Adequate levels of vitamin D may reduce a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer as well as suppressing the growth and spread of a prostate cancer in men that already have the disease.
Vitamin D is found in two main forms:
vitamin D2,through diet
vitamin D3,through sun exposure
Vitamin D 2 and 3 are converted in the liver to it’s biologically active form,1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D and is required for several important bodily functions.
Because of sun exposure making it more likely to have adequate vitamin D levels,men in the sun belt may be less likely to develop prostate cancer.
Of men who developed prostate cancer,the more aggressive forms have been found in those men with low serum levels of vitamin D,especially in those men over 65 years of age.
Men over 50 years of age should have their vitamin D levels checked along with their PSA’s as well as being counselled on the benefits of regular exercise and a healthy diet. Preventative measures such as these may help minimize the risk of developing a prostate cancer while early detection of a cancer when still localized to the prostate may improve the chances of cure by minimally invasive treatment options such as HIFU.