Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Women with breast cancer have low vitamin D levels

Women with breast cancer have low vitamin D levels

October 09, 2009

High-dose supplements needed to boost levels, decrease fracture risk

Women with breast cancer should be given high doses of vitamin D because a majority of them are likely to have low levels of vitamin D, which could contribute to decreased bone mass and greater risk of fractures, according to scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center.




In a study of 166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer, nearly 70 percent had low levels of vitamin D in their blood, according to a study being presented Thursday, Oct. 8, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Breast Cancer Symposium in San Francisco. The analysis showed women with late-stage disease and non-Caucasian women had even lower levels.

"Vitamin D is essential to maintaining bone health, and women with breast cancer have accelerated bone loss due to the nature of hormone therapy and chemotherapy. It's important for women and their doctors to work together to boost their vitamin D intake," said Luke Peppone, Ph.D., research assistant professor of Radiation Oncology, at Rochester's James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. He is a member of the National Cancer Institute's Community Clinical Oncology Program research base in Rochester.

Scientists funded by the NCI analyzed vitamin D levels in each woman, and the average level was 27 nanograms per milliliter; more than two-thirds of the women had vitamin deficiency. Weekly supplementation with high doses of vitamin D -- 50,000 international units or more -- improved the levels, according to Peppone's study.

The U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests that blood levels nearing 32 nanograms per milliliter are adequate.

This problem is not unexpected, Peppone said, because previous studies have shown that nearly half of all men and women are deficient in the nutrient, with vitamin D levels below 32 nanograms per milliliter. Vitamin D, obtained from milk, fortified cereals and exposure to sunlight, is well known to play an essential role in cell growth, in boosting the body's immune system and in strengthening bones.

University of Rochester Medical Center



Related Vitamin D Current Events and Vitamin D News Articles Vitamin D Current Events and Vitamin D News RSS Vitamin D Current Events and Vitamin D News RSS
Heart and bone damage from low vitamin D tied to declines in sex hormones
Researchers at Johns Hopkins are reporting what is believed to be the first conclusive evidence in men that the long-term ill effects of vitamin D deficiency are amplified by lower levels of the key sex hormone estrogen, but not testosterone.

New study links vitamin D deficiency to cardiovascular disease and death
While mothers have known that feeding their kids milk builds strong bones, a new study by researchers at the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City suggests that Vitamin D contributes to a strong and healthy heart as well - and that inadequate levels of the vitamin may significantly increase a person's risk of stroke, heart disease, and death, even among people who've never had heart disease.

Lactose intolerance rates may be significantly lower than previously believed
Prevalence of lactose intolerance may be far lower than previously estimated, according to a study in the latest issue of Nutrition Today.

Nation's hip fracture rate could drop 25 percent with aggressive osteoporosis prevention
Aggressively managing patients at risk for osteoporosis could reduce the hip fracture rate in the United States by 25 percent, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published in the November issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.

Neurologists Investigate Possible New Underlying Cause of MS
Neurologists at the University at Buffalo are beginning a research study that could overturn the prevailing wisdom on the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Latest analysis confirms suboptimal vitamin D levels in millions of US children
Millions of children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 11 may suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D, according to a large nationally representative study published in the November issue of Pediatrics, accompanied by an editorial.

New link found between osteoporosis and coeliac disease
People with coeliac disease may develop osteoporosis because their immune system attacks their bone tissue, a new study has shown.

Insufficient levels of vitamin D puts elderly at increased risk of dying from heart disease
A new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Denver and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) shows vitamin D plays a vital role in reducing the risk of death associated with older age.

University of Toronto study shows climate change will lead to less ultraviolet radiation over northern high latitudes
Physicists at the University of Toronto have discovered that changes in the Earth's ozone layer due to climate change will reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in northern high latitude regions such as Siberia, Scandinavia and northern Canada.

Milk drinking started around 7,500 years ago in central Europe
The ability to digest the milk sugar lactose first evolved in dairy farming communities in central Europe, not in more northern groups as was previously thought, finds a new study led by UCL (University College London) scientists published in the journal PLoS Computational Biology.
More Vitamin D Current Events and Vitamin D News Articles
Now foods, Vitamin D-3 5,000 IU - 120 - Gels

Now foods, Vitamin D-3 5,000 IU - 120 - Gels
by Now Foods

Highest Potency Structural Support Helps Maintain Strong Bones Supports Dental Health* NOW® Vitamin D softgels supply this key vitamin in a highly-absorbable liquid softgel form.  Vitamin D is normally obtained from the diet or produced by the skin from the ultra-violet energy of the sun.  However, it is not abundant in food.  As more people avoid sun exposure, Vitamin D supplementation becomes even more necessary to ensure that your body receives an adequate supply.     Nutrition Info    

Carlson Vitamin D3 2000 Iu, 360 Softgels,  Bottle

Carlson Vitamin D3 2000 Iu, 360 Softgels, Bottle
by Carlson

Vitamin D 2000 IU Vitamin D helps regulate and control the metabolism of Calcium and Phosphorus by aiding in the absorption of these two minerals from the small intestine, and by directly affecting the rate at which these minerals form and maintain bone. Supplement Facts Serving Size 1 Soft Gel   Amount Per 1 Soft Gel % DV Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 2000 IU 500%

Nature Made Vitamin D 1,000 IU -300 Tablets

Nature Made Vitamin D 1,000 IU -300 Tablets
by Nature Made

Vitamin D helps maintain joint comfort, and helps develop strong teeth and bones.*

Source Naturals Vitamin D3, 1000 IU, Tablets, 200 tablets (Pack of 3)

Source Naturals Vitamin D3, 1000 IU, Tablets, 200 tablets (Pack of 3)
by Source Naturals

Dietary supplement. Supports the immune system and strong bones. New research indicates that modern indoor lifestyles may lead to a widespread increase in vitamin D deficiency. Scientists are discovering that vitamin D is an important hormone precursor th

Carlson Vitamin D 1000 Iu, 100 Softgels,  Bottle

Carlson Vitamin D 1000 Iu, 100 Softgels, Bottle
by Carlson

Easy to swallow and digest Soft Gelatin Capsules.

Vitamin D helps to regulate and control the metabolism of Calcium and Phosphorus by aiding in the absorption of these two minerals from the small intestine, and by directly affecting the rate at which these minerals form and maintain bone.

Vitamin D-3 (1000IU) 180 sgels

Vitamin D-3 (1000IU) 180 sgels
by NOW

NOW new Vitamin D-1000 softgels supply recommended levels of this key vitamin in a highly-absorbable liquid softgel form. Vitamin D is normally obtained from the diet or produced by the skin from the ultraviolet energy of the sun. However, it is not abundant in food. As more people avoid sun exposure, Vitamin D supplementation becomes even more necessary to ensure your body receives an adequate supply.



* Picture may be of different size or flavor

The Vitamin D Revolution: How the Power of This Amazing Vitamin Can Change Your Life

The Vitamin D Revolution: How the Power of This Amazing Vitamin Can Change Your Life
by Dr. Soram Khalsa M.D. (Author)

Recent, groundbreaking medical research has made a connection between Vitamin D deficiency and 17 types of cancers, including breast, colon, and prostate. Illnesses such as influenza, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and coronary heart disease have also been connected to a lack of this vitamin. Until not too long ago, not getting enough Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) was only associated with rickets, the childhood bone disease.



Vitamin D-3 (2000IU) 120 sgels
by NOW

NOW Vitamin D softgels supply this key vitamin in a highly-absorbable liquid softgel form. Vitamin D is normally obtained from the diet or produced by the skin from the ultraviolet energy of the sun. However, it is not abundant in food. As more people avoid sun exposure, Vitamin D supplementation becomes even more necessary to ensure that your body receives an adequate supply.



* Picture may be of different size or flavor

VitaFusion Vitamin D - Peach, Blackberry & Strawberry-300 Gummies

VitaFusion Vitamin D - Peach, Blackberry & Strawberry-300 Gummies
by VitaFusion

Supplement Facts: Serving Size: 2 Gummy Vitamins Servings Per Container: 150 Amount Per Serving - % Daily Value:* Total Carbohydrate

Life Extension - Vitamin D3 (1000iu), 1000IU, 250 capsules

Life Extension - Vitamin D3 (1000iu), 1000IU, 250 capsules
by Life Extension

Vitamin D is necessary for utilization of calcium and phosphorus and in many ways acts as a hormone.78-80 The two most important forms of vitamin D are cholecalciferol (D3), which is derived from our own cholesterol and ergocalciferol (D2), a plant analogue derived from the diet. The cholecalciferol supplied by the Life Extension Buyers Club is synthetic, but its form is identical to that which is derived from cholesterol and synthesized by sunlight on the skin. Cholecalciferol Vitamin D is essential for bone growth and maintenance of bone density. A dietary deficiency of vitamin D inhibits the production of the protein that binds calcium in the intestines, so that calcium cannot be absorbed, even if there is adequate intake. Deficiencies of vitamin D are often found in the elderly and...

© 2009 BrightSurf.com