Study Shows That Vitamin D Can Help Breast Cancer Patients Respond Better to Chemotherapy
What the Study Was About
A new clinical study looked at whether taking vitamin D every day could help women with breast cancer respond better to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy given before surgery is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy (or NCT), and it helps shrink tumors. Doctors wanted to know if vitamin D could improve a woman’s chance of having a pathological complete response—which means no signs of cancer are found in the breast or lymph nodes after treatment.
Who Was in the Study?
The study included 80 women, all aged 45 or older, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and were getting ready to start chemotherapy. These women were split into two groups:
One group took 2,000 IU of vitamin D (also called cholecalciferol) every day for 6 months.
The other group took a placebo (a fake pill with no active ingredients) for the same amount of time.
What Did the Researchers Measure?
Doctors measured each woman’s vitamin D levels at the start of the study and again after the chemotherapy was finished. They also checked to see how many women had a complete response to the treatment.
What They Found
At the beginning, both groups had low levels of vitamin D—a common issue for many people. But after 6 months:
Women who took vitamin D had higher vitamin D levels than those who didn’t.
The group taking vitamin D also had a higher rate of complete response to chemotherapy (43%) compared to the placebo group (24%).
This means women who took vitamin D were more likely to have no cancer left in their breast or lymph nodes after chemo.
Why This Matters
This study suggests that keeping your vitamin D levels up during chemotherapy could make your treatment more effective. It’s not a cure, and it doesn’t replace other treatments—but it might be a helpful addition to your care plan.
Talk to Your Doctor First
If you or a loved one is going through breast cancer treatment, don’t start supplements without checking with your doctor. While vitamin D is generally safe, too much can cause problems, and not everyone needs the same amount.
Final Thoughts
This research gives hope that something as simple as vitamin D—something our bodies need anyway—could support cancer treatment. More studies are needed, but it’s a promising step forward.
Reference
For more information on how HuMOLYTE can support your gut health during chemotherapy, visit our product page or consult your health care provider.
This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
