Nutrients that prevent Cancer

Vitamin DFat-soluble vitaminSources FoodsNaturally found in very few foodsAdded to many foods on the marketSupplementsSunlight

Vitamin DDaily Recommended IntakeCurrent minimum intake recommendationsBirth-50 years = 200 IU51-70 years = 400 IU71+ years = 600 IUCurrently being debated

Food Sources of Vitamin D 3 oz smoked salmon = 583 IU

3 oz light tuna, canned in oil = 229 IU

1 large, whole egg = 29 IU

Foods Fortified with Vitamin D8 oz skim milk = 115 IU

8 oz orange juice = 100 IU

1 cup Cheerios = 40 IU cup yogurt = 40 IU

CalciumEssential mineralDaily Recommended Intakes9-18 years = 1300 mg 19-50 years = 1000 mg 51 years and older =1200 mg

CalciumSources in the dietMilkYogurtCheeseDark green vegetablesFortified sourcesCerealsBreadOrange Juice

Calcium content of foods8 oz milk = 300 mg

8 oz low-fat yogurt= 230 mg

cup cooked Spinach = 120 mg

1 cup Cheerios = 100 mg

Dietary SupplementsCalcium Carbonate or citrateDose dependent absorptionTwo doses per day

Vitamin DD2 or D3D3 is best

A single serving = 1 cup

1 serving has 100 calories

10% Daily Value of calcium 1000mg * 0.10 = 100mg

10% Daily Value of vitamin D 400IU * 0.10 = 40 IUhttp://www.fda.gov

Vitamin D FunctionsMany uses in the bodyPromotes absorption of calcium from the small intestineMaintain blood levels of calcium and phosphate for bone formation, mineralization, growth, and repairImproves muscle strength and immune functionReduces inflammation

Vitamin D DeficiencyAt risk populationsBreastfed infantsOlder adultsPeople with limited sun exposureDarker skin pigmentsCertain religious groups

Vitamin D Related DiseasesRicketsOsteomalaciaOsteoporosis

Calcium FunctionsMajor component of bones and teeth

A small amount of calcium circulates in the bloodEssential for clotting of the bloodAids in the normal functioning of the nerves, muscles, and heart

Calcium DeficiencyAt risk populationsChildren and youthPost-menopausal womenElderlyPeople with poor diets, lacking in dairy foods

Vitamin D and CancerRoles in prevention ofColon cancerBreast cancer

Vitamin D and CancerHow it preventsPromotes cellular differentiationDecreases cancer cell growthStimulates cell deaths

Vitamin D Cancer ResearchMostly observational studies, only show correlationFood frequency questionnairesInterviewsDiet records

Vitamin D & Colon Cancer ResearchThird National Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyEpidemiologic study16,818 participantsExamined blood levels of vitamin DResultsBlood levels 80nmol/L or higher reduced risk by 72%

Vitamin D Cancer ResearchAmerican Cancer Societys Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition CohortStudied 120,000 men and womenAnalyzed diet, medical history, and lifestyleResultsMen with intakes of 520 IU or higher from both diet and supplementation slightly lowered riskNo effect in women

Vitamin D & Breast Cancer ResearchCancer Prevention Study II Nutrition CohortParticipants68,567 postmenopausal womenCompleted questionnaire on dietary intake, family history, and supplement useResultsWomen who consumed higher amounts of vitamin D and calcium from dairy products reduced their risk of breast cancer

True or False. Vitamin D is not necessary for Calcium to be absorbed in the body.

True or False. Vitamin D is not necessary for Calcium to be absorbed by the body.

Calcium and CancerRoles in prevention of:Colon cancerBreast cancerPremenopausal women

Calcium and CancerHow it prevents cancerExact mechanism is unclearBiochemical levelCalcium binds to bile acids and fatty acids in the gastrointestinal tract to form insoluble complexesReduces the ability of the acids to damage cells in the lining of the colon and act directly in reducing cell proliferation in the lining of the colon

Calcium and Colon Cancer ResearchNurses Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up studyAnalyzed 135,000 men and womenResultsPeople who consumed 700mg or more per day reduced risk by 35-45%Effect was only recognized in distal area of colon

Calcium & Colon Cancer ResearchNational Institutes of Health-American Association of Retired Persons Diet and Health StudyResultsHigh intakes of total calcium, dietary calcium, and calcium supplements lowered the risk of colon cancer 20% among men30% among women

Calcium & Colon Cancer ResearchStudy in Iowa34,000 women participatedTwo groupsIntakes of 1280mg or more per dayIntakes of 800mg or less per dayCalcium intake from both diet and supplementsResults41% reduction in colon cancer risk associated with higher intake

Calcium and Breast Cancer PreventionNurses Health Study3,000 womenCalcium intakes 800 mg or more per dayParticularly from dairy productsLow-fat or non-fat milkYogurtCheeseCompared to intakes of 200 mg or less from dairyResultsReduced risk in premenopausal women but NOT postmenopausal.

Calcium and Breast Cancer PreventionWomens Health Study30,000 women Two groups:Intakes1366mg or more per dayIntakes less than 617mg per dayResultsReduced risk in increased intake of calciumOnly in premenopausal women

What have we learned?Vitamin D and calcium both plays roles in preventing cancerThe recommended intakesCalcium = 1000mgVitamin D = 400 IUMany ways to increase intakeChange dietInclude supplements

This presentation will cover information about vitamin D and calcium and the role these nutrients play in cancer prevention.*Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that it can only be absorbed with fat. Vitamin D is not found in many foods. In fact, it is can be difficult to obtain required amounts of vitamin D from foods. Foods that naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D are fatty fish and eggs. To increase intake of vitamin D, foods have been fortified. Milk is the most commonly consumed products that are fortified with vitamin D. Juices, breakfast cereals, breads, and yogurt are also fortified with vitamin D.

Dietary supplements are also consumed by many individuals to meet the daily requirements of vitamin D, there are many forms of supplements and I will discuss these later. Cholecalciferol is a form of vitamin D made naturally by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. However, most people do not get enough sunlight to satisfy their daily recommended intake through sunlight, especially in the winter. *Recommended daily intakes are given in International Units which is abbreviated IU. One IU is equal to 40 micrograms. The recommendations are 200 IU from birth to 50 years of age, 400 IUs from 51-70 years age, and 600 IUs for 71+ years of age. These recommendations meet the minimum requirements, mostly based on bone health. Currently there is debate within the medical community about the daily recommended intake for vitamin D. The debate is about whether or not the current amounts are adequate for all of the functions vitamin D plays in the body. Current research suggests consuming amounts closer to 1000 IU may be needed to obtain all the potential benefits of vitamin D. *Some examples of vitamin D content in foods are shown here. Fish, including salmon and tuna are excellent sources. Egg also contains vitamin D, the highest concentration is in the yolk. Other good food sources include3 oz Beef Liver which contains 42 IU, and 3 oz Pork spareribs which contains 88 IU

*Some foods that are fortified with vitamin D are shown here. An 8 ounce glass of milk will contain 115 IU, and 8 ounces of fortified orange juice 100 IU of vitamin D. Cheerios are a good source, as are other fortified breakfast cereals. Yogurt is another dairy product that also provides vitamin D.

*Turning attention now to calcium. Calcium is an essential mineral which must be consumed in the diet. The Daily Recommended intakes for calcium are highest during the peak ages of bone growth between 9 and 18 years of age. The recommended intakes remain fairly high throughout the rest of life, 1000 mg for 19-50 years of age and then 1200 mg for 51 or older. *Calcium rich foods include dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese, and dark green vegetables. The calcium found in dairy foods is very well absorbed, whereas calcium in vegetables is poorly absorbed.. Obtaining adequate dietary calcium may be a challenge for persons who do not regularly consume dairy foods, and there is substantial evidence that calcium intake is inadequate for many people. For this reason, many foods today have been fortified with calcium. Cereals, breads, orange juice and other foods can be found with added calcium. *Milk and dairy are the riches sources of calcium. A glass of milk provides 300 mg and a container of yogurt 230 mg of calcium. Spinach and fortified cereals also contribute to calcium intakes. *Because vitamin D and calcium are important nutrients, and they can be challenging to obtain from foods, there are many different forms of dietary supplements on the market. If you choose to use a supplement, it is important to understand the different types. Both vitamin D and calcium are available in different forms and a wide range of amounts. Many supplements contain both calcium and vitamin D because vitamin D assists in the absorption of calcium.

The two main forms of calcium in supplements are carbonate and citrate. Calcium carbonate is more commonly available and inexpensive. Both forms are absorbed well by the body, but individuals with low levels of stomach acid may absorb citrate better. Carbonate is absorbed better when taken with food but citrate is unaffected by the presence of food. The percentage of calcium absorbed depends on the amount of calcium consumed. As the amount increases, the percent absorption decreases. It is recommended that rather taking one 1,000 mg supplement, take 2 500 mg supplements several hours apart. Some individuals who take calcium supplements might experience gas, bloating, or constipation but these symptoms can often be reduced by spreading out the calcium dose throughout the day, taking the supplement with meals, or changing the brand of supplement used.

There are two forms available for vitamin D supplements, D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is made by the conversion of a sterol found in plants and yeast. Vitamin D3 is the form that is produced naturally in human skin exposed to ultraviolet B light and occurs in some animal products, such as cod liver oil, and, in smaller amounts, in other fatty fish such as sardines and tuna. Vitamin D3 is the most common form used in dietary supplements and fortified foods such as milk.

Unlike calcium these two forms are not equal in absorption. Vitamin D3 is metabolized differently than D2 and research shows it is more effective in raising serum concentrations of the active form of vitamin D and is also able to maintain higher levels for longer. More research is needed in this area, but many companies are switching from D2 to D3 to gain greater benefits from their supplements.

*Lets take a minute to understand how to calculate the amount of vitamin D and calcium provided in a food from the nutrition label.

One serving of Cheerios is equal to 1 cup of cereal. The nutrition label includes data for cereal alone and for the cereal with cup of skim milk because it is typically consumed with milk. So be sure to understand which column you are reading. One serving of cereal alone has 100 calories.

The cereal provides 10% of our Daily Value (DV) of calcium. In order to determine how many mg of calcium that provides, you need to know that the DV for calcium is 1000 mg. Once you have that information, you can calculate how many mg in the serving by multplying 1000 mg by 0.10 (10%). The result is 100 mg of calcium per serving of Cheerios.

Similarly, a single serving of Cheerios provides 10% of your Daily Value of vitamin D. The DV for vitamin D is 400 IU. To calculate the amount in a serving, multiply 400 by 0.10 (10%). The result is 40 IU of vitamin D per serving.

To find a full list of DV for all nutrients you can go to the FDA website shown on the slide and search for Daily Values.

*Vitamin D plays important roles in many process throughout the body. Probably the most well understood function that Vitamin D has is in the absorption of calcium from the small intestine. When vitamin D is inadequate calcium from the diet is poorly absorbed. Another well characterized and important role of vitamin D is to maintain appropriate levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood to ensure proper bone formation, mineralization, growth, and repair. Vitamin D has other roles that have been less well characterized. It is thought to improve muscle strength and immune function and reduce inflammation. *People at risk for vitamin D deficiency include breastfed infants, older adults, people with limited sun exposure, people with dark skin, and people with fat malabsorption. People age 50 and older are at increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiency because as they age the skin looses its ability to synthesize vitamin D as efficiently and the kidneys also convert less to its active form. People living in the northern latitudes, homebound individuals, and women who wear long robes and head coverings for religious reasons may also not obtain adequate levels of vitamin D from sunlight. People with darker skin have more pigment melanin which reduces the skins ability to produce vitamin D after sun exposure.

*Prolonged inadequate intake of vitamin D will lead to impaired bone metabolism. In children, under mineralization of bone causes soft and deformed bones and can lead to the condition known as rickets. Rickets is rare in the US today, but was fairly common as recently as 100 years ago. When children developed rickets, their legs were too weak to hold their weight, resulting in bowed legs, which often persisted into adulthood. Osteomalacia is the adult form of rickets, and leads to impaired mobility and bone fractures. And osteoporosis, a condition that leads to weak and porous bones.

*Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. There are two major roles for calcium. By far the majority of calcium found in the body is stored in bones and teeth providing structural support. However, this is a very small and tightly controlled amount of calcium that circulates in the blood. This calcium is equired for muscles to contract, blood vessels to expand and contract, secretion of hormones and enzymes, and transmission of impulses throughout the nervous system. All these functions are supported with less than 1% of the total body calcium. *A wide rang of people may be at risk for calcium deficiency. Children and youth require adequate amounts of calcium to ensure proper bone development. Consumption of dairy products, particularly milk, during these developmental years is of great importance. As adults, bone mineral loss begins to exceed accumulation in the natural aging process. Postmenopausal women and the elderly can become at risk of calcium deficiency associated with bone loss. People with poor diets, particularly lacking in dairy foods due to lactose intolerance or vegetarianism may also be at risk for calcium deficiency. If dairy foods are not tolerated, calcium supplements should be considered at any age.*There is recent evidence that adequate levels of vitamin D in the diet may play a role in the prevention of certain cancers. Thus far, the best studied role for vitamin D has been found in cancers of the colon and breast. In general, vitamin D plays a role in maintaining healthy cells, and when vitamin D levels are low these protective effects may be compromised.*Early studies that correlated cancer incidence with sun exposure rates in populations began the search for a role for vitamin D in cancer.This map illustrates the colon cancer mortality rates in men throughout the United States. Areas shown in red have the highest colon cancer mortalities, while those in blue have the lowest. It is fairly clear that states in the north and eastern parts of the US, those with the longest winters, have the higher colon cancer mortality rates.

Vitamin D may have a role in cancer prevention. The graph above came from an epidemiologic study and shows geographic correlation. An inverse relationship was found between sunlight exposure levels and the rates of incidence and death for certain cancers. Individuals living in northern latitudes were found to have higher rates of incidence and death for these cancers than those living at southern latitudes. The researchers hypothesize that this is because UVB rays from sunlight are necessary to synthesize vitamin D.*This map illustrates the mortality of white females due to breast cancer from 1970-1994. As shown here, there is a correlation between the northern, northeastern, and some western states and increased rates of breast cancer. Again, areas shown in red have the highest breast cancer mortalities, while those in blue have the lowest. Most of the southern states are bright blue suggesting much lower incidence of breast cancer. The graph above came from the same epidemiologic study as shown on the previous slide, and again shows the geographic correlation. An inverse relationship was found between sunlight exposure levels and the rates of incidence and death for certain cancers.

*The exact role of vitamin D in cancer prevention is still unclear, however researchers know that vitamin D plays and integral role in cellular differentiation. Increased levels of vitamin D decrease the growth of cancer cells and stimulates cell death.*Most Vitamin D cancer research that has been done is observational and more epidemiological studies are needed to support the findings that have been made. Observational studies include things like food frequency questionnaires, interviews, and recording dietary intakes which are all subject to a large amount of misinformation and error. Epidemiological studies are aimed, where possible, at revealing unbiased relationships betweenexposures such as biological agents, stress, or chemicals to mortality or morbidity. In this case epidemiological studies would be searching for the link between Vitamin D and cancer mortality and/or morbidity. The identification of causal relationships between these exposures and outcomes is an important aspect of epidemiology. Lets take a look at some of the research that has been done.

*The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey published in _______ by _________ is one of very few epidemiologic studies on vitamin D and colon cancer. The researchers looked at 16, 818 participants and examined blood levels of vitamin D. Individuals with blood levels of 80 nmol/L or higher of vitamin D reduced their risk of colon cancer by 72% compared to individuals with blood levels below 50 nmol/L.*The American Cancer Societys Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort published in _______ by ________ showed a slightly lower risk of colorectal cancer in men but the women in the study did not show this same effect. This group of researchers studied a group of 120,000 men and women and analyzed their diet, medical history, and lifestyle. The study found that men with intakes of 520 IU or higher of vitamin D through their combined diet and supplementation had a slightly lower risk of colon cancer.

*In the same study of the American Cancer Society on Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort, researchers also singled out postmenopausal women who had no family history of breast cancer. These 68,567 women were then given a questionnaire on dietary intake, medical history, and supplement use. Researchers looked specifically at calcium, vitamin D, and dairy consumption in their diets. The study concluded that women who consumed higher amounts of calcium and vitamin D from dairy sources decreased their risk of breast cancer.*Take a moment to answer this question. True or False. Vitamin D is not necessary for Calcium to be absorbed in the body.*The answer is false. Vitamin D is necessary for calcium to be absorbed by the body as it aids in absorption of calcium from the small intestine and it also helps maintain blood calcium levels.

*In research studies, calcium has been shown to play a preventative role in colon cancer and breast cancer, especially breast cancer in pre-menopausal women.*The exact mechanism by which calcium prevents cancer is unclear. At the biochemical level it is clear that calcium binds to both bile and fatty acids in the gastrointestinal tract to form insoluble complexes. Because the calcium is bound to the acids, it reduces the ability of the acids to damage cells located in the lining of the colon. Calcium also acts directly in reducing cell proliferation in the lining of the colon. Both mechanisms are thought to contribute to calciums prevention of cancer.*A strong relationship between calcium intake and colorectal cancer risk was found in the participants of the Nurses Health Study and Healthy Professionals Follow-up study conducted by _________ and published in _______. In this study, researchers analyzed 135,000 men and women and found that the people who consumed 700 mg of calcium per day reduced their risk of colorectal cancer by 35-45% when compared to people with intakes of 500 mg of calcium per day or less. This effect was only recognized in the distal area of the colon, and intakes showed no effect on the proximal colon.

*Another study done by the National Institutes of Health-American Association of Retired Persons Diet and Health Study which was published in _______ by ________, showed that high intakes of total calcium, dietary calcium, and calcium supplements were associated with 20% lower risk of colorectal cancer among men and 30% lower risk among women.

*A study published in ______ by _______examined women living in Iowa. This study compared 34,000 women divided into two groups. One group consumed approximately 1280mg of calcium or more a day and was compared to a second group of women with calcium intakes of 800 mg per day or less. Total intakes in the two groups were from both diet and supplements. The group of women who consumed the higher intake of calcium (1280mg) were associated with a 41% reduction in colon cancer risk while the group of women which consumed calcium intakes of 800mg or less per day showed no reduction in colon cancer risk. *The Nurses Health Study published in _________ by _______ included 3,000 women and concluded higher calcium intakes of more than 800 mg per day reduced the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. The study compared two groups of women where one group consumed a higher amount of calcium of 800mg/day or more and the second group of women consumed a lower amount of calcium of 200mg/day or less. The group of women with the higher calcium intakes consumed calcium specifically from dairy products and in particular low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. The researchers concluded that increased calcium intake (800mg/day) from dairy sources reduced the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women but NOT in postmenopausal women.*Another analysis that involved more than 30,000 women was the Womens Health Study which was published in ______ by _______. This study again compared two groups of women. One group contained women who consumed 1366mg of calcium or more per day and the second group consumed 617mg of calcium or less per day. Results of the study found a reduced risk of breast cancer was associated with the group of women with the higher calcium intake when compared to the group with the lower intakes. This study also only saw the reduced risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. *Throughout this presentation, you have learned how vitamin D and calcium both play roles in cancer prevention. The recommended intake for calcium is 1000mg per day which is based on the research that this amount is enough to reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer in premenopausal women. The recommended intake for vitamin D is 400 IU, however this value is under debate. As research shows, much higher levels of vitamin D are necessary to achieve the cancer prevention benefits.

There are many ways to incorporate both calcium and vitamin D into your diet. Vitamin D can be consumed naturally in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon, and in eggs. Many cereals and milk products are also good sources of vitamin D due to fortification. Calcium rich foods include milk, yogurt, and cheese, but remember to choose low fat varieties of each of these products. Dark green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale are also rich in calcium. Many foods on the market today are also fortified with both calcium and vitamin D such as fruit juices and most breakfast cereals. By modifying your diet to include more foods that contain vitamin D and calcium you may also be reducing your risk for certain cancers as shown during this presentation. If reaching the recommended intakes of both vitamin D and calcium through foods alone is not possible, your daily requirements can be obtained with the use of dietary supplements. *