Supplementing with Vitamin D Decreases Skin Cancer Risk

Paula Gallagher on
Supplementing with vitamin D may help decrease risk of skin cancer.

Melanoma is one of the few cancers that have been on the rise in the United States and it is the fifth most diagnosed cancer in both men and women. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. Melanoma may appear on the skin suddenly without warning but also can develop within an existing mole. It is mostly caused by exposure to UV rays either by sun or tanning beds.

Melanoma is highly treatable when detected early, but advanced melanoma can spread to the lymph nodes and internal organs, which can result in death. However, a new study has found one way to potentially lower the risk of getting the life-threatening disease.

New research conducted by dermatologists at the University of Eastern Finland in collaboration with Kuopio University Hospital in Finland found that people who regularly take vitamin D supplementation are at a lower risk for melanoma, as opposed to those who do not take the supplement.

Most people get their vitamin D from the sun because it is naturally manufactured through the skin by the sun. However, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention advises that adults and children should avoid intentional exposure to the harmful UV radiation of sun rays, which are known to cause skin cancers, and instead use diet and supplementation to get their levels of vitamin D up.

Patients in the study were split into three categories based on their consumption of oral vitamin D supplements: non-users, occasional users, and regular users. What the researchers found was that those who fell into the regular consumption category had considerably less cases of melanoma, compared to those who did not take vitamin D.

They also found that the severity of skin cancer was considerably better for those supplementing with vitamin D, compared to non-users, and that the risk for melanoma among regular users was decreased by more than half compared to non-users of the supplement.

It is unknown what the optimal dosage of oral vitamin D is for the best benefits.

Vitamin D deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in the US. The current recommendation for vitamin D intake is set at 400–800 IU/day or 10–20 micrograms. However, some studies suggest that a higher daily intake of 1,000–4,000 IU (25–100 micrograms) is needed to maintain optimal blood levels.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus, which are critical to strong, healthy bones. It is also known for other health benefits, such as reducing cancer cell growth, controlling infections, and reducing inflammation.

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