In VITAL, vitamin D did not reduce the primary cancer or cardiovascular endpoints.
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Vitamin D reduced total cancer mortality in analyses excluding early follow up.
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Meta-analyses of trials show a reduction in cancer mortality but not incidence.
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More research is needed to identify those most likely to benefit from vitamin D.
Abstract
Whether supplemental vitamin D reduces risk of cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD) is relatively unexplored in randomized trial settings. The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) was a nationwide, randomized, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial of daily vitamin D3 (2000 IU) and marine omega-3 fatty acids (1 g) in the primary prevention of cancer and CVD among 25,871 U.S. men aged ≥50 and women aged ≥55, including 5106 African Americans. Median treatment duration was 5.3 years. Vitamin D did not significantly reduce the primary endpoint of total invasive cancer incidence (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.96 [95% confidence interval 0.88–1.06]) but showed a promising signal for reduction in total cancer mortality (HR = 0.83 [0.67–1.02]), especially in analyses that accounted for latency by excluding the first year (HR = 0.79 [0.63–0.99]) or first 2 years (HR = 0.75 [0.59–0.96]) of follow-up. Vitamin D did not significantly reduce the co-primary endpoint of major CVD events (HR = 0.97 [0.85–1.12]), other cardiovascular endpoints, or all-cause mortality (HR = 0.99 [0.87–1.12]). Updated meta-analyses that include VITAL and other recent vitamin D trials indicate a significant reduction in cancer mortality but not in cancer incidence or CVD endpoints. Additional research is needed to determine which individuals may be most likely to derive a net benefit from vitamin D supplementation. (VITAL clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01169259)
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Graham49
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Bottomline: Vitamin D does not stop prostate cancer from happening . But, once someone already has prostate cancer, taking Vit D3 2000 I U. plus 1 gram marine omega 3 fatty acids can prolong survival. Got it.
My oncologist told me to take vitamin D because I have a bone met (cervical spine). Isn't that pretty much standard practice for those of us with bone mets?
There was some controversy created about Vit D but most MOs and studies suggest that people with bone mets must keep their Vit D level mid range or upper range of normal value.
Also, dietary source of Calcium is considered better than Calcium tablets.
Normal value for Vit D is from 20 to 40 ng/ml . Ideally we should stay close to mid 30s to high 30s.
Vit D3 increases the frequency of my atrial fibrillation occurences. I was taking 2000 iu per day. I've had to stop taking it. I am on meds for a-fib and take heart healthy supplements CoQ10, L-arginine, L-taurine, and magnesium.
So happens that I also have A-Fib. How are you able to know that Vit D increases frequencies? I also take arginine and L taurine. I was taking Vit D until a few months ago when Dr. Dorff told me to stop taking them
I had been taking vit D3 for several years. My a-fib episodes have been increasing in frequency to more than twice a month. Since I stopped taking D3 I haven't had an episode in more than a month.
Why did your doctor tell you to stop taking vit D?
She told me but I can't remember why. Memory issues compliments of the medicines that I am taking for my many problems from PCa to A-Fib to a leaky heart valve to Macular Degeneration. Also I trust Dr. Dorff from the City of Hope. As to A-Fib, the only time I am aware of it is when I am at the gym and working out on a treadmill or a recumbent machine. Also every time I am at the doctors office and they check the vitals.
I have been taking vit D for 10 years because my family doc recommended it. It definitely did not stop the PC, I was diagnosed last spring and had a RP last summer. I have 4 bone Mets, if it slows down the progression, I’m good with that.
I have been taking vit D for 10 years because my family doc recommended it. It definitely did not stop the PC, I was diagnosed last spring and had a RP last summer. I have 4 bone Mets, if I t slows down the progression, I’m good with that.
I'm told by an integrative physician that Vitamin D levels should be in the 80 - 100 range for anyone with cancer.
This study is helpful yet a bit deceiving. Vitamin D only tackles 3 of 7 factors associated with cancer growth / metastasis. It is meant to be *one* solution of many, not a cure-all. It specifically helps with a) abnormal cell to cell communication, b) angiogenesis, and c) immune system evasion. That is all. And that's quite a bit.
1. Genetic Instability & DNA damage
2. Altered genetic expression
3. Abnormal cell signal transduction
4. Abnormal cell to cell communication -- Vitamin D*
5. Angiogenesis -- Vitamin D*
6. Invasion and metastasis of the cancer
7. Immune system evasion -- Vitamin A and Vitamin D*
To not take Vitamin D is a big mistake in my personal opinion. Most are seriously deficient. Vitamin A and C are also critical for cancer patients. Vitamin C can be taken intravenously in high doses at places like medical spas for example. Vitamin A = carrot juice.
I have permanent AF. That is my heart NEVER beats in rhythm. I have taken about 1000 IU D3 for years. My cardiologist says only take blood thinner to prevent blood clotting. The AF doesn't seriously affect me, although from time to time I wake up feeling flat (low oxygen saturation in the blood). I do have sleep apnea that has an AF component to it. Most of my SA is central SA and only about 20% obstructive SA. I'm 10 -15lbs overweight - too much red wine!
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