Introduction
Recent studies have suggested that taking vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally found in some foods, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk, and is also produced when skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D plays an important role in the body, helping to regulate calcium and phosphorus levels, as well as aiding in the absorption of these minerals. It is also thought to have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. This new study suggests that taking vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, particularly in those who are at a higher risk due to their skin type or lifestyle.
Vitamin D Supplements May Reduce Skin Cancer Risk, Study Says
A new study has found that taking vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. The study, published in the journal JAMA Dermatology, looked at the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer.
The study included more than 1,200 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a vitamin D supplement. The participants were followed for an average of four years. The researchers found that those who took the vitamin D supplement had a significantly lower risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer than those who took the placebo.
The researchers also found that the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer was lower in those who had higher levels of vitamin D in their blood. This suggests that taking vitamin D supplements may help to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
The study’s authors note that more research is needed to confirm their findings. They also point out that vitamin D supplements should not be used as a substitute for other measures to reduce the risk of skin cancer, such as avoiding excessive sun exposure and using sunscreen.
The findings of this study suggest that taking vitamin D supplements may help to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal dose of vitamin D for reducing skin cancer risk.
It’s thought that one out of every five people in the United States will face skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. It’s also the most common cancer in the U.S., with over one million people in the country specifically dealing with melanoma. Although you can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting how much time you spend in the direct sun, using sunscreen, and keeping an eye out for signs of cancer, a new study has found that you might also be able to ward off skin cancer with the help of vitamin D supplements.
The study, which was published by Melanoma Research, involved 498 adults between the ages of 21 and 79 years old: 245 were women, 253 were male, and 96 participants were immunosuppression. According to the study, it was believed that all participants were at risk of developing skin cancer.
Participants were put into one of three groups based on how often they reported taking vitamin D supplements. While 99 people said they never took the supplements, 126 said they occasionally took them, and 177 said they used the supplements regularly.
Researchers’ findings show that those who used vitamin D supplements occasionally had a 46% less chance of being diagnosed with malignant melanoma. For regular users, this number went up to 55%. Beyond that, these numbers correlated to similar numbers for other types of skin cancer.
While that sounds promising, senior author of the study Ilkka T. Harvima, MD, Ph.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital explained in a statement via Medscape Medical News that although certain variables were considered and accounted for, “it is still possible that some other, yet unidentified or untested, factors can still confound the present result.” Because of that, “the causal link between vitamin D and melanoma cannot be confirmed by the present results,” Dr. Harvima’s statement continued.
Dr. Slade Stratton, a dermatologist and professor in the division of dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, also warns against taking too many vitamin D supplements.
“This is a retrospective uncontrolled study, and it is difficult to draw any conclusions about vitamin D and whether or not it might help prevent melanoma,” Dr. Stratton tells Eat This, Not That! “All we can say is that the Finnish study subjects that regularly took a vitamin D supplement seemed to have slightly less melanomas, but we don’t know why.”
“It may very well be from some other factor shared by that group, i.e., Finns that take a vitamin D supplement regularly, may also avoid sun exposure more than Finns who do not take a supplement,” Stratton adds. “We just can’t tell what vitamin D’s actual role in the lower melanoma incidence is from this kind of study.”
“The data is very conflicted on whether vitamin D prevents skin cancer,” Stratton notes. “Lab studies have shown that vitamin D3 protects skin cells against ultraviolet-induced damage, but how it might actually be protective in the body is still a topic of study.”
At the same time, Stratton is sure to point out, “We may know more about vitamin D and its possible role in preventing progression of melanoma from a long-running trial set to complete late in 2023. It will be exciting.”
If you’re still interested in trying vitamin D supplements, Johna Burdeos, RD, suggests that you do your due diligence researching your choice supplement brand or manufacturer before purchasing and taking vitamin D or any other supplements they may provide.
“As with any dietary supplement, consumers should understand that the supplement industry is not tightly regulated the way that medicine and food are,” explains Burdeos. “As such, consumers should not blindly select a vitamin D supplement and should research the supplement.”
“Find out if it’s gone through independent third-party testing such as with US Pharmacopeia, NSF, or ConsumerLabs,” Burdeos says. “These third parties have no affiliation such as production and marketing with a company. They check to see if the contents in the product match what is stated on the label and for purity—ensuring there are no contaminants or ingredients that may pose a risk.”
“It is always a good idea to speak to your doctor first, if you’re considering supplementation or wondering if you need one in the first place,” adds Burdeos. “Some medications may interact with vitamin D, [so] chatting with your doctor would help.”
“Be wary of supplements that make bold promises or ‘too-good-to-be-true’ sounding claims,” Burdeos advises. “Lastly, always follow the directions on the bottle.”
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