The results of the study entitled Vitamin D regulates microbiome-dependent cancer immunity were published in the journal Science on April 26, 2024: Low levels of vitamin D in the human body are associated with tumor development, and vitamin D may be a potential key factor in tumor prevention and treatment.

1.What are the functions of vitamin D?

A study in the British Medical Journal showed that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of autoimmune diseases by 22 percent. In other words, ensuring adequate vitamin D intake is conducive to immune regulation.

In addition, studies have found that plasma vitamin D levels are inversely associated with cancer risk and can reduce cancer risk; Vitamin D can also regulate blood pressure and improve heart function; Improve sleep, reduce the risk of diabetes, etc.

Strong bones: Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for maintaining healthy bones. It promotes the absorption of calcium and the mineralization process of bones, increasing bone density and making bones stronger. This is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases such as rickets and osteoporosis.

Immune regulation: Vitamin D is essential for the proper function of the immune system. It can regulate the activity and number of immune cells, enhance the body's resistance to viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, and prevent the occurrence of diseases.

Cancer prevention and treatment: Vitamin D is inversely associated with the risk of developing many types of tumors. Individuals with higher plasma levels of vitamin D have a relatively lower risk of developing cancers such as breast, colorectal, liver, bladder and lung cancer. Vitamin D exerts anti-tumor effects through a variety of mechanisms, including inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, regulating immune function, and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, vitamin D may be a key factor in tumor prevention and treatment.

Regulating blood pressure and improving heart function: Vitamin D also plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and improving heart function. It can affect the proliferation and differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby regulating vascular tone and lowering blood pressure. In addition, vitamin D improves the contractile function of the heart muscle and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Improve sleep and reduce the risk of diabetes: Vitamin D can promote insulin secretion and the body's use of insulin, helping to maintain blood sugar stability and reduce the risk of diabetes. At the same time, it can also regulate the brain nerve, promote sleep, improve sleep quality.

2.Which cancer patients should take vitamin D supplements?

The problem of vitamin D deficiency is widespread in the Chinese population, and for cancer patients, this problem is more prominent.

For patients who are being treated with hormone drugs or aromatase inhibitors: Vitamin D absorption in these patients may be affected. Patients are more prone to vitamin D deficiency, which further weakens immune function and exacerbates problems such as metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis. Therefore, these patients should pay more attention to vitamin D supplementation.

Patients with pancreatic cancer, liver and bile duct related cancers: Vitamin D absorption in these patients may be affected. Patients after thyroid surgery also need to pay attention to vitamin D supplementation. Since hypoparathyroidism may occur after surgery, resulting in disturbance of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, it is critical to monitor calcium and vitamin D levels after surgery.

Advanced cancer patients: Also need to pay attention to vitamin D supplements. Because advanced cancer patients often suffer from malnutrition and multiple metabolic disorders, vitamin D supplementation is critical.