Vitamin D Reduces Risk for Colon Polyps

Both the level of vitamin D in the blood and intake of vitamin D-rich foods decrease the risk of colorectal polyps in a number of studies.

Analyzing published studies of blood levels of vitamin D, researchers found a 30 percent decrease in the risk of adenomas among people with the most circulating vitamin D compared to those with the least. The highest vitamin D intake decreased adenomatous polyp risk by 11 percent.

In addition, there appeared to be an even stronger relationship between both blood levels and vitamin D intake for advanced adenomas, with the highest risk of cancer. Higher blood levels decreased risk of advanced adenomas by 46 percent, greater intake of vitamin D by 23 percent.

Melissa Wei and her colleagues concluded,

Both circulating 25(OH)D and vitamin D intake wereinversely associated with colorectal adenoma incidence and recurrentadenomas. These results further support a role of vitamin Din prevention of colorectal adenoma incidence and recurrence.

SOURCE: Wei et al., Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, Volume 17, Number 11, November 2008.

This news article was originally posted on November 7th, 2008 and was accurate at the time of publication. Since then, information may have changed or links may now be outdated. Please call our Answer Line 1-877-427-2111 for the latest information, or talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.

Posted by Kate Murphy on November 7th, 2008
Tags: adenomas, colorectal cancer prevention, vitamin D

Comments

ed mounds

November 21, 2008 at 1:58pm

This focused on colon polyps.
Is there any inference on polyps elsewhere, such as bladder ?

Kate Murphy

November 21, 2008 at 3:25pm

The focus on this research was on colon polyps that are identified during a colonoscopy. I don’t think that it would be fair to infer that the same thing is true for bladder polyps — but it might be.

It would be important to search for research that is being done with other polyps in other organs.