Postmenopausal women who take calcium and vitamin D supplements may reduce their risk of cancer, according to a report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study was a randomized controlled trial. This is in contrast to many earlier studies that show that vitamin D is protective against cancer, but were only observational trials.The researchers found that women who took both calcium (1400-1500 mg/day) and vitamin D (1100 IU vitamin D3/day) had a lower incidence of cancer than those who took the placebo. There were 13 cases among the 446 women who took the supplements versus 20 cases among 288 women who took the placebo during the four year period.
1. In order for your body to benefit from the calcium it needs to obtain a vitamin d status of 80nmol/L. "Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D-Related Disorders" Session 2: Vitamin D Physiology
Robert P. Heaney, M.D. Slide 18
Each 400iu of vitamin d raises status by 7-12nmol/L/
The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective1
It follows that raising status generally by 1100iu=25nmol/L approx brings the average citizen from 55nmol/L to 80-nmol/L.
While that is indeed laudable I consider we could do better.
The vitamin D status associated with the lowest cancer incidence is 130nmol/L.
To get to 130nmol/L from 80nmol/L requires a further 2000iu.
This is a perfectly safe amount to suggest See Risk Assessment Vitamin D. John N Hathcock, Andrew Shao, Reinhold Vieth and Robert Heaney Where 10,000iu is considered a safe upper limit.
Posted at 4:32PM on Aug 19th 2007 by Edward Hutchinson