Impact of vitamin d deficiency on cancer incidence and mortality among the elderly population: A systematic review

Abstract

Vitamin D plays a vital role in calcium and phosphate balance and bone structure. In recent times vitamin D deficiency has become a well-known epidemic. The current study shows vitamin D deficiency causes various types of cancer along with heart disease. The current diet has removed most of the best sources of vitamin D. Healthy bones and teeth need vitamin D. Most of the low-fat diets have removed vitamin D from the diet. Vitamin D has to be consumed with fatty meal. Food items such as dairy products are hardly fortified with vitamin D in India. Subclinical vitamin D deficiency is extremely prevalent in both urban and rural settings. In USA and Canada, in spite of having food fortification techniques still vitamin D deficiency prevails. In this paper various case studies related to vitamin D deficiency in relation to cancer have been reviewed. A proper diet to overcome this problem have been suggested along with some preventive measures.