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Myeloma and Vitamin D3
The issue of myeloma and vitamin D3 just got a bit more complicated based on the article below. I will explain why MM patients and survivors should add themselves to the list below of people who may benefit from vitamin D supplementation.
I am a MM survivor and MM cancer coach. Based on my experiences and the two articles below, the key is for NDMM patients to understand that there is a good chance that their vitamin D blood levels are low aka less than 30 ng/mL.
According to the last article linked below, less than 30 ng/mL predicts a poor outcome as a MM patient. In my head, it makes sense, therefore, to get your blood levels of vitamin D checked and supplement accordingly.
What are the pros and cons of supplementing with vitamin D3?
Pros
- Bone Health: Vitamin D3 helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It can prevent conditions like osteoporosis and rickets.
- Immune Support: Adequate levels of vitamin D3 can enhance the immune system, helping to protect against infections and diseases.
- Mood Regulation: Some studies suggest that vitamin D3 may help improve mood and reduce the risk of depression, possibly due to its role in regulating serotonin levels.
- Muscle Function: Vitamin D3 is important for muscle function and strength, potentially reducing the risk of falls and fractures in older adults.
- Chronic Disease Prevention: There is evidence suggesting that adequate vitamin D3 levels may lower the risk of certain chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and multiple sclerosis.
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: Vitamin D3 has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help manage autoimmune diseases and reduce inflammation in the body.
Cons
- Toxicity Risk: Excessive intake of vitamin D3 can lead to toxicity, causing hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood). Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, weakness, and serious complications like kidney damage.
- Interaction with Medications: Vitamin D3 supplements can interact with certain medications, such as steroids, weight loss drugs, and cholesterol-lowering agents, potentially reducing their effectiveness or causing adverse effects.
- Over-supplementation: Some individuals may take higher doses than recommended, thinking more is better, which can lead to negative health effects without additional benefits.
- Sunlight and Diet Consideration: Vitamin D3 can be synthesized by the body through exposure to sunlight and is present in some foods. Over-reliance on supplements might overshadow the importance of natural sources.
- Allergic Reactions: Though rare, some people may experience allergic reactions to vitamin D3 supplements, leading to symptoms like rash, itching, and swelling.
- Cost: Regular supplementation adds to the overall cost of healthcare, especially if dietary needs can be met through natural sources and lifestyle changes.
Are you a newly diagnosed MM patient? If you would like to learn more about managing your incurable blood cancer email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com
Thank you,
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
‘Don’t Screen’ for Vitamin D: New Endo Society Guideline
“New Endocrine Society guidelines call for limiting vitamin D supplementation beyond the daily recommended intake to specific risk groups and advises against routine 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] testing in healthy individuals…
The evidence-based document was presented on June 3, 2024 at the Endocrine Society annual meeting and simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. It advises that people who may benefit from vitamin D supplementation include:
- Children aged 1-18 years to prevent rickets and to potentially lower the risk for respiratory tract infections
- Pregnant people to lower the risk for maternal and fetal or neonatal complications
- Adults older than 75 years to lower the risk for mortality
- Adults with prediabetes to lower the risk for type 2 diabetes…
In contrast, the document advises against more vitamin D than the recommended daily intake for most healthier adults younger than 75 years and recommends against testing for blood vitamin D levels in the general population, including those with obesity or darker complexions...
(Ed. Note- when it comes of MM patients and survivors, I disagree with the two quotes below)
Pittas also noted, “there’s no single question and single answer about the role of vitamin D in health and disease, which is what people often want to know. There are many questions, and we cannot answer all of them.”
“When clinicians measure vitamin D, then they’re forced to make a decision what to do about it. That’s where questions about the levels come in. And that’s a big problem. So what the panel’s saying is, don’t screen…This really gets to the heart of the issue, because we have no data that there’s anything about screening that allows us to improve quality of life…Screening is probably not worthwhile in any age group.”
Taylor also raised the same point as an audience member did during the Q&A period regarding patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia. “The value and utility of the new guidelines would be greatly strengthened by providing guidance for how to approach this important and very large group of individuals…”
Vitamin D deficiency predicts for poor overall survival in white but not African American patients with multiple myeloma
“Vitamin D deficiency is a predictor for poor overall survival in patients with multiple myeloma, even after adjusting for age and stage…
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy affecting morbidity and mortality through damage to multiple organs, including bone lesions, renal dysfunction, anemia, and immunosuppression.
Osteoclasts in the bone marrow microenvironment play a key role in the pathophysiology of MM and associated bone disease and also affect overall outcome.1 Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health and affects osteoclast activity.2
Moreover, it decreases proinflammatory cytokines and reins in the negative pathological activation of Th17 cells,3 playing a significant role in MM’s pathophysiology.4
Recent studies suggest an important role of vitamin D in improving outcomes of patients with cancer.5 In MM specifically, several studies report a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with MM ranging from 24% (≤20 ng/mL) to 87% (≤30 ng/mL).6,7
However, the role of vitamin D in MM is not fully understood. Moreover, despite the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, screening for vitamin D levels is not part of the routine MM workup…8″