Effects of Vitamin D3 on Cancer Cells

December 2012

Effects of Vitamin D3 on Cancer Cells Cancer cells are cells that grow and divide at an unregulated, quickened pace.

Although cancer cells can be quite common in a person, they are only malignant when the other immune cells fail to recognize and destroy them. In the past a common belief was that cancer cells failed to be recognized and destroyed because of a weakness in the immune system. However, more recent research has shown that the failure to recognize cancer cells is caused by the lack of particular co-stimulated molecules that aid in the way antigens react with lymphocytes.

Types of Cancers Cancer types can be grouped into broader categories. The main categories of cancer include: • Carcinoma - cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

• Sarcoma - cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.

• Leukemia - cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood.

• Lymphoma and myeloma - cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.

• Central nervous system cancers - cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

• Colon, prostate, breast, uterine and pancreatic are all associated with low vitamin D3 levels in the diet.

Functions of Vitamin D3 Research has shown that the active form of vitamin D3 seems to have anti-cancer effects. Vitamin D3 is a fat soluble vitamin required for the regulation of the minerals, calcium and phosphorus found in the body. It also plays an important role in maintaining proper bone structure. Vitamin D3 prevents rickets in children and osteomalacea in adults,

and, together with calcium, helps to protect older adults from osteoporosis (Holick, 2004). Vitamin D3 also affects neuromuscular function, inflammation, and influences the action of many genes that regulate the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cells.

Lack of Vitamin D3 in the diet can cause several health problems. Without vitamin D3 the small intestine only absorbs about 10% to 15% of dietary calcium and phosphorus, instead of the normal 30% in someone without a deficiency. However, the way it works is not always understood. Current research has shown evidence that vitamin D3 is able to reduce the chances of development of numerous types of cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer. Vitamin D3 studies have shown to reduce the incidence of autoimmune diseases such as type1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis (MuĂąoz, 2009).

Vitamin D and Cancer Effects of Vitamin D3 on cancers in human vitamin D3 are unique because it functions as a pro-hormone and vitamin and, when sun exposure is adequate, the body can synthesize it (as vitamin D3). Lappe, (2007) studied Vitamin D3 and the effects it has on reducing cancer. Research participants were all 55 years and older, post-menopausal and free of known cancers for at least 10 years prior to entering the Creighton study.

Subjects were randomly assigned to take daily dosages of 1,400-1,500 mg supplemental calcium only, 1,400-1,500 mg supplemental calcium plus 1,100 IU of vitamin D3, or placebos. National Institutes of Health funded the study. Over the course of four years, women in the calcium supplemental group experienced a slight decrease in their cancer risk, however women in the calcium plus vitamin D3 group experienced a 60 percent decrease in their cancer risk than the group taking placebos.

Sources of Vitamin D3 Vitamin D is not widely available in foods. Oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are good sources, as well as cod liver oil. Some foods in the U.S. may be fortified with vitamin D3 including milk, orange juice, cereals, and breads. Eating oily fish three or four times a week will provide enough vitamin D3 for most people.

Otherwise, the body must rely on exposure to sunlight. The skin can produce large amounts of vitamin D3, although this ability decreases with age. Sun exposure is an easy, reliable way for most people to get vitamin D3. Exposure of the hands, face, arms, and legs to sunlight two to three times a week for about one-fourth of the time it would take to develop mild sunburn will cause the skin to produce enough vitamin D3. The necessary exposure time varies with age, skin type, season and time of day.

Summary and Conclusion Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues (Alvarez-Diaz et al., 2009). Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Vitamin D3, a fat soluble vitamin, can reduce the risk of cancers, rickets, and osteomalacea. Exposure to sunlight plays a major role in vitamin D3 synthesis in the skin except in cats and dogs. Vitamin D3 is also available as a supplement and is found in oily fish and many dairy products.

Researchers are actively working on ways to slow down and possibly eliminate the growth of cancer cells in the body. Lappe’s, (2007) study provides evidence that increasing the amount of vitamin D3 has a positive effect on the growth of cancer cells in

the body. More research is needed to study the effects of increased volumes of vitamin D3 in the body.

References Holick, M.F., & Am, J. (2004), Vitamin D: Importance in the prevention of cancers, type I diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. American Journal for Clinical Nutrition, 79, 362-371.

Lappe, J.M., Travers-Gustafson, D., Davies, K.M., Recker, R.R, & Heaney, R.P. (2007) Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. American Society for Clinical Nutrition, 85(6), 1586-1591.

Alvarez-Diaz, S., Valle, N., Garcia, J.M., Pena, C., Freije, J.M.P, Quesada, V, Astudillo, A., Bonilla, F., Lopez-Otin, C. & Munoz, A. (2009) Cystatin D is a candidate tumor suppressor gene induced by vitamin D in human colon cancer cells.

Journal of Clinical Investigation, 119 (8), 2343-2358.

For more information contact AUTHOR Milton Daley, PhD Assistant Professor and Program Specialist mdaley@pvamu.edu Phone: 936.261.5134 Fax: 936.261.5143 CONTRIBUTOR Danielle Hairston-Green Program Specialist dyhairstongreen@pvamu.edu Phone: 936.261.5118 Fax: 936.261.5143 http://pvcep.pvamu.edu

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