Previous studies had suggested that vitamin D can reduce the risk of developing cancer. Its active component, calcitriol, is said to prevent cells from proliferating. A new randomized trial conducted from 2009 to 2015 tested this hypothesis in healthy older women. The results of this trial were published in Jama.
Researchers from the universities of Creighton and Omaha (United States) tested the effects of a diet rich in vitamin D and supplementation on 2300 healthy postmenopausal women. Participants in the treatment group received 2,000 international units of vitamin D-3 per day and 1,500 milligrams of calcium daily. Those in the placebo group received the placebo equivalent of this dose.
No difference especially for breast cancer
Throughout the 4 years of follow-up, scientists looked at the incidence of all types of cancer except melanoma. Of the participants, 109 were diagnosed with cancer during the study: 3.89% in the treatment group, and 5.58% in the placebo group. In addition, the team did not find any “statistically significant difference” between the two groups in terms of the incidence of breast cancer.
The authors therefore conclude that “More research is needed to assess the possible role of vitamin D in cancer prevention”.
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