Vitamin D Helps Fight Bone Loss in Breast Cancer Patients
Researchers in the U.S. have found that many breast cancer paitents have low levels of vitamin D due to cancer treatment. As a result, researchers have recommended that breast cancer patients take high doses of vitamin D to help strengthen their bones and reduce the risk of fractures.
The researchers point out that women with breast cancer have accelerated bone loss due to the nature of hormone therapy and chemotherapy.
The researchers studied 166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and found that almost 70 per cent of them had low levels of vitamin D in their blood. The average level of vitamin D was 27 nanograms per milliliter of blood, below the adequate level of 32 nanograms per milliliter.
The researchers found that supplementation with 50,000 IU or more a week boosted the levels of the vitamin among the women.
Earlier studies have found that nearly half of men and women have vitamin D levels below 32 nanograms per milliliter. Not only is vitamin D important for strengthening bones, but it is also vital in cell growth and keeping the immune system strong. Vitamin D is obtained through exposure to sunlight as well as from cush foods as milk and fortified cereals.
