Abstract
Vitamin D is of interest due to its role in disease prevention. Much attention has been focused on the properties of vitamin D and its receptor in the prevention of colorectal cancer, but clinically useful associations remain unclear. Interactions among genotype, phenotype, and environmental factors seem to affect the chemoprotective properties of vitamin D related to colorectal cancer in ways that are poorly understood. This review provides an overview of selected research examining associations among vitamin D, its receptor, and risk for colorectal cancer and concludes with suggestions for clinical applications of current knowledge. Suggestions are focused on the Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, recommendations regarding vitamin D nutriture.