Back in 1998, a group of researchers from Stanford University found that the calcitriol form of vitamin D (this is vitamin D2 – the synthetic version) slows the progression of prostate cancer. At the time, everyone thought these were great results. But there were a few problems. First, the supplement didn’t stop the cancer’s growth. It only slowed it down. And there were side effects. In fact, one participant dropped out of the study because of the side effects.

A new study from the University of Toronto shows that using the natural form of vitamin D (this is vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol) does even more to fight the disease. They followed 15 men with biopsy-proven prostate cancer for 21 months. All 15 had undergone surgery or radiation. And all 15 also had three progressive increases in PSA levels after their treatment. (PSA is the usual test measurement for prostate cancer.)

The researchers gave all the patients 2,000 units of cholecalciferol every day for up to 21 months. In the majority of the participants, their PSA levels stabilized. And in most of the men, the levels actually decreased. This suggests that their prostate cancer either started to regress or stopped progressing. What’s more, none of the men had any side effects of any kind.

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Better results and no side effects tells me the vitamin D3 is the only way to go. It’s possible these men could have had even better results if they had increased their dosage to 4,000 IU. Some doctors think this is too much. But research is showing that almost all of us are very deficient in vitamin D. Some people need to take 5,000 units or more (especially during the winter months when our bodies don’t produce as much vitamin D from the sun).

I personally think everyone should have their levels tested using the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. This is the most accurate measure of vitamin D stores in the body. This test easily determines if a patient has a deficiency or excess of vitamin D. Most doctors and labs should be able to perform this test.

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Most people need to take vitamin D supplements because so many of us work inside all day. The average level is around 40 ng/mls. Anything less than this level is a sign of deficiency. So take at least 2,000 IU daily to get your levels up. If you’re really low (under 20 ng/mls), you will need to double that dose (at least). You can find vitamin D3 in almost any health food store. Avoid vitamin D2. It’s not absorbed well and it can cause side effects.

(Dr. Bergeron is the director of the Covenant Health Clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about the clinic or to set up a phone consultation with Dr. Bergeron, please call 678-990-5401. You can also e-mail questions to Dr. Bergeron This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . He can’t respond to all the inquiries, but will answer as many as he can in these pages.)