Scientists stunned to find Vitamin D, Calcium fail to stop this frightening

Colon cancer, however, is no longer considered among them.

A major study finds that taking calcium or Vitamin D pills does not help prevent growths that can lead to colon cancer in people who have had at least one in the past. The website noted that loading up on calcium and vitamin D not only failed to reduce the risk of colon cancer, but also failed to remove pre-cancerous colorectal adenomas (polyps).

In lab studies, vitamin D has been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells through inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels required to feed a cancer’s growth, and also by directly causing the death of cancer cells. The calcium data in particular was surprising, and scientists are going back to the drawing board to figure out why they got these results.

In the study, the researchers have enrolled 2,259 people aged between 45 and 75.

“Daily supplementation with vitamin D3 (1000 IU), calcium (1200 mg), or both after removal of colorectal adenomas did not significantly reduce the risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas over a period of 3 to 5 years”, the researchers wrote.

In the next stage, the volunteers have undergone colonoscopy after three to five years.

After the study, Baron said according to the report that the team can say with confidence that a 1,000 IU dose of Vitamin D isn’t effective. The research challenges past studies that had found dietary supplements may help prevent precancerous growths’ recurrence. Then, patients were randomly selected from the three groups and were either given vitamin D3 or calcium, or both; or neither. That happened despite taking calcium or vitamin D supplementation. A few women who opted for calcium were given either vitamin D supplements or a placebo.

“We did that so that women concerned about bone health would feel comfortable taking part”, because they were ensured of getting calcium if they wanted it, Baron explained. The team also adjusted the results for income, sex, age, substance abuse & other risks & the results stayed the same. In addition, vitamin D supplementation in mouse models of cancer lower the risk of developing the disease. However, a new study has unfortunately debunked the simple measure to avoiding the disease in the future. Past studies suggested that the protective role continued long after patients ceased to take the supplements.

The follow-up colonoscopies showed “no significant difference in the occurrence of new polyps”.

Researchers said that while vitamin D and calcium can work later work in preventing lethal cancers, they hardly work on the “precancerous predecessors”. They needed to study the issue further.