Vitamin D Prostate Cancer Dosage

Aids In Neurological Protection

Another epidemic health problem we face around the world today relates to the decline in cognitive function. This concern is evident in individuals with Parkinson disease, dementia and other neurological degenerative diseases.

One clinical study presented findings that people with low levels of the active form of vitamin D had reduced neuroprotection and loss of brain development. Adequate vitamin D levels are essential to optimal detoxification processes including support for promoting the antioxidant glutathione and also decreasing levels of nitric oxide in the brain and overall support for the survival of cells.

Another study released in 2010 showed that people who have vitamin D deficiency were at an increased risk by 42% to have cognitive impairment. Those individuals who were classified as severely deficient in vitamin D were at an increased risk of 394% and more likely to present with symptoms of impaired cognitive function. A study analyzing the cognitive performance of more than 3,100 men throughout eight European countries found evidence that men with low vitamin D levels showed impaired thought processing speed .

Cancer Chemoprevention With Vitamin D

Young and his group at Boston University School of Medicine then confirmed that tissue calcitriol concentrations are virtually uncontrolled. That is, the usual mechanisms that regulate blood calcitriol concentrations, calcium, and amounts of calcitriol were introduced. The authors also pointed out that soy would further increase tissue levels and concluded their finding should “encourage the further development of nutritionally-based models for prostate cancer chemoprevention using vitamin D.” Young MV, Schwartz GG, Wang L, Jamieson DP, Whitlatch LW, Flanagan JN, Lokeshwar BL, Holick MF, Chen TC. The prostate 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase is not influenced by parathyroid hormone and calcium: implications for prostate cancer chemoprevention by vitamin D. Carcinogenesis. 2004 Jun 25:96771.

Vitamin D For The Management Of Prostate Cancer

Although vitamin D can be obtained from many natural dietary sources, such as fish liver oil, eggs, and dairy products, for the majority of men, this dietary source fails to meet the daily required levels.1,2 Instead, their major source of vitamin D is derived from synthesis in the skin through conversion of a precursor into vitamin D3, a reaction catalyzed by ultraviolet light present in sunlight.2 Vitamin D3 subsequently undergoes hydroxylation in the liver followed by the kidney, resulting in the synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, or calcitriol, which is the principal active hormonal form of vitamin D.2

In addition to its well-known role in regulating calcium homeostasis in the body via its actions in the kidney, bone, intestine, and parathyroid glands,2 vitamin D also exhibits antitumorigenic properties, as demonstrated in in-vivo studies.3 This knowledge has led to epidemiologic studies investigating the association between vitamin D deficiency and prostate cancer. Accordingly, Schwartz and Hulka4 were the first to propose that low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of prostate cancer. These observations were based on prostate cancer mortality rates in the United States, which are inversely related to ultraviolet light exposure. This, in turn, has led to numerous studies investigating the antiproliferative properties of vitamin D on the prostate.57

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Sun Exposure Skin Type And Reduced Risk

In 2001, Luscombe and colleagues at the School of Medicine in North Straffordshire Hospital in England published three studies linking ultraviolet exposure and skin type to the development of prostate cancer. They found that cumulative outdoor exposure, outdoor occupations and skin type was associated with reduced risk of advanced stage tumors. They also found that childhood sunburns dramatically reduced the risk of developing prostate cancer, probably because those with fair skin are more likely to burn but also find it easier to make vitamin D in their skin. Furthermore, they found that people who have difficulty making the skin pigment

metastasis, can be made to respond to calcitriol by adding drugs which inhibit the breakdown of calcitriol. This raised the possibility that prostate cancers which did not respond to vitamin D could be made responsive by the addition of a metabolic inhibitor. Farhan and colleagues at the University of Vienna Medical School soon showed that the isoflavonoid found in soybeans, called , is a powerful metabolic inhibitor of the enzyme that breaks down calcitriol. Zhao XY, Feldman D. The role of vitamin D in prostate cancer. Steroids. 2001 MarMay 66:293300.Farhan H, Wahala K, Adlercreutz H, Cross HS. Isoflavonoids inhibit catabolism of vitamin D in prostate cancer cells. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2002 Sep 25 777:2618.

Sunlight And Vitamin D

In 1992, Hanchette and Schwartz again proposed that sunlight and vitamin D may play a role in prostate cancer. They pointed out that men in the United States were 10 times more likely to develop prostate cancer than men in Japan, where men consume higher amounts of vitamin D due to their consumption of fatty fish. Although the authors did not mention it, Japanese men also consume soy, which inhibits the breakdown of binding protein, thus raising active levels of those metabolites in the blood.

To support their hypothesis, Hanchette and Schwartz analyzed American prostate cancer deaths in relation to sunlight and discovered a 0.0001 negative correlationwhat is a very significant association. That is, they found that men who received more sunlight were less likely to die from prostate cancer. Hanchette CL, Schwartz GG. Geographic patterns of prostate cancer mortality. Evidence for a protective effect of ultraviolet radiation. Cancer. 1992 Dec 15 70:28619.

In the same year, Schwartz discovered that death rates from prostate cancer were correlated with death rates from multiple sclerosis, another disease know to be associated with lack of sunlight. Again, he proposed that lack of vitamin D may a causative factor in both diseases. Schwartz GG. Multiple sclerosis and prostate cancer: what do their similar geographies suggest? Neuroepidemiology. 1992 11:24454.

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Modified Citrus Pectin: Questions And Answers

In This Section

Side effects that have been reported include itching, stomach upset, abdominalcramps, increased gas, and diarrhea.

Is MCP approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use to prevent or treat cancer in the United States?

The FDA has not approved the use of MCP as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition.

MCP is available in the United States in food products and dietary supplements. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements as safe or effective. The company that makes the dietary supplements is responsible for making sure that they are safe and that the claims on the label are true and do not mislead the consumer. The way that supplements are made is not regulated by the FDA, so all batches and brands of MCP supplements may not be the same.

Essential For Brain Health

Researchers have shown that the central nervous system contains vitamin D receptors. These receptors are also found in the hippocampus region of the brain which is responsible for both emotion and memory . It is critical that vitamin D binds to these receptors in order to regulate enzymes located in the cerebrospinal fluid and the brain in order to support:

• Neurotransmitter production
• Synaptic density

Healthy vitamin D levels are required to protect nervous tissue against oxidative stress, modulates a normal immune response and is also involved in maintaining the homeostatic processes involving intracellular phosphorus and calcium concentration. It is especially critical to receive optimal vitamin D during neonatal development because its deficiency is linked to an increased risk for diseases of the central nervous system including multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia.

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Questions And Answers About Vitamin E

What is vitamin E? is a that may protect against diseases such as . Vitamin E is being studied in the of some types of . There are eight different forms of vitamin E: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols . Compared with other tocopherols, is found in greater amounts in the body and is the most active. Most vitamin E in the comes from gamma-tocopherol. Food sources of vitamin E include vegetable oils, nuts, and egg yolks. Many of the possible health benefits of Vitamin E may be from its activity. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects from damage caused by . Vitamin E also has other functions involved in cell signaling pathways and .

How is vitamin E administered or consumed?Vitamin E may be consumed in the diet or taken in dietary .

Have any clinical trials of vitamin E been conducted? and have been done to find out if vitamin E may be useful in preventing or treating .Population studiesPopulation studies look for and ways to control disease in large groups of people. Population studies of vitamin E in prostate cancer risk have shown the following:

The -AARP Diet and Healthy Study studied whether vitamin E in supplements and in the diet of volunteers may prevent prostate cancer. After 5 years, no link between vitamin E supplements and prostate cancer risk was found. However, a lower risk of prostate cancer was found in those who had high intakes of one form of vitamin E .

Clinical trials of preventing or treating prostate cancer

An Integrative Approach To Prostate Cancer

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Natures Way Saw Palmetto Berries 585 Mg 180 Vegan Capsules

Best Prostate health supplement for Vegans

Introducing Natureâs Way Saw Palmetto Berries 585 mg â 180 Vegan Capsules, a dietary supplement that may improve prostate health and boost immunity in men.

Made with only the finest saw palmetto berries, this supplement is perfect for men who are looking for a natural way to improve their prostate health.

Saw palmetto is known for its ability to ease prostate cell growth, increase urine flow, and reduce urinary frequency and nighttime urination.

It may also aid in relieving painful urination and difficulty in starting and stopping urine flow. With regular use, Natureâs Way Saw Palmetto Berries 585 mg â 180 Vegan Capsules may help improve overall prostate health and function.

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Symptomatic treatment of an enlarged prostate usually involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be the best option if you suffer from chronic urination. It will help the body adjust to the increased size of the prostate. Also, taking regular urination intervals will help retrain the bladder to function properly. Inactivity also contributes to urine retention, and cold temperatures can increase the urge to urinate.

Invasive treatment of enlarged prostate includes medication that relieves the pressure on the urethra and bladder. However, if the condition is severe, it may require surgical intervention. If treatment is not successful, the enlarged prostate can become a potentially life-threatening disease. As the hormone levels in the body change, the enlarged prostate can lead to various complications, including urinary retention and even cancer. This is why it is critical to see a doctor for further evaluation.

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Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider About Cam

When considering complementary and alternative therapies, patients should ask their health care provider the following questions:

• What side effects can be expected?
• What are the risks related to this therapy?
• What benefits can be expected from this therapy?
• Do the known benefits outweigh the risks?
• Will the therapy affect conventional treatment?
• Is this therapy part of a clinical trial?
• If so, who is the sponsor of the trial?
• Will the therapy be covered by health insurance?

First Human Interventional Trial

In late 2004, Woo, Vieth, and colleagues from the University of Toronto presented a groundbreaking paper at the November NIH conference on vitamin D and cancer. They showed that 2,000 units of simple vitamin D3 either reduced or prevented further increases in PSA in the majority of men with advancing prostate cancer. For the first time, a human interventional trial indicted that simple vitamin D was effective in fighting cancer.

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Vitamin D: Questions And Answers

In This Section

Maintains levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood.

Helps with bone growth and protects against osteoporosis in adults.

A persons vitamin D level is checked by measuring the amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the blood.

How is vitamin D given or taken?

Vitamin D is made by the body when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D may also be eaten in food or taken in dietary supplements.

Have any laboratory or animal studies been done using vitamin D?

For information on laboratory and animal studies done using vitamin D, see the Laboratory/Animal/Preclinical Studies section of the health professional version of Prostate Cancer, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplements.

Have any studies of vitamin D been done in people?

Population studies and clinical trials have been done to study the effects of vitamin D on prostate cancer. The results of these studies have been mixed. Some studies have shown a link between Vitamin D levels and prostate cancer, and others have not. There is not enough evidence to know whether vitamin D can prevent prostate cancer.

Combined studies

A 2008 review of 45 studies found no link between taking vitamin D and prostate cancer risk.

A 2009 study found that men with low levels of sun exposure had an increased risk of prostate cancer and advanced disease.

A 2011 review of 25 studies found no link between either vitamin D in the diet or blood levels of vitamin D and the risk of prostate cancer.

Population studies

Clinical trials

Vitamin D And Breast Cancer

Scientists have found that vitamin D pathways used to treat breast cancer cells results in a 100% decline in cancer cell activity following a quick 7 day incubation period. These in vitro studies suggest that D3 enables the ability of GcMAF to attack and eradicate human breast cancer cells.

Researchers believe that an interaction between amino acids allows GcMAF receptors to effectively bind and stimulate the invasion of macrophages around cancer cells. Such macrophages are then able to eat and eliminate breast cancer cells.

Other evidence for alternative cancer therapy using the Swiss Protocol supports that D3 and GcMAF may be a powerful duo that removes a breast cancer activator oncogene known as Her-2 .

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Vitamin D And Prostate Cancer: Results From Dr Hollis

Hollis and colleagues ran an intervention study at the Medical University of South Carolina on 52 men who had been diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer. They purposely did not conduct an RCT as they wished to give everyone in the study vitamin D. They used a dose of 4,000 IU/day of vitamin D for one full year while the participants were on a wait and see approach with their cancer.

The overall result was that almost 60% had a reduction in tumors as opposed to doing nothing . Of the 52 men, 15 went from a Gleason score of 6 to a Gleason score of 0 .

In considering differences by race, the chart below, shows that while African Americans started with a vitamin D level of about half the value of Caucasians, after a year of taking 4,000 IU/day both race groups reached roughly the same vitamin D level .

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Prostate Cancer Nutrition And Dietary Supplements Health Professional Version

On This Page

This cancer information summary provides an overview of the use of various foods and dietary supplements for reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer or for treating prostate cancer. This summary includes the history of research, reviews of laboratory and animal studies, and results of clinical trials on the following foods or dietary supplements:

• Other prostate health supplements.

Each type of dietary supplement or food will have a dedicated section in the summary, and new topics will be added over time. Note: A summary on PC-SPES is also available.

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer affecting men in the United States. On the basis of data from 2017 to 2019, it is estimated that 12.6% of U.S. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetimes.

Many studies suggest that complementary and alternative medicine use is common among prostate cancer patients, and the use of vitamins, supplements, and specific foods is frequently reported by these patients. For example, the Prostate CAncer Therapy Selection study was a prospective study that investigated mens decision-making processes about treatment following a diagnosis of local-stage prostate cancer. As part of this study, patients completed surveys regarding CAM use, and more than half of the respondents reported using one or more CAM therapies, with mind-body modalities and biologically based treatments being the most commonly used.

References

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Prostate Cancer Nutrition And Dietary Supplements Patient Version

On This Page

Complementary and alternative medicine is a form of treatment used in addition to or instead of standard treatments.

In the United States, about 1 out of every 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is the most second-most common cancer in men in the United States. CAM use among men with prostate cancer is common. Studies of why men with prostate cancer decide to use CAM show that their choice is based on medical history, beliefs about the safety and side effects of CAM compared to standard treatments, and a need to feel in control of their treatment.

CAM treatments used by men with prostate cancer include certain foods, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, and minerals.

Different types of research have been done to study the use of CAM in prostate cancer. These study types include the following:

CAM treatments have been studied to see if their use lowers the risk of prostate cancer, kills prostate cancer cells, or lowers the risk that cancer will come back after treatment. Most of these studies used prostate-specific antigen levels to find out whether the treatment worked. This is a weaker measure of how well the treatment works than direct measures, such as fewer new cases of prostate cancer, or smaller tumor size or lower rate of recurrence after treatment for prostate cancer.

This PDQ summary has sections about the use of specific foods and dietary supplements to prevent or treat prostate cancer: