Oct 18, 2015 09:37 AM EDT By Rashmi Kalia, UniversityHerald Reporter

A new study, which was published in the New England journal of Medicine, has suggested that taking vitamin D, calcium, or a combination of the two supplements, does not prevent the recurrence of precancerous colorectal polyps, KRWG News22 reports.

Vitamin D and calcium supplements have been used for a very long time to prevent colon cancer.

Studies have suggested that the risk for developing colorectal cancer can be reduced by having a low-fat, high-fiber diet, doing regular exercise and avoiding alcohol consumption.

For the study, the researchers studied 2,259 people between the ages of 45 and 75, and who have undergone surgery to remove at least one adenoma. The participants were asked to take pills of 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 1,000 IU of vitamin D, both or not at all. The trial followed patients for up to 5 years.

The results showed that taking vitamin D, calcium, or a combination of the two supplements, failed to prevent the recurrence of precancerous colorectal polyps.

In the next stage of the study, the researchers studied participants who had undergone colonoscopy after 3 to 5 years. It was found that a new polyp developed in 43 to 45 percent of the participants regardless of whether they had taken the supplement or not.

 "There is mounting evidence that vitamin D does not prevent cancer," said Barnett Kramer, director of the division of cancer prevention at the National Cancer Institute.

The researchers also said vitamin D does not prevent advanced stages of colon cancer.

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