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Too Much Vitamin D Can Cause Cancer

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Having too much or too little vitamin D may increase the risk of prostate cancer in men, according to a study. Researchers conducted a study on men from Norway, Finland and Sweden using vitamin D serum banks of 200,000 samples to find out if high and low levels of vitamin D are associated with higher prostate cancer risk.

They studied 622 prostate cancer cases and 1,451 matched controls and found that both low and high vitamin D serum concentrations are linked with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Researchers found that both low and high vitamin D in the participants were associated with the higher risk of prostate cancer.

Researchers found that the normal levels (40-60) of vitamin D are linked with the lowest risk of prostate cancer. It is recommend that vitamin D be supplemented, however warn that too much vitamin D can increase a person’s risk of cancer.

International Journal of Cancer January, 2004;108(1):104-8

 

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It is no mystery that vitamin D is an oil-soluble vitamin and in large doses may be toxic. So it should come as no surprise that extremely high levels of vitamin D actually caused prostate cancer, just as very low levels can. Vitamin D can have a reverse effect and when one has very high levels it will actually cause osteoporosis, heart disease, autoimmune problems and cancers.

However, one needs to cautiously interpret these results. I have tested thousands of patients' vitamin D levels, and I have only seen one patient have the high levels. It is important to understand that it is not easy to get high levels of vitamin D without taking very large doses for long periods of time.

By far, the vast majority of people reading this right now have far too little vitamin D in their blood. Over 85 percent of people have levels below 32, which is considered deficient. In my practice we don't like to see patient levels go much above 50, but 55 is probably a perfect level and anything above 60 is likely to be toxic. This study found cancer started to occur at 80. So, be smart and get your vitamin D level tested.

We routinely put people on 10,000 units a day or more of vitamin D safely as long as we monitor them. It is important to understand that most of us get 10,000 units on a sunny summer day if we have significant exposure. Although the RDA of vitamin D is currently 400 units, it will likely change to 4,000 units in the near future.

Related Articles:

Why You Need to Have Your Vitamin D Level Tested Now

Breakthrough Updates You Need to Know on Vitamin D

RDAs of Vitamin D Far Too Low

Odds are You Need Additional Vitamin D, and Cod Liver Oil is Not Sufficient

How Much Vitamin D is Too Much? Take This Vitamin D Quiz to Find Out!

Up to 70 Percent of Americans May be Deficient in Vitamin D--Find Out Why You Don’t Want to be One of Them


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Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

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