Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer

By Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

More and more research is accumulating showing that low blood levels of vitamin D increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. In fact, one recent study showed a doubling of the cancer risk in those whose vitamin D levels were low. This may be one of the important reasons why African Americans (who have more melanin in their skin) are reported to have higher rates of prostate cancer than people with lighter skin. If you have dark skin, your need for sunshine may be greater. If, in addition, you work indoors, it may be even more important that you take supplemental vitaminD. Don’t try to increase your vitamin D intake by drinking milk, since it has been demonstrated to significantly increase the risk of prostate cancer.