WB, Mohr SB, Lipkin M,
Newmark HL, Giovannucci E, Wei M, Holick MF. Vitamin D and prevention of
colorectal cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2005 Oct;97(1-2): 179-94.
(4)
https://www.cancer. ca/Canada- wide/About% 20us/Media% 20centre/ CW-Media% 20re\
leases/CW-2007/ Canadian% 20Cancer% 20Society% 20Announces% 20Vitamin% 20D%20R\
ecommendation. aspx?sc_lang= en (https://www.cancer.ca/Canada-wide/About%20us/Media%20centre/CW-Media%20releases/CW-2007/Canadian%20Cancer%20Society%20Announces%20Vitamin%20D%20Recommendation.aspx?sc_lang=en)
<https://www.cancer. ca/Canada- wide/About% 20us/Media% 20centre/ CW-Media% 20r\
eleases/CW-2007/ Canadian% 20Cancer% 20Society% 20Announces% 20Vitamin% 20D%20\
Recommendation. aspx?sc_lang= en (https://www.cancer.ca/Canada-wide/About%20us/Media%20centre/CW-Media%20releases/CW-2007/Canadian%20Cancer%20Society%20Announces%20Vitamin%20D%20Recommendation.aspx?sc_lang=en)>
(5)
https://www.cancer. org/docroot/ PED/content/ PED_3_2X_ Diet_and_ Activity_ Fac\
tors_That_Affect_ Risks.asp (https://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Diet_and_Activity_Factors_That_Affect_Risks.asp)
<https://www.cancer. org/docroot/ PED/content/ PED_3_2X_ Diet_and_ Activity_ Fa\
ctors_That_Affect_ Risks.asp (https://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Diet_and_Activity_Factors_That_Affect_Risks.asp)>
Accessed Aug 29, 2008.
(6) Garland CF, Garland FC, Gorham ED, Lipkin M, Newmark H, Mohr SB,
Holick MF. The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention. Am J Public
Health. 2006 Feb;96(2):252- 61.
(7) Desmonts T, Duclos M, Dalmau. [Favorable effect of vitamin D on the
evolution of a case of Hodgkin's disease.] Sang. 1951;22(1):74- 5. And:
DESMONTS T. [Favorable action of vitamin D in leukemic erythroderma and
Hodgkin's disease.] Pathol Gen. 1951 Mar;51(326): 161-4. Also: VACCARI R.
[Vitamin D2 and experimental carcinogenesis. ] Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper.
1952 Aug-Oct;28(8- 10):1567- 9.
(8) Sainz de Aja Ea. [Case of an epithelioma in a patient treated with
massive doses of vitamin D.] Actas Dermosifiliogr. 1951
Nov;43(2):169- 70.
(9) Linser P. [Spontaneous cure of skin carcinoma by vitamin D
treatment.] Dermatol Wochenschr. 1955;132(40) :1072-3. German.
(10) Gordan GS, Schachter D. Vitamin D activity of normal and neoplastic
human breast tissue. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1963 Jul;113:760- 1.
(11) Desmonts T, Blin J. [Action of Vitamin D3 on the course of a lymph
nodal reticulosarcoma. ] Rev Pathol Gen Physiol Clin. 1964 Mar;64:137.
French.
(12) Andrew W. Saul Interviews Michael F. Holick, MD, PhD.
https://www.doctoryo urself.com/ holick.html (https://www.doctoryourself.com/holick.html)
<https://www.doctoryo urself.com/ holick.html (https://www.doctoryourself.com/holick.html)>
(13) Koutkia P, Chen TC, Holick MF. Vitamin D intoxication associated
with an over-the-counter supplement. N Engl J Med. 2001 Jul
5;345(1):66- 7.
(14) Vitamin D Boosts Health, Cuts Cancer Risk in Half. Orthomolecular
Medicine News Service, October 3, 2007.
https://orthomolecul ar.org/resources /omns/v03n06. shtml (https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n06.shtml)
<https://orthomolecul ar.org/resources /omns/v03n06. shtml (https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n06.shtml)>
(15) Doctors Say, Raise the RDAs Now. Orthomolecular Medicine News
Service, October 30, 2007.
https://orthomolecul ar.org/resources /omns/v03n10. shtml (https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n10.shtml)
<https://orthomolecul ar.org/resources /omns/v03n10. shtml (https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n10.shtml)>
For more information:
Saul AW. Vitamin D: Deficiency, diversity and dosage. J Orthomolecular
Med, 2003. Vol 18, No 3 and 4, p 194-204.
https://www.doctoryo urself.com/ dvitamin. htm (https://www.doctoryourself.com/dvitamin.htm)
<https://www.doctoryo urself.com/ dvitamin. htm (https://www.doctoryourself.com/dvitamin.htm)>
Online access to free archive of nutritional medicine journal papers:
https://orthomolecul ar.org/library/ jom/ (https://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/)
<https://orthomolecul ar.org/library/ jom/ (https://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/)>
A free, non-commercial vitamin D newsletter is available from John
Cannell, M.D., and the Vitamin D Council:
https://www.vitamind council.org (https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/) <https://www.vitamind council.org/ (https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/)>
Sunlight, Nutrition And Health Research Center:
https://www.sunarc. org (https://www.sunarc.org/) <https://www.sunarc. org/ (https://www.sunarc.org/)>
Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine
Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to
fight illness. For more information:
https://www.orthomol ecular.org (https://www.orthomolecular.org/) <https://www.orthomol ecular.org/ (https://www.orthomolecular.org/)>
The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit
and non-commercial informational resource.
Editorial Review Board:
Damien Downing, M.D.
Harold D. Foster, Ph.D.
Steve Hickey, Ph.D.
Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.
James A. Jackson, PhD
Bo H. Jonsson, MD, Ph.D
Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D.
Erik Paterson, M.D.
Gert E. Shuitemaker, Ph.D.
Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D., Editor and contact person. Email:
omns@orthomolecular .org (https://us.mc531.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=omns%40orthomolecular.org)
Vitamin D Stops Cancer; Cuts Risk In Half
American Cancer Society Drags its Feet
A new study of 3,299 persons has shown that those with higher levels of
vitamin D cut their risk of dying from cancer in half. (1) Another
recent study shows that ample intake of vitamin D, about 2,000 IU per
day, can cut breast cancer incidence by half. (2) Still more research
found that inadequate Vitamin D is "associated with high incidence rates
of colorectal cancer" and specifically urges that "prompt public health
action is needed to increase intake of Vitamin D-3 to 1000 IU/day." (3)
Vitamin D's anticancer properties are so evident, and so important, that
the Canadian Cancer Society now recommends supplementation with 1,000 IU
of Vitamin D per day for all adults in winter, and year-round for
persons at risk. (4)
The American Cancer Society, however, is dragging its feet, still
maintaining that "More research is needed to define the best levels of
intake and blood levels of vitamin D for cancer risk reduction." (5)
What is taking them so long?
Researchers in 2006 noted that "The evidence suggests that efforts to
improve vitamin D status, for example by vitamin D supplementation,
could reduce cancer incidence and mortality at low cost, with few or no
adverse effects." (6)
If you search the US National Institutes of Health's Medline online
database for "cancer vitamin D," you will find over five thousand
papers. . . some dating back nearly 60 years.
It's true: physician reports on vitamin D stopping cancer have been
ignored for decades. In 1951, T. Desmonts reported that vitamin D
treatment was effective against Hodgkin's disease (a cancer of the
lymphatic system). (7) That same year, 57 years ago, massive doses of
vitamin D were also observed to improve epithelioma. (8) In 1955, skin
cancer was again reported as cured with vitamin D treatment. (9) In
1963, there was a promising investigation done on vitamin D and breast
cancer. (10) Then, in 1964, vitamin D was found to be effective against
lymph nodal reticulosarcoma, a non-Hodgkin' s lymphatic cancer. (11)
The American Cancer Society has been obsessed with finding a drug cure
for cancer. Pharmaceutical researchers are not looking for a vitamin
cure. And when one is presented, as independent investigators and
physicians have continuously been doing since 1951, it is ignored.
No longer. Michael Holick, MD, Boston University Professor of Medicine,
has come right out and said it: "We can reduce cancer risk by 30 to 50%
by increasing vitamin D. We gave mice colon cancer, and followed them
for 20 days. Tumor growth was markedly reduced simply by having vitamin
D in the diet. There was a 40% reduction in tumor size. And, casual sun
exposure actually decreases your risk of melanoma. Everyone needs 1,000
IU of vitamin D3 each day." (12)
What about safety? Yes, it is possible to get too much vitamin D, but it
is not easy. "One man took one million IU of vitamin D per day, orally,
for six months, "says Dr Holick. "Of course, he had the symptoms of
severe vitamin D intoxication. His treatment was hydration (lots of
water), and no more vitamin D or sunshine for a while. He's perfectly
happy and healthy. This was published in the New England Journal of
Medicine.(13) I have no experience of anyone dying from vitamin
exposure. In thirty years, I've never seen it."
There are, of course, some reasonable cautions with its use. Persons
with hyperparathyroidism , lymphoma, lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis,
sarcoidosis, kidney disease, or those taking digitalis, calcium
channel-blockers, or thiazide diuretics, should have physician
supervision before and while taking extra vitamin D. And when employing
large doses of vitamin D, periodic testing is advisable.
But 1,000 IU per day of vitamin D is simple and safe. Some authorities
recommend much more. (14, 15) The American Cancer Society recommends
less.
What a shame.
References:
(1) Pilz S, Dobnig H, Winklhofer-Roob B et al. Low serum levels of
25-hydroxyvitamin D predict fatal cancer in patients referred to
coronary angiography. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008
May;17(5):1228- 33. Epub 2008 May 7.
(2) Garland CF, Gorham ED, Mohr SB et al. Vitamin D and prevention of
breast cancer: pooled analysis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2007.
Mar;103(3-5) :708-11.
(3) Gorham ED, Garland CF, Garland FC, Grant WB, Mohr SB, Lipkin M,
Newmark HL, Giovannucci E, Wei M, Holick MF. Vitamin D and prevention of
colorectal cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2005 Oct;97(1-2): 179-94.
(4)
https://www.cancer. ca/Canada- wide/About% 20us/Media% 20centre/ CW-Media% 20re\
leases/CW-2007/ Canadian% 20Cancer% 20Society% 20Announces% 20Vitamin% 20D%20R\
ecommendation. aspx?sc_lang= en (https://www.cancer.ca/Canada-wide/About%20us/Media%20centre/CW-Media%20releases/CW-2007/Canadian%20Cancer%20Society%20Announces%20Vitamin%20D%20Recommendation.aspx?sc_lang=en)
<https://www.cancer. ca/Canada- wide/About% 20us/Media% 20centre/ CW-Media% 20r\
eleases/CW-2007/ Canadian% 20Cancer% 20Society% 20Announces% 20Vitamin% 20D%20\
Recommendation. aspx?sc_lang= en (https://www.cancer.ca/Canada-wide/About%20us/Media%20centre/CW-Media%20releases/CW-2007/Canadian%20Cancer%20Society%20Announces%20Vitamin%20D%20Recommendation.aspx?sc_lang=en)>
(5)
https://www.cancer. org/docroot/ PED/content/ PED_3_2X_ Diet_and_ Activity_ Fac\
tors_That_Affect_ Risks.asp (https://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Diet_and_Activity_Factors_That_Affect_Risks.asp)
<https://www.cancer. org/docroot/ PED/content/ PED_3_2X_ Diet_and_ Activity_ Fa\
ctors_That_Affect_ Risks.asp (https://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Diet_and_Activity_Factors_That_Affect_Risks.asp)>
Accessed Aug 29, 2008.
(6) Garland CF, Garland FC, Gorham ED, Lipkin M, Newmark H, Mohr SB,
Holick MF. The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention. Am J Public
Health. 2006 Feb;96(2):252- 61.
(7) Desmonts T, Duclos M, Dalmau. [Favorable effect of vitamin D on the
evolution of a case of Hodgkin's disease.] Sang. 1951;22(1):74- 5. And:
DESMONTS T. [Favorable action of vitamin D in leukemic erythroderma and
Hodgkin's disease.] Pathol Gen. 1951 Mar;51(326): 161-4. Also: VACCARI R.
[Vitamin D2 and experimental carcinogenesis. ] Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper.
1952 Aug-Oct;28(8- 10):1567- 9.
(8) Sainz de Aja Ea. [Case of an epithelioma in a patient treated with
massive doses of vitamin D.] Actas Dermosifiliogr. 1951
Nov;43(2):169- 70.
(9) Linser P. [Spontaneous cure of skin carcinoma by vitamin D
treatment.] Dermatol Wochenschr. 1955;132(40) :1072-3. German.
(10) Gordan GS, Schachter D. Vitamin D activity of normal and neoplastic
human breast tissue. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1963 Jul;113:760- 1.
(11) Desmonts T, Blin J. [Action of Vitamin D3 on the course of a lymph
nodal reticulosarcoma. ] Rev Pathol Gen Physiol Clin. 1964 Mar;64:137.
French.
(12) Andrew W. Saul Interviews Michael F. Holick, MD, PhD.
https://www.doctoryo urself.com/ holick.html (https://www.doctoryourself.com/holick.html)
<https://www.doctoryo urself.com/ holick.html (https://www.doctoryourself.com/holick.html)>
(13) Koutkia P, Chen TC, Holick MF. Vitamin D intoxication associated
with an over-the-counter supplement. N Engl J Med. 2001 Jul
5;345(1):66- 7.
(14) Vitamin D Boosts Health, Cuts Cancer Risk in Half. Orthomolecular
Medicine News Service, October 3, 2007.
https://orthomolecul ar.org/resources /omns/v03n06. shtml (https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n06.shtml)
<https://orthomolecul ar.org/resources /omns/v03n06. shtml (https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n06.shtml)>
(15) Doctors Say, Raise the RDAs Now. Orthomolecular Medicine News
Service, October 30, 2007.
https://orthomolecul ar.org/resources /omns/v03n10. shtml (https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n10.shtml)
<https://orthomolecul ar.org/resources /omns/v03n10. shtml (https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v03n10.shtml)>
For more information:
Saul AW. Vitamin D: Deficiency, diversity and dosage. J Orthomolecular
Med, 2003. Vol 18, No 3 and 4, p 194-204.
https://www.doctoryo urself.com/ dvitamin. htm (https://www.doctoryourself.com/dvitamin.htm)
<https://www.doctoryo urself.com/ dvitamin. htm (https://www.doctoryourself.com/dvitamin.htm)>
Online access to free archive of nutritional medicine journal papers:
https://orthomolecul ar.org/library/ jom/ (https://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/)
<https://orthomolecul ar.org/library/ jom/ (https://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/)>
A free, non-commercial vitamin D newsletter is available from John
Cannell, M.D., and the Vitamin D Council:
https://www.vitamind council.org (https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/) <https://www.vitamind council.org/ (https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/)>
Sunlight, Nutrition And Health Research Center:
https://www.sunarc. org (https://www.sunarc.org/) <https://www.sunarc. org/ (https://www.sunarc.org/)>
Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine
Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to
fight illness. For more information:
https://www.orthomol ecular.org (https://www.orthomolecular.org/) <https://www.orthomol ecular.org/ (https://www.orthomolecular.org/)>
The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit
and non-commercial informational resource.
Editorial Review Board:
Damien Downing, M.D.
Harold D. Foster, Ph.D.
Steve Hickey, Ph.D.
Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.
James A. Jackson, PhD
Bo H. Jonsson, MD, Ph.D
Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D.
Erik Paterson, M.D.
Gert E. Shuitemaker, Ph.D.
Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D., Editor and contact person. Email:
omns@orthomolecular .org (https://us.mc531.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=omns%40orthomolecular.org)