Lack of Vitamin D Might be Associated with a Higher Risk of Prostate Cancer

Vitamin D is essential in maintaining normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorous to help strengthen bones. A lack of its consumption could lead to serious illness later down the road, including different forms of cancer.

Researchers at Northwestern University released a study that found a deficiency of vitamin D in men could be associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death among men of all races. The researchers examined two groups: 275 European-American men and 273 African-American men all between the ages of 40 and 79.

Throughout the course of the study from 2009-2013, they found that both groups of men who had the lowest levels of vitamin D possessed a greater likelihood of developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer. European-American men were 3.66 times more likely and African-American men were 4.89 times more likely.

To arrive at this conclusion, the researchers measured the men's vitamin D levels through blood samples. The normal range of 25-OH D is 30 to 80 nanograms per milliliter; the average levels were reported at 19.3 ng/ml for European-Americans and 16.7 ng/ml for African-Americans. The men were divided into groups based on their vitamin D levels: less than 12 ng/ml, less than 16 ng/ml, less than 20 ng/ml, and less than 30 ng/ml.

The statistics based on the likelihood of developing prostate cancer came out of those who fell under the "Less than 12 ng/ml" group. However, this is something that can easily be avoided, as vitamin D is plentiful in our everyday lives. First of all, the main source of the vitamin is the largest star in our solar system: the sun. The sun's ray provide healthy amounts of vitamin D, and with summer right around the corner, it shouldn't be an issue for a little while.

But during the long months of fall and winter, the sun isn't as good of a source. In which case a vitamin D supplement is recommended as well as consuming foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish (swordfish, salmon, tuna, and sardines), eggs, milk, orange juice, Swiss cheese, yogurt, and others.