12.16.09 07:01 PM
A recent study conducted by The Mayo Clinic suggests a strong link between vitamin D levels and cancer progression in lymphoma patients.
Researchers studied 374 patients who were recently diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, half of whom had insufficient levels of vitamin D.
Patients who were deficient in the vitamin had a 50 percent greater risk of cancer progression and a two-fold greater risk of death compared to those with optimal levels of the compound.
"While these findings are very provocative, they are preliminary and need to be validated in other studies," said endocrinologist Matthew Blake. "However, they raise the issue of whether vitamin D supplementation might aid in treatment for this malignancy, and thus should stimulate much more research," he added.
The study reinforces previous findings that suggest that vitamin D is critical to the maintenance of overall health. It can be found in many dietary sources including eggs, fortified milk and fish as well as inexpensive dietary supplements. In addition, some 15 minutes in the sun three times a week in the summer may help replenish vitamin D levels.
Recent studies have also found that vitamin D may provide protection from high blood pressure and several autoimmune diseases.
http://www.personalliberty.com/news/...udes-19502242/ 
