An editorial published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology “speculates about how oncologists should disseminate” information in clinical practice about vitamin D in light of recent research and “laboratory, ecologic, and epidemiologic studies” indicating that “higher levels of vitamin D might lower the risk for colon, breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers.” In the editorial, Pamela J. Goodwin, MD, of Mount Sinai Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, in Toronto, Canada, explained that “the ‘unpredictable relationship between vitamin D intake and blood levels’ makes it difficult to recommend a standard dose for supplementation.” But, “depending on age, current recommendations for vitamin D range from 200 to 600 IU per day. Given that there is sufficient evidence that vitamin D supplementation at these doses is associated with reduced mortality and improved bone health, clinicians should feel comfortable using them as a starting point,” she said.
Diet/Nutrition
A new study from the University of Souther California published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that men who take a daily folic acid supplement have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, renewing skepticism about the value of supplements in the fight against cancer. The study followed 643 men for slightly more than a decade who were taking either a placebo or 1mg of folic acid a day, which is more than twice the amount in the typcial multivitamin. Participants taking the suppliment had 2.6 times the risk of developing prostate cancer than those given a placebo.
Diet/Nutrition, Prostate Cancer
Greater Dietary fat intake is associated with a significantly increased risk of renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) according to researchers of the University of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. (British Journal of Nutrition, 2008)
Diet/Nutrition
The Journal of the American Medical Association reported this week the results of the Physicians’ Health Study II, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on vitamins E and C involving 14,641 male physicians in the US aged 50 years or older.
Conclusion - Neither vitamin E nor C supplementation reduced the risk of prostate or total cancer. These data provide no support for the use of these supplements for the prevention of cancer in middle-aged and older men. JAMA, 2009; 301(1):52-62
Cancer, Diet/Nutrition, Prostate Cancer
The Journal of the American Medical Association reported this week the results of the SELECT study. SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) was a randomized, placebo-controlled study of 35,533 men investigating the potential cancer preventing effects of these agents on prostate cancer.
Conclusion - Selenium or Vitamin E, alone or in comination at the doses and formulations used, did not prevent prostate cancer in this population of relatively healthy men. JAMA, 2009; 301(1): 39-51
Diet/Nutrition, Prostate Cancer