A new study reveals that men with vitamin D deficiency are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer

A new study finds a major association between low level of Vitamin D and the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. This breakthrough is important because it can help men and their physicians weigh down their option to either supervise cancer cells or remove the prostate, EurekAlert reported.

Per UPI, the new findings confirmed previous research results where they observed more aggressive tumors among patients with low levels of vitamin D. However, the recent study has more evidence.

New Study

For the recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Northwestern University researchers recruited 190 men with prostate cancer between 2009 and 2014, who opted to have their prostates removed. During the study, they realized that 45.8 of the sample had more aggressive prostate cancer. The same men also suffered from a vitamin D deficiency. They had the condition before they underwent surgery.

"Vitamin D deficiency may predict aggressive prostate cancer as a biomarker," lead author Dr. Adam Murphy concluded in a Northwestern press release. "Men with dark skin, low vitamin D intake or low sun exposure should be tested for vitamin D deficiency when they are diagnosed with an elevated PSA or prostate cancer. Then a deficiency should be corrected with supplements," he added.

Murphy is encouraging men to refill their vitamin D levels.

How to Improve Vitamin D Levels

1) Go under the Sun -- Sun is the most abundant source of vitamin D but how long and when is the best time to go under the sun? Dr. Andrew Weil said that according to a new study, the best time to get vitamin D is around noon. At this time, the wavelengths are shorter and are positioned at a more indirect angle. Solar exposure should only be 10 to 15 minutes.

2) Eat fatty fish -- Per Health, this type of fish is a good way to keep yourself away from a vitamin D deficiency. A 3-ounce of salmon fillet comes with 450 IUs of vitamin D, which is over 50 percent of the daily recommended dietary allowance. In addition, eating fish is also beneficial for cardiovascular health.

3) Drink Fortified Milk -- You will get at least 100 IUs of vitamin D in an 8-ounce glass of milk. If you are not a fan of milk but love yogurt, you can consume yogurt instead. A 6-ounce serving of yogurt offers 80 IUs of vitamin D.