Shedding Light on Vitamin D and Integrative Oncology

Abstract

Studies show an important relationship between vitamin D and malignancies, both in prevention and treatment. The extraskeletal actions of vitamin D relevant to oncology include being proapoptotic, antimetastatic, antiangiogenic, antiinflammatory, prodifferentiating, and immunomodulating. Widespread and severe vitamin D deficiencies exist worldwide. Decreased sun exposure, caused by lifestyle changes, as well as fear of skin cancers, is the main cause of these deficiencies. Recommended daily oral intakes, as well as suggested blood levels, are below optimal levels suggested by studies. Improvement in vitamin D status, through lifestyle changes and supplementation, can be of profound benefit regarding the occurrence and mortality of malignancies.