Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer Risk- New Study

Dr. Kasia Kines, Nutritionist, CEO and founder of EBV Educational Institute
Virtual clinic serving the US and globally
[email protected]

Vitamin D Level Can Predict Aggressive Prostate Cancer, according to a new study just published in February 2016 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. I know EVERY aging man has concerns about their prostate even though they never talk about it (just because they are expected to toughen it, correct?  Vitamin D and prostate cancer prevention is serious.  We have a very simple solution: just keep them supplementing Vitamin D – and I insist we train our loved ones to take it every day regardless where you live! I assume, perhaps wrongly, that women mostly will be reading this post.

Research is clear that Vitamin D helps prevent 17 types of cancer. Vitamin D deficiency and prostate cancer studies found correlation.  This particular study showed that low serum vitamin D blood levels in men predicted aggressive prostate cancer identified at the time of surgery. The researchers measured D levels within a few months before the tumor was visually identified as aggressive during surgery. They found out that those with aggressive cancer had an average [Vitamin D] level of 22.7 ng/ml. That is a clinically low D level. There is a correlation between vitamin D and prostate risk.  In my clinical practice I see that cancer patients are consistently Vitamin D-deficient. They concluded that “deficiency may predict aggressive prostate cancer as a biomarker and (…) deficiency should be corrected with supplements.”

Remember that Vitamin D is not just a biomarker for bone health. It is an important hormone. It is involved in keeping the gastrointestinal tract tight (“tight junctions” require Vitamin D, and without it, we can develop “leaky gut” as these junctions become loose as a result). It is also antimicrobial – it makes anti-microbial peptides. Once you know that, you will not be surprised to hear that, according to research, it can help prevent flu. If you are still not convinced, consider research linking exposure to Vitamin D in childhood to protection from diabetes type 1 and multiple sclerosis in adulthood and the fact that we now know that it regulates immune cell function. It prevents Seasonal Affected Disorder and the resulting depression and fatigue. The list goes on.

There is so much to Vitamin D that you really do yourself disservice if you ignore this supplement. We do not get enough from the sun in summer for our daily needs all year around. I recently had a conversation with my mom, thanking her for how she raised me: we were lucky to live on the Baltic sea and I was lucky to be born in May – as a result, my first months of life were in full sun, naked buttocks and all, and my first years were on the beach sun bathing and playing outside all day. As a result, I have no autoimmune markers and my immune system is strong. Thank you mom!

Now, if you live in Florida or Hawaii, you STILL need to check your Vitamin D PLEASE. I cannot stress that enough. Some people have a gene variation and do not have enough receptors for Vitamin D and may not get enough even if they live in the sun. For most of us, however, there is just not enough regular sun exposure to naked skin. If you have darker skin, like African Americans, your likelihood of deficiency is even higher.

What is the ideal level of Vitamin D if you have concerns with cancer?

Did you know that if your Vitamin D level drops below 20 ng/ml you have a 75% greater risk of colon cancer? To me, anywhere from 55 to 90 ng/ml is a very good level.

Just building your level above 50 ng/ml shows 50% reduction in cancer and decrease in risk of all solid cancers. 80-100ng/ml level was shown to slow cancer growth in patients with cancer.

What is the ideal level of daily supplementation?

Based on research and my clinical experience: definitely 5000IU D3/K2 a day. Children do well on 2000IU D3/K2. Some individuals may need 10,000IU D3/K2. 10,000IU is 20 minute exposure to sun in tropics, to give you a perspective. It is very unlikely to develop toxicity from over-supplementing if your total is within 10,000IU a day, but is the highest I would go. Make sure you consider any extra D you are getting from various supplements, as they all add up.

What Form of Vitamin D is the best?

Make sure you are using Vitamin D3 and not D2. Vitamin D3 is much more effective.

More importantly, make sure there is Vitamin K2 in the formulation, so you are looking for Vitamin D3/K2 supplement to prevent arterial calcification. It is a long story, for another blog!

What do you take?

Oh yes, trust me, I am taking a daily supplement as well and I have trained my husband a long time ago to do the same. We each have been taking a 5000IU D3/K2 a day – and that is because as humans we are designed to have some sun exposure every day. Here is our favorite brand: Nutrametrix D3/K2

Bottom line:

• For vitamin D and prostate cancer prevention, supplement daily with at least 5000IU D3 with K3 a day. Isotonic form is most bio-available (by Nutrametrix).
• Test and retest your level at least every time you get a physical. Get into a habit of retesting it every time you get blood work done.
• Learn your Vitamin D level – know it as you know your cholesterol. Know what it is in winter, in summer, with supplementation and without it.
• Make sure the men in your life supplement daily.
• You have just increased your protection from seasonal flu and cancer!
• There are very few medications that warrant caution with D supplementation: Hydralazine and Procainamide. D should be discussed with your doctor- your calcium blood level should be checked periodically as it can become elevated and high D3 supplementation.

Dr. Kasia Kines, Nutritionist, CEO and founder of EBV Educational Institute
Virtual clinic serving the US and globally
[email protected]