In the latest setback to efforts on disease prevention through vitamin supplements, a major research determines that neither calcium pills nor vitamin D pills have any benefit to colon cancer patients who have had growths in the past.

With three previous studies suggesting that calcium could take colon cancer prevention by leaps and bounds, this latest finding is a definite disappointment. What surprised researchers was that data from the previous studies were strong.

The study, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, utilised a more rigorous test.  Yahoo News reports that the study had 2,259 subjects who recently underwent precancerous polyp removal during colonoscopy.  The subjects were assigned to take either  vitamin D3 (1,000 international units), calcium (1,200 milligrams), both vitamin D3 and calcium or neither one of these pills. The pills were provided by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. Women were allowed to choose to get calcium and then were given either a real or a dummy vitamin D pill.

Dr. John Baron of the University of North Carolina explained that this was done to help the female subjects who had concerns over the health of their bones to feel comfortable in participating in the study with the assurance that they were getting calcium throughout the process.

When the participants were followed up three to five years later, 43 to 45% developed a new polyp.  This was regardless of whether they were given calcium, vitamin D, both calcium and vitamin D or neither of these.  Even when the factors of age, gender and other influences were taken into account, the result of the use of these supplements remained the same.

Dr. Baron cites further that although higher doses of vitamin D may make a difference, a new study will need to be conducted.  The new study will have to test with an even higher level that surpasses the 600 IUs per day recommended by the Institute of Medicine.