In a new review study from the University of Warwick, researchers suggest a vitamin D deficiency might increase the risk of bladder cancer.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence on the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D, which the body produces through exposure to sunshine, helps the body control calcium and phosphate levels. Vitamin D can also come from food sources such as fatty fish and egg yolks.
Previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency with a host of health problems including cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, autoimmune conditions, and cancer.
In countries with low levels of sunlight, it is difficult to obtain enough vitamin D from food alone.
In this study, researchers examined the link between vitamin D and bladder cancer risk. They reviewed seven studies on the topic, which ranged from having 112 to 1,125 participants each.
Five out of the seven studies linked low vitamin D levels to an increased risk of bladder cancer.
In a separate experiment, the researchers then looked at the cells that line the bladder, known as transitional epithelial cells, and found that these cells are able to activate and respond to vitamin D, which in turn can stimulate an immune response.
According to the team, this is important because the immune system may have a role in cancer prevention by identifying abnormal cells before they develop into cancer.
The work suggests that low levels of vitamin D in the blood may prevent the cells within the bladder from stimulating an adequate response to abnormal cells.
The team says as vitamin D is cheap and safe, its potential use in cancer prevention is exciting and could potentially impact the lives of many people.
If you care about vitamins, please read studies about vitamin D can be an inexpensive COVID-19 treatment and findings of vitamin K may help cut heart disease risk by a third.
For more information about vitamins and your health, please see recent studies about vitamin D and COVID-19: What you need to know and results showing that this common vitamin supplement may harm your eyes.
The study was presented at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference. One author of the study is Rosemary Bland.
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