open access: What You and Your Patients Need to Know About Vitamin D

 Semin Cutan Med Surg 31:2-10 © 2012


Cancer

"Studies related to cancer and vitamin D have been some of the
most controversial and the most publicized. However, prospective
randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies conducted during many years fail to support vitamin D supplementation as a means to reduce cancer incidence or mortality overall or by cancer subtype.13.......Although the data do not support causation, if vitamin D
status is correlated with malignancy risk, it may be a proxy
for another effect of UV exposure that is independent of
vitamin D......"

Concluding Remarks

"Despite the extensive recent media coverage, the established
role of vitamin D in public health remains much the same as
100 years ago—a requirement for skeletal health, particularly
relevant to debilitated elderly populations. Most adults with
lighter skin easily maintain desirable 25(OH)D levels year round
by incidental protected sun exposure and a varied diet.
Seeking vitamin D through sun exposure is an imprecise
endeavor with well-documented risks of photo carcinogenesis
and photo aging. Thus, persons at high or intermediate
risk for skin cancer should practice “safe sun,” including
wearing sun-protective clothing, use of SPF sunscreen,
avoiding midday sun, and seeking shade. All persons should
avoid recreational sun beds. Routine monitoring of 25(OH)D
levels seems unwarranted; individuals concerned about possible
deficiency or “insufficiency” should be encouraged to
take a daily supplement of 400-1000 IU of vitamin D."