Role of Vitamin D in the Fight Against Cancer

It’s well known that higher levels of Vitamin D enhance immunity to fight colds and flu, but new research shows a tremendous benefit not only in preventing cancer but also enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments.

The Role in Cancer
World renowned oncologist and researcher Dr. Angus Dalgleish conducted a variety of studies investigating how cancer vaccines, Ivermectin and Vitamin D improve survival in melanoma, pancreatic, and other cancers. Amazingly, he found that chemotherapy medications were more effective when people had higher levels of Vitamin D (>35ng/ml).

Dr. Dalgleish chastises healthcare providers in cancer centers around the world to check Vitamin D levels and raise them to healthier levels to improve outcomes!

It’s important to work with a healthcare provider regarding Vitamin D3 supplementation. Begin with a blood test. Some people must use caution if kidney damage is present or have certain genetic vulnerabilities to ensure that Vitamin D levels are not too high. However, most people have very low levels and tolerate vitamin D3 supplementation extremely well.

The Role in COVID and other Viral and Bacterial Infections
Researchers examined over 20 studies that examined the role Vitamin D played in COVID-19 infections between 2020 to 2024 that included thousands of patients from around the world. They found that people with Vitamin D levels <30ng/ml were more likely to get a COVID-19 infection and suffer greater complications than those with higher levels. The defined levels were:

—<12ng/ml as a severe deficiency

—12ng/ml to 20ng/ml as deficient

—<30ng/ml still requires supplementation

—30ng/ml to 60ng/ml is Optimal

The Importance of Vitamin D
When the body is attacked by viruses, bacteria, abnormal cancerous cells or any irritated inflamed process, Vitamin D is needed to activate the immune cells. White blood cells and killer agents go to the area to destroy the pathogen and heal the area. Each immune cell must have Vitamin D to activate the white blood cell fighters. After the attack, levels of Vitamin D plummet and need replaced. Some adults and children keep getting sick primarily because there just isn’t enough Vitamin D left over to be ready for the next invader.

How Is It Made?
When the sun hits the skin, a reaction occurs that sends a chemical to the liver where Vitamin D is made. Vitamin D is also absorbed in the gastric track when certain foods are eaten (oily fish…). Supplements such as D2 and D3 (best) also become absorbed in the gastric system and taken up by the liver.

It takes about 3 weeks from the time the supplement is swallowed for the liver to convert it into a form that the body can use! If you get a serious cold or flu the day you begin taking Vitamin D3 it won’t be available yet to help you fight the infection. It’s important to start taking it in the early fall and stay on it through the winter.

A Quicker Form of Vitamin D
Calcifidiol is a prescription that is ready to work within 1 to 2 hours while D3 supplementation takes around 3 weeks to work. It is increasingly being used in very ill patients.

Disappointingly, studies were done during Covid looking at whether Vitamin D improved outcomes in very sick, hospitalized patients. The results showed no benefit, but they gave the slower form of D3 which wouldn’t be ready to help for another 3 weeks. However, Japanese researchers gave the fast-acting form Calcifidiol with very positive results.

Scientists are beginning to learn a great deal about the benefits of this amazing vitamin but there is still much to learn. For now, protect yourself and your loved ones. Most people tolerate it very well and the benefits far outweigh the risks. Do your homework and get a level checked. Speak with your healthcare provider and increase your D3 dose as directed. Stay on it all throughout the fall and winter. If you become really ill, ask about the fast-acting form of Vitamin D, Calcifidiol.

On A Personal Note:
Most of us have watched as a loved one or friend suffered from cancer, dangerous viruses or diseases that cause chronic inflammation. Research is emerging that Vitamin D3 supplementation definitely boosts immunity to extinguish the fires of many diseases. Yet, one wonders, how many had a simple blood test to check a Vitamin D level?  

When I speak in front of audiences or speak with a patient I ask about their Vitamin D level. Most haven’t had it done. My goal now is to instruct others on the benefits of this simple thing that enhances health. The moral of this story is to increase your Vitamin D levels now. Don’t wait for a running nose to start. Be proactive! May you all be blessed with a healthier Low Vitamin D Season.

Beloved, I pray that all will go well with you and that you may be in good health,

as it goes well with your soul (3 John 1:2).

Reference:

“Angus Dangleish, Full Interview,” Dr. John Campbell Today Podcast (October 23, 2024).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0nx6aBpUj4.

Canazi, Mudan, Dunne, Belonwu & Dalgleish, “Long-term Survival & Outcome of Patients Originally Given Mycobacterium Vaccae for Metastatic Malignant Melanoma,” Human & Immunotherapeutics (July 9, 2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/hv.25618.

Dagleish et al., “Randomized, Open-Label, Phase II Study of Gemcitabine with & without IMM-101 Advanced Pancreatic Cancer,” British Journal of Cancer (September 6, 2016). https://www.nature.com/articles/bjc2016271.

 

“New Vitamin D Paper,” Dr. John Campbell Today Podcast (October 23, 2024).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENuGXJB06o0

 

10. Sabit et al. “Vitamin D: A key Player in COVID-19 Immunity & Lessons from the Pandemic to Combat Immune-Evasive Variants, Inflammatopharmacology (October 16, 2024). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10787-024-01578-w.

Murai et al. “Effect of High Dose Vitamin D3 on Hospital Length of Stay in Patients with Moderate to Severe COVID-19 (March 16, 2021) JAMA. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33595634/.

Ogasawara et al., “Effect of 1-hydroxy-vitamin D Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Study,”(October 10, 2023), Clinical Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37677909/.

Author of Wake UP Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for A Heart Attack and Stroke (2015) and Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022).

You may visit my website for additional information: jenniejohnsonrn.com