Vitamin D may be a beneficial natural supplement as a new study has found that levels of the nutrient are associated with survival rates of lymphoma patients.

The nutrient is most commonly received from sunlight exposure, but can also be found in various food and dairy products. It’s most known for its link to blood and bone health.

Results presented at the American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting in New Orleans suggested that 50 percent of the 374 research subjects that were diagnosed with large B-cell lymphoma had a vitamin D deficiency. Scientists say that this gave patients a twofold greater risk of dying.

This research is reportedly the strongest link between vitamin D levels and cancer progression that scientists have been able to discover. Some doctors feel this will help them in treatment recommendations for cancer patients.

While scientists don’t know how vitamin D comes into play with cancer treatment, lead researcher Dr. Matthew Drake feels that the positive outcome is the most important thing.

“The exact roles that vitamin D might play in the initiation or progression of cancer is unknown, but we do know that the vitamin plays a role in regulation of cell growth and death, among other processes important in limiting cancer,” he said.