Vitamin D Protects Cells from Stress that can Lead to Cancer

by Dan Piro,
Publisher, HardBall

July 2008

May 13, 2008--Vitamin D protects healthy prostate cells from the damage and injuries that can lead to cancer, University of Rochester Medical Center researchers report.

"This is great news in the battle against prostate cancer," said MSBL president Steve Sigler. "Our national organization has been promoting awareness of this disease and early detection." The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the official charity of the MSBL national organization.

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation website, prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting one in six men. The older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although only one in 10,000 under age 40 will be diagnosed, but for ages 40 to 59 the rate is one in 38, and one in 15 for ages 60 to 69.

"Many epidemiological studies have suggested the beneficial properties of vitamin D," said Yi-Fen Lee, associate professor of urology at the Medical Center who led the research. "Our findings reflect what we see in those studies and demonstrate that vitamin D not only can be used as a therapy for prostate cancer, it can prevent prostate cancer from happening."

Vitamin D does this by inducing a specific gene to increase expression of a key enzyme. Lee and her research team discovered one mechanism involving vitamin D that protects cells from oxidative stress. The vitamin D used in the study is 1,25-hydroxylvitamin D3, the most potent and active form of vitamin D in the human body. Nonmalignant human prostate epithelial cells also were used.

Normal metabolism in cells generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), molecules of peroxide, for example, or so-called free radicals. These substances can play a role in cell signaling and even kill bacteria. Exposure to some chemicals or forms of radiation can produce high levels of ROS that can damage DNA and play a significant role in speeding aging or causing cancer.

Lee found that vitamin D links with a gene known as G6PD, increasing its activity and the production of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Increased activity of the enzyme clears cells of ROS, the molecules that can damage and injure cells. The G6PD pathway is one of the mechanisms vitamin D uses, Lee said. The researchers did not find any similar activity in prostate cancer cells.

"If you reduce DNA damage, you reduce the risk of cancer or aging," Lee said. "Our study adds one more beneficial effect of taking a vitamin D supplement. Taking a supplement is especially important for senior citizens and others who might have less circulation of vitamin D, and for people who live and work areas where there is less sunshine."

"Vitamin D does not protect cancer cells from injury or damage, which is good," Lee said.

The current research was supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The International Journal of Cancer published the findings in its June 15 issue. In addition to Lee, authors of the International Journal of Cancer article include Bo-Ying Bao of China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, and Huei-Ju Ting and Jong-Wei Hsu of the Medical Center.

In the journal Carcinogenesis in 2006, Lee reported that vitamin D can inhibit the spread of prostate cancer by limiting the ability of cancer cells to invade healthy cells by reducing the activity of two specific enzymes, proteases called matrix metalloproteinase and cathepsin. The research was conducted in test tubes using human prostate cancer cell lines. That finding indicated that vitamin D could provide beneficial treatment to prostate cancer patients with high levels of the enzymes.

According to cancer researcher Bill Sardi of San Dimas, CA, it is safe to take vitamin D at levels of up to 40,000 units per day. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, research in recent years suggests that vitamin D supplementation of 10,000 units per day is safe for adults, meaning that this level does not result in toxicity known as hypervitaminosis D which normally occurs with long-term intake levels of 50,000 units per day.

Staying in the sun for one hour during the peak intensity period of the day during the summer, namely from 11am to 2pm , potentially supplies the body with 10,000 units of vitamin D. During the summer months, you can often rely on the sun for your supply of vitamin D. However, during the remainder of the year, and on days when you are unable to spend time in the sun during the peak period, taking 10,000 units of a vitamin D supplement is a good strategy to employ to protect oneself against prostate cancer. While vitamin D is known to be a safe vitamin to take as a supplement, it is always wise to consult with your personal physician when adding any nutritional supplement to your daily routine.

While the University of Rochester study focused on the efficacy of vitamin D to prevent and treat prostate cancer, many other studies have reported that vitamin D is essential in preventing and treating breast cancer. So the MSBL player and his better half can find common ground in taking vitamin D supplements every day. Also, on game days, the ladies have an additional reason for attending the games. In addition to supporting their favorite players, then can refuel on sunshine vitamin D.

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