According to 2010 information from the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. Despite this compelling statistic, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men over the age of 75 not be screened for prostate cancer. Furthermore, the agency notes that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether the benefits of screening in younger men outweigh the risks of treatment. With the uncertainties surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, many men are seeking nutritional ways to prevent it.
Vitamin D-3
Vitamin D-3, also known as cholecalciferol, is actually a prohormone that is produced in your skin when sunlight strikes precursor molecules derived from cholesterol. Following its production in your skin, cholecalciferol is converted to calcidiol, or 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3, in your liver. Your liver can store calcidiol, or it can be further metabolized in your kidneys to form calcitriol, or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3, which is the most biologically active form of vitamin D in your tissues. According to the Vitamin D Council, calcitriol is the most potent steroid hormone in your body, and it may possess potent anti-cancer properties.
Chronic Disease
Nearly every cell in your body possesses vitamin D receptors, or VDRs. Over the past decade, researchers have discovered that vitamin D -- by stimulating VDRs -- exerts a variety of effects that far surpass its effects on bone maintenance. A December 2009 report in "Nutrition Research Reviews" suggests that vitamin D plays a role in preventing or ameliorating a number of chronic illnesses, including inflammatory bowel diseases, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Like any other tissue, your prostate gland contains VDRs. A study published in the May 2011 issue of "Journal of Clinical Oncology" indicates that aggressive prostate tumors contain fewer VDRs than less aggressive cancers, which suggests a role for vitamin D in inhibiting the growth and spread of prostate cancer. An analysis of French epidemiologic data, reported in the April-December 2010 issue of "Dermatoendocrinology," demonstrated a direct correlation between sunlight exposure -- hence, vitamin D blood levels -- and a lower incidence of prostate cancer.
Considerations and Recommendations
Although the data linking higher vitamin D blood levels to a lower incidence of prostate cancer and to less aggressive tumors is promising, vitamin D has not been shown to prevent prostate cancer. Nor is there an established role for using vitamin D in the treatment of established prostate cancer. The recommended dietary intake for vitamin D varies according to age: up to age 50, the recommendation is 200 IU daily, for those ages 51 to 70 years, the recommendation is 400 IU. Adults over the age of 70 need 600 IU. Alternatively, you can spend 15 to 20 minutes in the sun with your skin uncovered. Ask your doctor if you should take additional vitamin D.
References
- American Cancer Society; What Are the Key Statistics about Prostate Cancer?; April 29, 2011
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; Screening for Prostate Cancer; Aug. 2008
- Vitamin D Council; Vitamin D Physiology; John Jacob Cannell MD; Jan. 1, 2006
- "Nutrition Research Reviews"; Vitamin D in Health and Disease: An Insight into Traditional Functions and New Roles for the 'Sunshine Vitamin'; D. Borradale, M. Kimlin; December 2009
- "Journal of Clinical Oncology"; Vitamin D Receptor Protein Expression in Tumor Tissue and Prostate Cancer Progression; W.K. Hendrickson, et al.; May 2011
- "Dermatoendocrinology"; An Ecological Study of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in France with Respect to Latitude, an Index for Vitamin D Production; W.B. Grant; Apr-Dec 2010
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