KGK Synergize Supports Vitamin D Research

LONDON, Ontario—KGK Synergize Inc., a contract research organization, sponsored an observational screening study along with the Toronto Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group, to evaluate the vitamin D status of volunteers from Toronto. Attendees of this first-ever Man to Man special event, which was held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at the Toronto Botanical Garden, were invited to participate, along with their spouses. A total of 189 people participated in this screening, which to date, is one of the largest one-time cohort of subjects in North America that have been screened for vitamin D levels in their blood.
“Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide health problem, especially for populations at higher latitudes where sun exposure is at a minimum. Toronto is one such northern location, where, to our knowledge, vitamin D status has not been specifically evaluated,” stated Mark Moyad, M.D., director of preventative and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. “Further, the data linking certain cancers, such as prostate cancer, to vitamin D levels can be strengthened by the addition of more data.”
KGK sent 12 employees, who volunteered their time, to conduct the study and is currently in the process of analyzing the results in KGK’s laboratory. “When Dr. Moyad approached us with this opportunity, our staff was very willing and excited to be part of this research,” stated Najla Guthrie, president/CEO of KGK. “We are pleased to be able to contribute our resources to this research and look forward to the results.” Man to Man chairman Aaron Bacher added, “We were very honored when Dr. Moyad asked us to participate in this research project, and were pleasantly surprised when so many people agreed to take part in the study that night.” The results of this study will be available to participants shortly and submitted for publication.