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Does vitamin D increase estrogen?

High blood levels of vitamin D linked to reduced estrogen – and potentially lower breast cancer risk. Can taking daily vitamin D supplements decrease sex-hormone levels and thereby potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer in older women?

fredhutch.org - High blood levels of vitamin D linked to reduced estrogen

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The sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D is naturally found in some foods, such as fatty fish, and it is produced within the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. According to the Institute of Medicine, just 10 minutes of sun a day is enough to trigger adequate vitamin D production. The estimated average requirement via diet or supplementation is 400 IUs per day for most adults – an amount that has been demonstrated to support bone health. The reason the participants in the current study were given a substantially higher dose is because that is the amount that was estimated to be necessary to boost their insufficient blood vitamin D levels to the desired, or replete, range, Mason said. The nutrient plays many important roles in the body. Vitamin D promotes bone growth and bone healing and, along with calcium, helps protect older adults from osteoporosis. The vitamin also influences cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and it reduces inflammation. “Vitamin D is widely available and low cost, without many side effects at moderate doses,” Mason said. “Thus, even if it delivers a small benefit in reducing breast cancer risk, that could be important at the population level.” The bottom line, Mason said, is common-sense advice: “Maintaining a healthy weight throughout adult life – especially avoiding postmenopausal weight gain – is important for reducing breast cancer risk,” she said. “The role of vitamin D in postmenopausal breast cancer development is still unclear, but women could consult their doctor about having their blood vitamin D level checked and discuss whether they might benefit from some level of supplementation.” Grants from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Cancer Institute funded the study, one of only two clinical trials known to look at the potential effects of vitamin D on sex hormones in humans. Kristen Woodward, a science editor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has been in communications and media relations at Fred Hutch for more than 15 years. Before that, she was a managing editor at the University of Michigan Health System and a reporter/editor at The Holland Sentinel, a daily in western Michigan. She has received many national awards for health and science writing. She received her B.A. in journalism from Michigan State University. Reach her at kwoodwar@fredhutch.org. Solid tumors, such as those of the breast, are the focus of Solid Tumor Translational Research, a network comprised of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. STTR is bridging laboratory sciences and patient care to provide the most precise treatment options for patients with solid tumor cancers.

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