Vitamin D increases the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment by 79%

The study involved 80 women over 45 years of age who were about to start treatment. They were divided into two groups: one received 2000 IU of vitamin D daily, the other received a placebo. After six months, the differences were noticeable. In the group taking the vitamin, 43% of patients had complete disappearance of cancer cells after chemotherapy. In the placebo group, this result was recorded only in 24%.

The authors note that even with a small sample, the difference in response to treatment was significant. However, the dose used (2000 IU per day) is significantly lower than what is usually prescribed to correct vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is best known for its role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for bone health. However, more and more studies indicate its participation in the functioning of the immune system, including protection against various diseases, including cancer. Previously, scientists more often studied the effects of higher doses.

The main source of vitamin D is sunlight, and it also comes from food. On average, adults are recommended 600 IU per day, elderly 800 IU, and infants 400 IU. However, an excess of the vitamin can be dangerous and cause side effects such as weakness, vomiting, bone pain and the formation of kidney stones. The majority of study participants initially had a vitamin D deficiency – below 20 ng/ml in the blood. The optimal level is considered to be 40-70 ng/ml. While the results look promising, the scientists stress that larger studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of vitamin D and better understand its impact on chemotherapy outcomes.