Vitamin D and Colon Cancer

Authors of a new study concluded that, although it is generally assumed that certain cell interactions involving vitamin D may be cancer-promoting, recent studies have indicated that vitamin D may be involved in the restriction of breast and colorectal cancer cell growth. They suggested that vitamin D may have a protective role in colon cancer, as well as diabetes and Crohn's disease.

The study, conducted at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, explained that vitamin D may have an important preventative effect in the formation of cancer cells. The tests were carried out in mice and in cells under a microscope.

For now, researchers remain uncertain whether vitamin D has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of colon cancer and other related diseases.

References:

1. Beildeck ME, Islam M, Shah S, et al. Control of TCF-4 expression by VDR and vitamin D in the mouse mammary gland and colorectal cancer cell lines. PLoS One. 2009 Nov 17;4(11):e7872.
2. Colon Cancer Alliance. www.ccalliance.org. Copyright® 2009

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