The Link Between Low Vitamin D, Cancer & Other Diseases

Vitamin D Balancing Can Help Maintain Optimal Health & Vitality

Vitamin D is best known for building strong bones, but its importance in the human body reaches far beyond the skeleton. Nearly every cell in the body has Vitamin D receptors, and researchers have linked low Vitamin D levels to many diseases – including certain cancers, Parkinson’s disease, inflammatory conditions, heart disease and stroke.

The human body does produce it’s own Vitamin D. But low Vitamin D is still very common – especially in northern climates like Michigan – where winter sunlight is limited.  You see, we need the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation to trigger the chemical reaction in our skin that allows the body to manufacture its own supply. Even though it is called a vitamin, vitamin D actually acts more like a hormone, and the sun serves as the primary natural catalyst to kickstart its production.

Disease prevention is at the heart of the care provided by functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim, MD at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI. Dr. Hakim focuses on identifying and correcting imbalances such as Vitamin D deficiency before they contribute to chronic illness. She relies on personalized testing and individualized treatments – rather than a one-size-fits-all dose.

Cancer & Vitamin D

Some of the most widely discussed Vitamin D research comes from cancer prevention specialists at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego. Their pooled analyses, which combine data from multiple studies, examined nearly 1,800 records and found that individuals with the lowest blood levels of Vitamin D, measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D, had the highest rates of breast cancer. Individuals with the highest blood levels of Vitamin D had the lowest rates.

Based on these findings, the researchers estimated that raising Vitamin D levels could potentially prevent up to half of breast cancer cases in the United States, and a companion analysis found a similar pattern for colorectal cancer. Laboratory studies also show that Vitamin D can slow the growth of some cancer cells and encourage abnormal cells to mature normally.

These findings show a strong association rather than proof that Vitamin D prevents cancer. The large VITAL trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019, did not find that Vitamin D supplements reduced overall cancer incidence, although later analyses suggested a possible reduction in cancer deaths. Dr. Hakim therefore views adequate Vitamin D as one important part of a broader cancer prevention strategy that also includes screening, nutrition, exercise and a healthy weight.

Osteoporosis & Vitamin D

Vitamin D’s role in bone health is its most firmly established function. Vitamin D enables the intestines to absorb calcium and phosphorus, the minerals that give bones their strength, and without enough Vitamin D the body draws calcium from the bones to maintain normal blood levels.

Over time, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis and fractures, and severe deficiency causes osteomalacia, a softening of the bones. Healthy Vitamin D levels also support muscle strength and balance in older adults, which may reduce the risk of falls. Dr. Hakim considers calcium, magnesium and Vitamin K2 alongside Vitamin D when developing a bone health plan.

Parkinson’s Disease & Vitamin D

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, balance and coordination, and people with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to have low Vitamin D levels. A Finnish study published in Archives of Neurology (Knekt et al., 2010) found that people with higher Vitamin D levels had a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease over nearly 30 years of follow-up.

Vitamin D receptors are found in brain regions affected by Parkinson’s disease, and researchers believe Vitamin D may help protect nerve cells. More research is needed to determine whether supplementation can prevent or slow the disease, but healthy Vitamin D levels support both brain and bone health.

Inflammatory Conditions & Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and keep inflammation in balance. Low Vitamin D levels have been associated with a higher risk of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and autoimmune thyroid disease.

An ancillary study of the VITAL trial, published in the BMJ in 2022 (Hahn et al.), found that adults who took 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily for about five years had a 22 percent lower rate of confirmed autoimmune disease than those taking a placebo. For patients with inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, Dr. Hakim includes Vitamin D testing as part of a comprehensive, root-cause approach to care.

Heart Disease, Stroke & Vitamin D

Low Vitamin D has been associated with high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke in numerous observational studies, and Vitamin D receptors are present in the heart and blood vessels. Vitamin D helps regulate blood pressure, inflammation and the health of the blood vessel lining.

Clinical trials, however, have not shown that Vitamin D supplements reduce heart attacks or strokes in people who already have adequate levels. The greatest benefit likely comes from correcting a true deficiency, which is why Dr. Hakim reviews Vitamin D alongside blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar when assessing cardiovascular risk.

How Do I Know If I Need More Vitamin D?

Vitamin D deficiency often causes no obvious symptoms, although some people experience fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain or frequent infections. Older adults, people with darker skin or obesity, those who spend little time outdoors. and residents of northern states are at higher risk for low Vitamin D levels.

A blood test measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the only reliable way to determine Vitamin D status. Dr. Hakim recommends that her patients have their Vitamin D levels checked twice a year, once in the summer when levels may be higher from more sunshine and once in the winter when shorter, darker days may cause levels to drop.

Testing your Vitamin D levels is equally important for safety. While too little Vitamin D can contribute to serious diseases, too much Vitamin D can cause a dangerous buildup of calcium in the blood, called hypercalcemia, which can lead to nausea, weakness, kidney stones and heart rhythm problems. That is why seeing a functional medicine doctor like Nishath Hakim, MD is safer and more effective than just taking one-size-fits-all doses of over-the-counter Vitamin D Supplements.

The Best Way to Get Vitamin D

Several foods, including fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk and cod liver oil, contain Vitamin D, but diet typically provides only a small share of the Vitamin D that reaches the bloodstream. The skin also produces Vitamin D from the sun’s ultraviolet light, but too much sun causes skin damage and may significantly increase the risk of skin cancer in susceptible individuals.

In northern latitudes, the skin makes little or no Vitamin D during winter regardless of time spent outdoors. For these reasons, supplementation is often the most reliable and controlled way to maintain healthy Vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D Supplements

Vitamin D comes in two forms, Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which is produced by plants and fungi, and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), the form the skin makes in response to sunlight. Research indicates that D3 raises and maintains blood levels more effectively than D2, which is why D3 is the preferred form for Vitamin D supplements.

Many multivitamins contain too little Vitamin D, sometimes in the D2 form, to correct a deficiency, and some contain preformed Vitamin A in amounts that are not balanced with Vitamin D. Dr. Hakim recommends testing twice a year and adjusting Vitamin D supplements under her supervision, and she offers her own clinical-grade blend of Vitamin D3, Vitamin A and Vitamin K.

Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2 and Vitamin A are combined in Vitamin D supplements because they work as an interdependent trio that regulates calcium metabolism, immune health and cellular growth. Vitamin D3 enhances calcium and phosphorus absorption and supports bone mineralization and immune function. Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) activates proteins such as osteocalcin, which binds calcium into bone, and matrix Gla protein, which helps keep calcium out of arteries and soft tissues.

Because Vitamin D3 increases calcium absorption and the production of vitamin K-dependent proteins, Vitamin K2 is needed to activate those proteins so calcium reaches the skeleton rather than the blood vessels. Vitamin A works with Vitamin D at the genetic level to support immune regulation, vision and healthy cell development, and balanced amounts support the bone remodeling and immune responses that Vitamin D regulates. Patients taking blood thinners such as warfarin should consult their physician before using any supplement that contains Vitamin K.

Best Vitamin D Supplements | Prosperity Health

Low Vitamin D is common, easy to test for, and simple to correct with the right guidance. Maintaining healthy Vitamin D levels is one of the most practical steps you can take to support your bones, immune system and long-term health.

To have your Vitamin D levels tested and receive personalized recommendations for Vitamin D supplements, schedule an appointment with functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim, MD in Royal Oak, MI. At Prosperity Health, we are committed to helping you prevent disease and live a longer, healthier life.

Custom Supplement Balancing Doctor:  248-997-4242

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute a diagnosis or specific medical advice. Individual needs vary, so please consult Dr. Hakim or your physician before starting, stopping or changing any supplement or medication.