Study: Vitamin D, Fiber Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk

A new study involving more than 3,000 veterans at 13 VA medical centers provides what may be the strongest evidence to date that vitamin D and fiber may help prevent colorectal cancer.

In the study, men who consumed about 4 grams a day of cereal fiber along with a daily supplement of vitamin D were significantly less likely to develop the serious colon polyps which often are a precursor to cancer.

"The finding that may surprise the scientific community is the vitamin D data," said Dr. David Lieberman, chief of gastroenterology at the Portland VA Medical Center. "Higher levels of Vitamin D intake were associated with a lower risk of serious colon polyps. There have been some studies suggesting this, but our data are compelling."

Men who took a daily aspirin also had a significantly lower risk of developing colorectal cancer, the researchers reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

On the other hand, smokers were almost twice as likely to have a tumor or polyp as non-smokers, the researchers said. They said the risk for smokers even outweighed that of individuals who have close family members with colorectal cancer.

Lieberman said the study findings suggest that relatively simple steps can help prevent colorectal cancer.

SStop smoking, reduce alcohol and red meat consumption, take a multivitamin, exercise regularly and consume vitamin D, calcium and cereal fiber in your diet," he concluded.

Other sources: Journal of the American Medical Association