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Researchers have found that a high calcium intake, particularly from dairy products, may suppress blood levels of vitamin D. Besides serving as an important nutrient, vitamin D is a hormone that may protect against prostate cancer by preventing the proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

According to Dr. June M. Chan, the study's lead author, men who snack on milk, ice cream and cheese may have a greater risk of developing prostate cancer than their peers who consume less calcium from dairy products.

The study focused on nearly 21,000 men and it was revealed that those who consumed more than 600 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily from dairy products had a 32 percent higher risk of prostate cancer than men who consumed no more than 150 mg of calcium a day, over 11 years. Each additional daily increase of 500 mg of calcium from dairy products was associated with a 16 percent increase in prostate cancer risk. Those who consumed the most dairy products also tended to smoke less, exercise more and take multivitamins, compared with men who consumed fewer dairy products.

In the study, men reported a diagnosis of prostate cancer, which was confirmed by medical records. They also answered questions about their dietary and lifestyle habits each year, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2001;74:549-554.