The role of calcium and vitamin D in the prevention of colorectal cancer

Czech version

Authors: P. Minárik ^1,2; P. Mlkvý ³
Authors‘ workplace: Oddelenie gastroenterológie, Onkologický ústav sv. Alžbety, s. r. o., Bratislava, Slovenská republika ¹; Vysoká škola zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce sv. Alžbety, Bratislava, Slovenská republika ²; Oddelenie laserovej medicíny, Onkologický ústav sv. Alžbety, s. r. o., Bratislava, Slovenská republika ³
Published in: Gastroent Hepatol 2016; 70(2): 157-171
Category: Gastrointestinal Oncology: Review Article
doi: https://doi.org/10.14735/amgh2016csgh.info03

Overview

Calcium is an important nutrient for bone and dental health and, in the European region, milk together with dairy products are the main source of calcium. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the world‘s third most common cancer. In recent years, sufficient evidence has accumulated to show that calcium and vitamin D have antineoplastic effects in colon cancer. Consistent evidence from existing studies suggests that both calcium and milk probably protect against CRC. Calcium supplementation probably protects against CRC as well. On the other hand, there is currently limited evidence to suggest that cheese increases the risk of CRC. Dietary supplements containing calcium are indicated as an alternative source of calcium for people who, for whatever reason, are unable to obtain enough calcium from a normal diet. The main role of vitamin D is to ensure calcium and phosphate homeostasis, and is important for bone and dental health. A number of observational and epidemiological studies have been published in recent years confirming that vitamin D plays an active protective role in preventing the development of CRC, as well as cancers of the prostate, breast, ovary, and skin. Most of the evidence on the protective effects of vitamin D concern CRC. The status of vitamin D in the body is best expressed by the serum 25(OH)D vitamin level. Despite the strength of evidence showing that oral intake and synthesis of vitamin D reduce the risk of CRC incidence and mortality, health professionals at present do not recommend supplementation with vitamin D as a general measure for the prevention of malignancies, including CRC. There is still a lack of clear evidence from randomized, controlled intervention studies. Further prospective studies are needed to obtain more information about the causality of vitamin D and CRC, interactions between vitamin D and other protective nutrients, and other aspects of the preventive effects of vitamin D on colorectal cancer, as well as on other cancers.

Key words:
calcium – vitamin D – colorectal cancer – prevention – risk

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE „uniform requirements“ for biomedical papers.

Submitted:
1. 9. 2015

Accepted:
23. 10. 2015

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