A form of vitamin D can greatly enhance radiation treatment for tumors associated with breast cancer, according to a study. Combining a vitamin D analog with radiation could potentially be beneficial to wipe out radiation-resistant cancer cells.
Radiation therapy is commonly used after a malignant tumor is surgically removed. However, there are often radiation-resistant cells that may cause a recurrence of cancer. The vitamin D analog EB 1089, when combined with radiation, is capable of destroying such cells.
In the study, tumor growth in mice that had been treated with radiation alone was compared to tumor growth in mice that had been exposed to radiation and EB 1089, a derivative of vitamin D. Mice irradiated with EB 1089 had about 50 percent lower final tumor volume than mice that received radiation alone.
Based on the favorable results, researchers are eager to begin clinical trials with breast cancer treatments in humans.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women between the ages of 20 and 59, with about 40,000 deaths each year. About 200,000 women are diagnosed with the disease each year.
Increasing evidence shows that vitamin D, which is naturally produced by the body after exposure to sunlight, helps to prevent and treat several forms of cancer. However, excess vitamin D can result in excessive calcium that can affect bone metabolism and structure. The vitamin D analog EB 1089 has a modified chemical structure, which has significantly fewer calcium-related side effects.
Researchers say that additional trials are needed to confirm results, but are optimistic that the findings could provide benefits with radiation-resistant brain tumors and prostate cancer, along with breast cancer. In Europe, the analog EB 1089 is undergoing clinical patient trials for the treatment of cancer, without radiation therapy.
Cancer Chemother Pharmacology May 2003;51(5):415-21
No surprise here. The drug companies are more than ready to get on board to combine expensive chemical derivatives of natural substances that we know are effective in the treatment of cancer.
With Vitamin D the evidence is very clear-cut--it works quite dramatically for many cancers and the sad fact is that most of us have levels that are far too low.
If you or someone you know has cancer it is very important that you read the guidelines on vitamin D testing so you can optimize your vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D has been associated with lowering many more cancers than just breast, such as:
Vitamin D is one important nutrient and the best way to grab it is by exposing your skin to sunshine, something most of can and should do in the summer.
If you haven't read the first two vitamin D articles below, please do. They are some of the most valuable on the site.
At this time I have tested several hundred people for vitamin D levels and I can tell you that in the Midwest most people are deficient.
An excellent source of vitamin D that will also provide beneficial omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are pivotal in preventing heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases, is cod liver oil.
When choosing your cod liver oil, it is important to remember that not all brands are the same. In my research--and in my clinical experience with my patients--I have found that 1) the liquid form is superior to capsules; 2) that certain brands definitely seem inferior to others; 3) that the Carlson's brand of cod liver oil is of an exceptional quality and purity. It is likely not the only brand in the world of such high quality, but up to this point it is the only one of such quality that I can recommend, so I now carry the Carlson's fish oil and cod liver oil on Mercola.com; you can also check your local health food store to see if they carry it.
However, you must be cautious when using cod liver oil, as it is possible to overdose on vitamin D. For this reason, cod liver oil should be consumed only in cool weather months unless you have your vitamin D level tested and find that it is low. In warm weather, most people get enough vitamin D, as sunshine is one of the primary methods of obtaining this vitamin; if you consume too much vitamin D in these warm weather months, you do risk overdosing.