Low levels of vitamin A may be associated with prostate cancer, according to a recent study published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research. British researchers from the University of York conducted laboratory trials which revealed a specific prostate cancer gene may be influenced by the body’s concentration of vitamin A, as reported by Medical News Today.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that there will be approximately 242,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S. Of those patients, more than 28,000 will die from the disease. Although it is typically diagnosed in older men, it may develop at any age.
The collected data from the study built the basis for researchers to begin observing the effects of retinoic acid therapy on affected patients. This treatment may force prostate cancer stem cells to morph into more specialized cells, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy. In addition, the method has previously been used successfully to combat leukemia.
Males who do not have prostate cancer may benefit from taking an all-natural supplement that is rich in vitamin A, such as Nutrina VitaMax made by Dr. Newton’s Naturals. The nutrient is important for vision, the immune system and fertility, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements.