High Vit. D Intake Doesn’t Stop Melanoma

OAKLAND, Calif.— Increased vitamin D intake is not protective against melanoma, and may actually increase the risk, according to the results of the largest prospective cohort study on the topic. They study (J Invest Dermatol. 2009 Feb 5) examined whether dietary and supplemental vitamin D intake was associated with melanoma risk among 68,611 men and women who were participants of the Vitamins and Lifestyle cohort study. Participants, who had an average age of 62, reported dietary vitamin D intake during the past year and 10-year use of multivitamin and individual vitamin D supplements. After follow-up, 455 incident melanomas were identified in the participants. A risk reduction of melanoma was not present in the those with the highest amount of vitamin D intake. In contrast, high dietary intake alone was associated with a slightly increased risk of melanoma.