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Vitamin D could be a surprise weapon against cancer, new research suggests.
A study of mice published in the journal Science last week found that eating a diet rich in vitamin D changed the gut microbiome in a way that boosted cancer immunity.
The micronutrient increased levels of the bacterium Bacteroides fragilis, which has been shown to improve cancer immune response.
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The mice that received vitamin D showed improved responses to cancer immunotherapy and greater immunity to new tumor development, according to researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Aalborg University in Denmark.
"What we’ve shown here came as a surprise — vitamin D can regulate the gut microbiome to favor a type of bacteria that gives mice better immunity to cancer," said senior study author Caetano Reis e Sousa, head of the Immunobiology Laboratory at Crick, in a press release.
Dietary vitamin D, found in foods including salmon, increased levels of the bacterium Bacteroides fragilis, which has been shown to improve cancer immune response. (iStock)
"This could one day be important for cancer treatment in humans."
The researchers aren’t yet sure why vitamin D seems to foster a "good" microbiome.
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"If we can answer this, we might uncover new ways in which the microbiome influences the immune system, potentially offering exciting possibilities in preventing or treating cancer," said co-author Evangelos Giampazolias, former postdoctoral researcher at the Crick and now group leader of the Cancer Immunosurveillance Group at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, in the release.
Previous studies have linked vitamin D to improved immunity against cancer. (iStock)
Shama Farooq, M.D., a neuro-oncologist at Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, was not involved in the study but shared his comments on the findings.
"As a doctor who treats patients with cancer, my initial reaction to this study was one of intrigue and optimism," she told Fox News Digital.
"The findings suggest a potential link between vitamin D levels, the microbiome and cancer immunity, offering potential new avenues for improving cancer treatment and prevention strategies."
Continued research into improving the body’s immunity against cancer is "crucial," Farooq noted.
"Cancer is a complex disease with diverse mechanisms of evasion," she said.
The micronutrient increased levels of the bacterium Bacteroides fragilis, which has been shown to improve cancer immune response. (iStock)
"By exploring new ways to boost the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells, researchers can develop more effective and targeted treatments, ultimately improving patient outcomes and survival rates."
Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, said that research into the gut microbiome is an "exciting new territory."
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"We are learning new things every day about how those bacteria impact our weight, hormones, immunity and even mental health," Freirich, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
"Deficient levels of vitamin D are known to impact immune function negatively. In lupus, for example, vitamin D levels below 50 ng/mL are linked with higher disease activity."
Even small amounts of sun exposure can be enough to maintain an adequate level of Vitamin D without skin damage, an expert said. (iStock)
Based on the findings of this study, Farooq said she recommends people make sure their vitamin D levels are adequate, "as part of a comprehensive approach to potentially lowering their risk of cancer."
"While more research is needed to fully understand the relationship, maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D is generally beneficial for overall health and may contribute to reducing cancer risk," she added.
Even small amounts of sun exposure can be enough to maintain an adequate level of Vitamin D without skin damage, according to Freirich.
"According to a study done in Valencia, Spain, people with lighter skin only need eight to 10 minutes of sun exposure at noon on their hands, face, neck and arms," she said.
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"However, in the winter time, the time of sun exposure required is nearly two hours. For many people who work inside, this may be difficult to achieve."
People should discuss with their doctor about the need to test vitamin D levels and explore whether supplementation is appropriate, Freirich advised.
Vitamin D has been linked to improved responses to cancer immunotherapy and greater immunity to new tumor development. (iStock)
Studies in humans are needed to learn more about the link between vitamin D and cancer immunity, the researchers acknowledged.
"More work is needed before we can conclusively say that correcting a vitamin D deficiency has benefits for cancer prevention or treatment," said Sousa.
Farooq echoed the need for more research.
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"Moving forward, I would like to see further research delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying the interaction between Vitamin D, the microbiome and cancer immunity," she said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.