Dr. Gary’s Nutritional Library

“Low levels of vitamin D are the norm rather than the exception in South East Asia.” Estimates of vitamin D deficiency among Pakistani people are from 70 to 97%. In the United States, 50-74% of newly diagnosed premenopausal breast cancer patients are vitamin D deficient.

When vitamin D levels are low, angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) and cell proliferation increase and apoptosis (natural cell death) decreases. This increases the risk of cancer. The best way to test for vitamin D levels is a blood test for 25-dihydroxy vitamin D. Women with levels greater than 50 ng/ml have a 50% lower risk of breast cancer than those with levels below 30. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with poorer prognosis in breast cancer, and vitamin D deficiency can cause secondary hyperparathyroidism with reduced bone mineral density (BMD).

The present study was done in Pakistan. Blood levels below 20 ng/ml were considered to be vitamin D deficient. Levels from 20 to 39 were suboptimal. Levels above 40 were considered optimal. Ninety breast cancer patients were studied, each with a matched control. Nearly half were premenopausal; the rest were post-menopausal. Those with breast cancer had a higher chance of having a body mass index (BMI) above 30 than did the control group.

For the entire group, the average vitamin D level was low at 9.3 ng/ml. For the control group without cancer the average level was 14.9. Over 95% of the cancer patients had vitamin D deficiency, while only 77% of the controls were deficient. None of the cancer patients had an optimal vitamin D level.

Menopausal cancer patients had higher vitamin D levels than premenopausal cancer patients (13.5% compared to 10.5%). Post-menopausal cancer patients had low bone mineral density (BMD) on testing compared to pre-menopausal patients.

CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation and sun exposure are two risk factors for breast cancer that can be changed.

To read the author’s abstract of the article, click on the title of the article. Then, to read the full article, click on the full text icon.

PMID: 22629509.

Summary #776.

Disclaimer

You are entering the portion of the website of Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, Inc., that is here “to strive to offer education”, as stated in our Mission Statement. Here we are reporting on scientific studies that are about the value of nutritional supplements and whole foods for our health. We will attempt to report on the latest studies regarding the supplements and foods sold at Rainbow Grocery. The summaries of the articles are our own. These summaries are not intended to promote any particular product or food that Rainbow sells, but only to provide information about them.

You are your own best doctor. Study as much as you can. Consult with your doctor. Find one open to alternatives if your doctor isn’t. Make your own decisions and take responsibility for your own health. We hope this information will help you make your decisions.

We can’t and don’t intend to prescribe for you. We can’t and don’t intend to provide medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Don’t disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Nothing in this website is intended to create a health practitioner-patient relationship. Reliance on the information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. In using this web site you agree that neither Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, Inc. nor any other party is or will be liable or otherwise responsible for any decision made or any action taken or any action not taken due to your use of any information presented at this web site.

Descargo de responsabilidad

Advertencia sobre el uso de los resúmenes de estudios médicos publicados en este portal:

Usted está entrando a la parte del portal de Internet de la Cooperativa de Rainbow Grocery, Inc. cuyo fin es “procurar ofrecer elementos educativos” tal como lo establece nuestra Declaración de Principios. Lo que aquí se reporta son estudios científicos sobre el valor nutricional de suplementos y alimentos completos para la salud. Trataremos de incluir los estudios más recientes sobre suplementos y productos alimenticios que se expenden en Rainbow Grocery. Los resúmenes de los artículos han sido elaborados por nosotros. Pero su inclusión no tiene como fin promover productos específicos que se venden en Rainbow, sino sólo proporcionar información sobre los mismos.

Usted es su mejor doctor. Estudie e infórmese tanto como le sea posible. Consulte a su médico. Busque uno de mente abierta a alternativas si el actual no lo es. Tome sus propias decisiones y hágase responsable de su salud. Esperamos que la información aquí presentada le ayude a tomar las mejores decisiones.

No podemos ni es nuestra intención ofrecer recetas o proporcionar asesoría médica. Usted siempre debe consultar con su médico u otro proveedor profesional de servicios de salud cuando tenga preguntas relacionadas con su salud. No ignore los consejos profesionales de su médico, ni deje de buscarlos en base a lo que haya leído en nuestro portal.

Nada en este portal tiene la finalidad de crear una relación paciente-profesional de la salud. El uso de la información aquí presentada es bajo su cuenta y riesgo. Al usar este portal, usted acepta que ni la Cooperativa de Rainbow Grocery, Inc. ni tercera partes son responsables de forma alguna por cualqui.