
Vitamin Linked to Cancer-Causing Hormone
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
Hormones.
We’ve all got them. And from time to time, we all suffer because of them.
Imbalanced hormones can lead to health issues like weight gain, hair loss, lack of energy, memory troubles and even mood swings.
But having an increased level of a certain hormone can lead to even more threatening health issues, like cancer.
And not just any cancer — breast cancer — which newly afflicts roughly 300,000 American men and women every year.
Fortunately, a common vitamin may help regulate this dangerous hormone and put your body back into balance.
Balancing Act
The cancer-causing hormone is estrogen, and it’s in everyone’s body.
For women, this chemical helps regulate reproductive functions and keep the body in balance. For men, estrogen impacts reproduction and sexual health.
Having too much estrogen increases risk of breast cancer for both sexes.
And being overweight is one of the top ways to raise estrogen in your body. It’s one of the many ways that carrying a few extra pounds can take a toll on your health.
But according to new research from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, there’s a common vitamin that can help reduce estrogen levels, even in folks who are overweight and obese — vitamin D.
[Editor’s note: Before we get into the details of this amazing study, I should mention that only female volunteers participated. This means that these results aren’t proven to translate to men, but it makes sense that vitamin D may have similar effects on estrogen in men. In other words, men shouldn’t skip taking vitamin D while waiting for more research to surface.]
For the study, scientists performed a yearlong, randomized, controlled clinical trial following 218 overweight and obese postmenopausal women who were vitamin D deficient at the beginning of the study.
The women were split into two groups. Half the women were taking 2,000 IUs of vitamin D supplements daily and the other half were given a placebo pill. All of the participants were also enrolled in a weight loss program.
At the end of the study, the researchers discovered that the women who raised their vitamin D levels the most also experienced a significant drop in estrogen levels.
And even after the scientists accounted for weight loss, the numbers remained true independent of pounds shed.
The scientists believe that being overweight or obese can lead to vitamin D deficiency because the nutrient is stored in fat. One theory suggests that as weight is lost, the trapped vitamin D is released from the tissue and into the bloodstream.
But losing weight is easier said than done and is often a long journey. And even if this theory is right, being at a healthy weight doesn’t guarantee that you’re safe from cancer-promoting estrogen.
That’s why the researchers believe that supplementing with vitamin D is a practical, affordable and safe alternative to prescription drugs.
Dr. Anne McTiernan, investigator in the Epidemiology Program of the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson, points this out in the paper:
Medications used to lower blood estrogens, such as aromatase inhibitors, reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women at increased risk, but those medications are expensive and can have adverse effects. So it’s important to identify other ways to safely lower blood estrogens for all women. We’ve shown in the past that weight loss significantly lowers blood estrogens. Now we know that vitamin D can add to that, but only if a woman takes enough of it to increase her vitamin D blood levels to a normal range.
Vitamin D Is Key to Prevention
Dr. McTiernan is right. Many estrogen-lowering drugs can have devastating side effects like osteoporosis, bone thinning and muscle and joint pain. Not to mention other long-term side effects remain unknown.
That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any medication or supplement. Have them explain all of the potential side effects before taking any medication, and always ask if there is a natural solution for your ailment.
Getting 15 minutes of direct sunlight every day is the best way to increase your vitamin D levels. However, this isn’t always an option. So supplementation is the next best way.
Vitamin D supplements work best in your body when they contain vitamin D’s natural form, which is called vitamin D3. So if you’re looking for a supplement, be sure it’s in this form.
As the study mentioned, vitamin D is absorbed in fat. This means getting a supplement that’s oil based will ensure you’re absorbing the vitamin. Also, look for a supplement that uses olive oil, instead of soybean oil, which is often a GMO ingredient.
And lastly, vitamin D3 pairs well with vitamin K2. K2 has been shown to suppress the growth of certain cancers. This means when you take these two powerhouse vitamins together, they give cancer a one-two punch.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics
[2] The Risk Factors for Male Breast Cancer
[4] High blood levels of vitamin D linked to reduced estrogen – and potentially lower breast cancer risk
[5] Aromatase inhibitors and other compounds for lowering breast cancer risk
[6] The Remarkable Anticancer Properties of Vitamin K
[7] Vitamin D and Cancer Prevention

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...