Calcium and Vitamin D have been shown to be chemopreventive of colorectal cancer. This is a six-month study of humans with colorectal adenomatous polyps. Some of the polyps were removed. Some were left in place during the treatment period of calcium carbonate, 500 mg. three times a day and Vitamin D-3 400 IU daily, while other patients were on placebo. The remaining polyps were then removed for studies.
Treatment with calcium carbonate and vitamin D, even at low doses, resulted in histologic evidence of reduced overgrowth and several microscopic changes that were associated with reduced polyp formation. Adenomatous polyps are considered pre-cancerous.
CONCLUSION: This study shows that treatment with calcium carbonate and vitamin D may have the ability to reduce the growth of polyps and reduce the tendency for polyps to progress to cancer.
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PMID: 16353199.
Summary #022.
