Dr. WEEKS Comment: When Oh when will my medical colleagues finally start paying attention to the important distinction between normal ranges and optimal range ranges? Take vitamin D3 for example. The normal range is 30 to 100 but for most patients, the optimal range would be between 80 and 100. Why is this significant? Well, I asked my colleagues the following: “Do you have kids?” They typically say “Yes”. Then I ask: “Do they go to school?”and they typically respond “Yes.” Next question: “Do they bring home a report card to share with you?” Again the answer is “Yes”. Finally I would query them. “How would you feel if your child came home from school with a report card and the grade was D minus?” Well they answer that they wouldn’t be happy so I inquire “Why not? D is in the normal range of A to F!”
If you want optimal health, you need to have optimal, blood test results, not just normal results.
Let’s talk about prostate cancer. For example, although you’re oncologist, and your urologist may not tell you this, optimal or functional vitamin D levels are very important in preventing and treating people with prostate cancer. As is the case with all the hormones and pro hormones, like vitamin D, at least optimal amounts of the substance have to be present but, in addition what is required, is optimally functioning hormone receptors. In the case of vitamin D3, if you’re worried that you might have enough vitamin D, but that the receptors are not functioning, you need to check the parathyroid hormone levels. If they’re elevated, your vitamin D is not being adequately utilized. The price could be death.
Here below are a couple of articles about vitamin D and prostate cancer, which are instructive, but sadly, your oncologist and neurologist may not be aware of them. Please get your vitamin D levels tested as well as your inflammatory markers since all cancers are driven by inflammation. Those markers would include ESR, hs-C reactive protein, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon alpha as well as levels of your anti-inflammatory vitamins: A, C, and E.
ARTICLE 1
“This meta-analysis suggested that higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was associated with a reduction of mortality in prostate cancer patients and vitamin D is an important protective factor in the progression and prognosis of prostate cancer.”
Abstract
Previous studies investigating the association of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D level with prognosis of prostate cancer yielded controversial results. We conducted a dose–response meta-analysis to elucidate the relationship. PubMed and EMBASE were searched for eligible studies up to July 15, 2018. We performed a dose–response meta-analysis using random-effect model to calculate the summary hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI of mortality in patients with prostate cancer. Seven eligible cohort studies with 7808 participants were included. The results indicated that higher vitamin D level could reduce the risk of death among prostate cancer patients. The summary HR of prostate cancer-specific mortality correlated with an increment of every 20 nmol/L in circulating vitamin D level was 0.91, with 95% CI 0.87–0.97, P = 0.002. The HR for all-cause mortality with the increase of 20 nmol/L vitamin D was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.84–0.98, P = 0.01). Sensitivity analysis suggested the pooled HRs were stable and not obviously changed by any single study. No evidence of publications bias was observed. This meta-analysis suggested that higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was associated with a reduction of mortality in prostate cancer patients and vitamin D is an important protective factor in the progression and prognosis of prostate cancer.
AND
Article 2
Abstract
Prostate cancer poses a significant health challenge globally, demanding proactive prevention strategies. This editorial explores the emerging role of vitamin D in prostate cancer prevention. While traditionally associated with bone health, vitamin D is increasingly recognized for its broader impact on immune function, cellular signaling, and cancer prevention. Epidemiological studies suggest an intriguing link between vitamin D deficiency and elevated prostate cancer risk, particularly in regions with limited sunlight exposure. Mechanistically, vitamin D regulates cellular processes, inhibiting unchecked cancer cell growth and bolstering immune surveillance.Personalized prevention strategies, considering individual factors, are deemed essential for harnessing the full potential of vitamin D. To unlock this potential, the future calls for robust research, public awareness campaigns, dietary improvements, and vigilant medical guidance. Collaborative efforts are poised to pave the way toward a future where vitamin D stands as a sentinel in prostate cancer prevention, ushering in hope and improved health for men worldwide.