Vitamin D may increase longevity in people with cancer according to an article from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai in the April 2014 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinoloogy and Metabolism. Scientists measured vitamin D levels in more than 17,000 patients diagnosed wth cancer and found that those with higher levels had better survival rates and remained in remission longer. Their data came from a meta-analysis of 25 individual studies.
Results demonstrated that for every 10 nmol/L increase in vitamin D levels there was an associated 4% increase in survival in these cancer patients. It is becoming clear that it is important to get sufficient sunlight or to supplement with vitamin D. Because of the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, everyone should have a level determined by laboratory testing.