Vitamin D and Calcium May Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer

A recent study, the largest of its kind, appears to show strong evidence that vitamin D and calcium may significantly decrease the risk of colon cancer.

The ability of this combination to reduce the risk of colon cancer has been an ongoing debate in the scientific community. Colon cancer accounts for nearly 10% of new cancer cases yearly worldwide.

Results of the study were published in the January 2010 issue of the British Medical Journal. Researchers from six European countries analyzed data of over half a million participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer Study (EPIC).

EPIC was a large study designed to investigate the relationships between diet, nutritional status, lifestyle and environmental factors and the incidence of cancer and other chronic diseases.

During the course of the study, 1,248 of the participants were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. When the researchers compared those participants to 1,248 healthy controls, they found a 40% reduction in colon cancer among individuals with adequate blood levels of vitamin D and calcium.

Beyond reducing your risk of colon cancer, vitamin D and calcium have also been shown to improve bone health, lower blood pressure and may even improve your overall mood.

Calcium has been shown to aid bone health, help with weight loss, skin health, and reducing the risk of ccolorectal cancer and stroke. Some studies have even suggested that calcium intake is associated with longevity.

Most Americans do not get enough vitamin D daily, especially mature adults. As we age, our skin becomes less efficient at synthesizing the vitamin during exposure to the sun. For this reason an estimated 95% of seniors have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.