The Common Vitamin that Prevents Cancer

Most People Don’t Even Know They’re Deficient

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My Longevity Experiment
November 12, 2024

Natural Treatments for Cancer: Insights from a New Study

A groundbreaking study from Japan, recently published in the American Journal of Cancer Research, suggests that a commonly deficient vitamin in many populations—Vitamin D—could serve as a preventive treatment for certain types of cancer, especially for individuals exposed to arsenic.

Arsenic in Drinking Water and Its Link to Cancer

Current estimates indicate that over 140 million people across 50 countries are regularly exposed to arsenic through their drinking water, often at levels significantly above the World Health Organization’s guideline of 10 micrograms per liter. Chronic exposure to arsenic is well-documented as a cause of various cancers, including skin cancer. However, until recently, understanding the biological mechanisms behind arsenic-related carcinogenesis has been limited, and effective prevention methods have remained elusive.

Revealing the Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention

Researchers at the Shibaura Institute of Technology and Nagoya University have taken an important step forward by identifying the mechanisms through which Vitamin D, in its active form, calcitriol, inhibits the carcinogenic effects of arsenic in skin cells, particularly keratinocytes. This research points to calcitriol as a potential agent in countering arsenic-induced cancer at the cellular level.

Professor Ichiro Yajima from the Department of Bioscience and Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology, who led the study, explained, "Our in vitro study in human non-tumorigenic HaCaT skin keratinocytes showed that calcitriol, which is also known as activated vitamin D3 or 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3, inhibited arsenic-mediated anchorage-independent growth with down-regulations of cancer-related activation of several signaling pathways, including MEK, ERK1/2, and AKT, as well as activity of cell cycle."

Lowering Arsenic Levels in Cells Through Calcitriol

In their quest to understand how calcitriol affects arsenic uptake, the researchers measured arsenic levels in HaCaT cells using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrophotometer. They found that increasing doses of calcitriol significantly reduced arsenic levels within these cells.

Dr. Masashi Kato, a study collaborator and Professor at the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at Nagoya University, further noted, "Calcitriol significantly repressed arsenic uptake in HaCaT cells with the regulation of expressions of aquaporin genes (AQP7, 9, and 10), which were modified by arsenic exposure. Vitamin D receptor expression was significantly increased by arsenic exposure whereas calcitriol had no effect on the expression of the receptor."

Expanding Calcitriol's Effects Beyond Skin Cells

To explore whether calcitriol’s inhibitory effects on tumorigenesis extend beyond skin cells, the researchers conducted tests using a human lung epithelial cell line, Beas-2b. The results showed that calcitriol suppressed arsenic-mediated growth in these lung cells by 21.4% to 70.0%, suggesting that calcitriol’s protective effects may apply to other tissue types vulnerable to arsenic exposure.

Professor Yajima stated, "These results suggest that calcitriol suppresses arsenic-induced tumorigenesis not only in keratinocytes but also in other target cells including lung epithelial cells. Furthermore, the expression pattern of aquaporin genes involved in arsenic uptake, a critical step in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis, is significantly altered by calcitriol treatment. We therefore believe that activated vitamin D3, or calcitriol, may contribute to the prevention and therapy for arsenic-mediated diseases including cancer."

The Broader Impact of Environmental Toxins on Health

Environmental toxins like arsenic have been recognized as significant contributors to life-threatening conditions, including cancer. While arsenic-induced cancers may take years or even decades to manifest, this research suggests that calcitriol might play a valuable role in cancer prevention. By taking calcitriol or Vitamin D3, individuals in arsenic-contaminated areas may lower their cancer risk and improve their long-term health.

The Importance of Vitamin K2 in Vitamin D Supplementation

In discussions of Vitamin D as a supplement, it’s essential to consider Vitamin K2. There are two primary forms of Vitamin K: Vitamin K1, found in leafy greens and other plant foods, and Vitamin K2, found in some animal products and fermented foods. Vitamin K2, particularly in its MK-4 and MK-7 subtypes, regulates the calcium deposition facilitated by Vitamin D3. It helps direct calcium to the bones and teeth, reducing the risk of calcification in soft tissues, such as blood vessels and kidneys.

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Study Links:

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