Research shows B vitamins, vitamin D, and daily aspirin can help reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. These natural, prevention methods are important. But it’s also important to look at natural approaches to help patients living with colon cancer.
For example, on Monday, I reported on a new study showing that two servings of nuts weekly drastically reduced the rate of recurrence and death in patients with colon cancer.
Plus, another new clinical trial presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting shows that giving vitamin D supplements slows the progression of colon cancer.
This finding didn’t surprise me since previous observational studies link higher blood levels of vitamin D with improved survival in patients with colon cancer. Plus, many previous studies over the years demonstrate vitamin D’s anti-cancer activities, as well as biological plausibility for preventing and slowing the development of colon cancer.
Despite all the evidence building over the last four decades, this was the first-ever clinical trial of the use of vitamin D as a colon cancer therapy, according to the researchers.
For the study, researchers randomly assigned 139 colon cancer patients to one of two groups. The high-dose group of patients in the trial received an initial dose of 8,000 IU of vitamin D per day for 2 weeks, followed by 4,000 IU per day.
The low dose group received a standard daily dose of 400 IU per day.
All the patients also received standard oncological therapy.
The survival time without cancer progression of the high-dose group was 31 percent better compared to the low-dose group.
Furthermore, high-dose vitamin D did not show any toxicity or side effect. But it did appear to decrease the toxic side effects of standard oncological therapy.
Higher-risk patients do better than low-risk patients — after taking vitamin D
The clinical trial attempted to match the high-dose and the low-dose groups. But patients in the high-dose group were at higher risk in terms of their clinical performance status for withstanding cancer treatments. Oncology treatments are so toxic that oncologists rate their patients regarding their ability to withstand the treatments.
So — in this study, only 42 percent of the high-dose group had the “best possible performance status” for treatment. By comparison, 60 percent of the low-dose group had the best possible status.
Basically, it means the high-dose group was initially evaluated as being less fit and healthy than the low-dose group. Nonetheless, more high-dose patients could eventually withstand surgery following chemotherapy compared to the low-dose group.
Because most of the patients in the study lived in New England, the researchers believed that most were probably deficient or insufficient in vitamin D to begin with, since there is less vitamin-D-activating sunshine during much of the year there. Furthermore, the low dose of only 400 IU would not have been sufficient to restore vitamin D levels.
Of course, at this time of year the sun is high enough in the sky to activate vitamin D production from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. everywhere in the U.S. So — take advantage of the weather and get at least 15 minutes of sunshine each day, without sunscreen. If you gradually increase your sun exposure by 15 minutes per day, you’ll develop a safe and painless tan in addition to naturally increasing your vitamin D levels. And you won’t have to bother with those ridiculous, toxic sunscreens.
I can practically hear the collective horrified gasp from the legions of photophobic dermatologists in response to that recommendation.
And after having endured decades of their relentless warnings to stay out of the sun, perhaps you’re wondering, “But what about skin cancer?”
Well, the simple fact is, sun exposure isn’t actually the cause of the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Unraveling the melanoma-sun exposure connection
We now know what caused the increase in deadly melanoma skin cancer observed in recent decades. It was not due to sun exposure. It was not due to “sunscreen deficiency.” And it was not due to anything that adults do at all, in the sun, without their clothes on.
A new French (wouldn’t you know) statistical analysis clearly links the rise in melanoma death rates to an outdated medical practice used during the early 20th century. This practice, discontinued by the 1950s, involved exposing children to extensive ultraviolet radiation for supposed health benefits. French researchers found it caused the spike in melanoma rates we now see in older adults.
In fact, this new French analysis explains why melanoma rates are flattening out among people 50 to 69 years, and decreasing in people younger than 50 (who got more sun on more exposed skin before sunscreens took over). The remaining worry is with artificial tanning beds, particularly popular among young women, at a time when they are most vulnerable.
In the end, there is no substitute for “good old sol.” But you can — and should — always keep your vitamin D at optimal levels by taking 10,000 IU of vitamin D per day, which you can get in convenient liquid form.
For more information on preventing, detecting, and even reversing colon cancer, skin cancer, and other types of cancer with safe, natural methods, refer to my new Authentic Anti-Cancer Protocol. You can learn more about it or enroll today by clicking here.
Source:
“Analysis of serum vitamin D levels and prognosis in stage III colon carcinoma patients treated with adjuvant FOLFOX+/- cetuximab chemotherapy: NCCTG N0147 (Alliance),”American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (www.abstracts.asco.org) 6/3/2017