A new study carried out by the German researchers revealed that maintaining higher levels of Vitamin D in the blood may raise the chances of cancer patients’ survival.

The study analyzed 3,299 patients having the risk of death from fatal cancer. However, the higher levels of Vitamin D reduced their chances of death by 55 percent in patients.

The results of the study were released in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

The previous studies suggested that high levels of vitamin D dramatically lessen the risk of growth of several cancers such as breast cancer, which can be prevented by as much as 70 percent.

The Canadian Cancer Society has already recommended for the supplementation of 1,000 IU/day vitamin D for all adults in winter and for persons who have high risk of vitamin D deficiency all year round.  

The US medical organization has not made such recommendation.

In the study, Stefan Pilz from University of Heidelberg and his group assessed blood levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25-(OH)2D in the blood of participants who were examined for 7.75 years and 95 died from cancers such as cancers in the lung, colon and pancreas.

After considering the potential confusing factors, the study researchers discovered that people having the highest level of 25(OH)D (76.3 nanomoles per liter) were 55 percent less likely to die from deadly cancer as compared to those who had the lowest levels (18.1 nanomples per liter).

For an increase of 25 nmol/L in 25(OH)D, the risk of death due to cancers was reduced by a 34 percent. But no connection was detected between 1,25(OH)2D and cancer risk.

The recent advice for daily intake of vitamin D is very low ranging from 200 to 400 IU depending upon age.

Specialists have recommended that in order to have an anticancer effect, the Vitamin D level should be increased to 1,000 IU per day.   Generally, daily intake of vitamin 10,000 IU is considered safe.