Introduction:
Vitamin D is a steroid-like hormone primarily involved in calcium homeostasis in humans. Vitamin D is ingested in humans from sun exposure, food, and dietary supplements and is metabolized in the liver and kidneys to the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D). Cell types, including immune cells, express 1-α-hydroxylase and nuclear vitamin D receptors, which are required for vitamin D activation (2, 3). This extrarenal 25(OH)D activation and vitamin D receptor binding regulate transcription. This results in autocrine and paracrine effects that are biologically relevant to immune responses associated with infections and cancer, such as regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation.
What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a nutrient we ingest and a hormone our bodies produce. This fat-soluble vitamin has long been known to help the body absorb and store calcium and phosphorus. Both are essential for bone formation. Clinical studies have also shown that vitamin D can suppress the development and growth of cancer cells, help control infections, and reduce inflammation. Many organs and tissues in the body contain receptors for vitamin D, suggesting that vitamin D plays an important role beyond bone health, and scientists are actively exploring other possible roles.
Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium in the intestine and maintains adequate serum calcium and phosphate levels to allow for normal bone mineralization and hypocalcemic tetany (which causes spasms and convulsions). It also prevents involuntary muscle contractions. It is also required for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to brittle bones and changes in shape. Adequate vitamin D intake can prevent rickets (a condition affecting bone development in children) in children and osteomalacia (bone softening) in adults. Like calcium, vitamin D can help protect older people from osteoporosis.
What Are Some Great Natural Sources of Vitamin D?
The best vitamins for lymphoma are listed below:
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Salmon Fish: Wild salmon fish typically have more vitamin D than farmed salmon. Still, both are the best vitamins for lymphoma. Per 100 grams, farmed salmon contains about 66 percent of the daily requirement, and wild salmon contains up to 160 percent.
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Cod Liver Oil: It contains 450 international units (IU) of vitamin D per 4.9 milliliters or 56 percent of the daily requirement. In addition, it is rich in nutrients such as vitamin A and Omega-3 fatty acids.
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Canned Tuna Fish: A can of tuna fish contains 269 IU of vitamin D. Limit it to one serving per week to prevent the chance of methylmercury build-up.
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Egg Yolk: A commercial chicken egg contains about 37 IU of vitamin D per yolk. However, eggs from chickens raised outdoors and those fed vitamin D-fortified diets contain much higher vitamin D levels.
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Mushrooms: Mushrooms form vitamin D2 when exposed to UV (ultraviolet) light. Only wild mushrooms or mushrooms that have been exposed to UV light are the best vitamins for lymphoma.
What Is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a cancer that forms in infection-fighting cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. These cells are found in lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other body parts. In lymphoma, the lymphocytes change and grow out of control. There are two main types of lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma involve different types of lymphocytes. Different types of lymphomas grow at different rates and respond differently to treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Lymphoma?
Signs and symptoms of lymphoma may include the following:
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Painless swelling of lymph nodes is present in the armpits, neck, or groin.
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Persistent weakness.
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Night sweats.
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Unexplained weight loss.
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Itchy skin.
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Shortness of breath.
What Is the Role of Vitamin D in Lymphoma Treatment?
Vitamin D is a nutrient known for its health benefits and potential for preventing many types of cancer. One can be left wondering if there is a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and lymphoma development. The research still needs to be conclusive, but it suggests a possible link. In lymphoma patients, low vitamin D levels may lead to a poor prognosis in terms of both disease progression and overall survival. Additionally, a Wilmot Cancer Institute study found that patients with follicular lymphoma who had low vitamin D levels before starting treatment were likely to relapse early or die from the disease. Vitamin D supplementation may also help treat lymphoma. A study included patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma receiving Rituximab-based therapy. This study found that vitamin D supplementation increased participants' serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and improved health outcomes.
Should a Patient With Lymphoma Take Vitamin D Supplements?
Current research suggests that vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency may affect lymphoma outcomes. However, it is not yet known what other effects vitamin D supplementation may have on lymphoma patients. Many oncologists are reluctant to make comprehensive recommendations for vitamin D levels in lymphoma patients because they do not know exactly what impact these may have. Dietary supplements are great for informing patients of their impact on their particular case, so discussing them with the treating oncologist before starting any dietary supplement is important. Monitoring for vitamin D deficiency is only part of cancer care, and open discussion of personal concerns is the best way for patients and their doctors to agree on treatment goals.
Additionally, too much vitamin D poses risks. The Federal Dietary Supplements Administration warns that overdosing on Vitamin D can cause nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, dehydration, and kidney stones, among others. Vitamin D may also interact with some drugs.
How to Know Supplements Are Needed?
Studies indicate that inadequate or lacking vitamin D may affect lymphoma prognosis. However, what other effects vitamin D supplementation may have on lymphoma patients is still unknown. Many oncologists hesitate to give patients with lymphoma general recommendations on their vitamin D levels because they are still determining the potential effects.
Before beginning any supplements, it is crucial to speak with the oncologist because they are the ones who can best advise the patient on how they can impact the patient’s particular situation. The best approach for the patient and the doctor to agree on the treatment goals is to discuss the concerns openly. Monitoring a vitamin D deficiency is just one aspect of cancer therapy.
Conclusion:
In addition to its effect on calcium homeostasis, vitamin D has important immunological effects that may be a major mechanism of action in lymphomas, including Hodgkin's lymphoma. Studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency may affect lymphoma outcomes. However, it is still unclear what other effects vitamin D supplementation may have on lymphoma patients. Consider talking to the doctor about the vitamin D levels and whether it might benefit lymphoma prognosis by increasing vitamin D intake.
