Study finds vitamin D may cut risk of colorectal cancer

NEW YORK Vitamin D may improve bone health, but it also may lower one's risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study.

The study, published in the Jan. 21 online edition of BMJ, surveyed more than 520,000 people in 10 Western European countries, all of whom provided blood samples and filled out diet and lifestyle questionnaires between 1992 and 1998. During the follow-up, 1,248 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, who were compared with the same sample size of those not diagnosed with the disease.

The scientists also noted that participants with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood had as much as a 40% lower risk for developing colorectal cancer than those with the lowest levels, though they pointed out it is unclear whether or not consuming large amounts of vitamin D poses a risk on one's overall health.