Vitamin D And Cancer

New studies have shown a promising connection between Vitamin D and cancer prevention and treatment. This vitamin found in fortified milk, egg yolks and fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel. It can also be made by the body simply by 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure 3 or 4 times a week.

Scientists have studied Vitamin D and Cancer to determine it's uses as both a preventative measure and as a treatment to help kill cancer cells. It has been found that a diet rich in this vitamin may reduce the risk of breast, prostate and colon cancer.

Vitamin D and Breast Cancer

Studies on mice have shown that Vitamin D can shrink breast cancer tumors and stop the growth of breast cancer cells. In addition, it has been shown to help out with radiation treatment for breast cancer as it can wipe out radiation resistant cells that can cause the cancer to reemerge. Research suggests that Vitamin D also has a role in the prevention of breast cancer as the breast was recently found to contain enzymes that turn the vitamin into it’s cancer fighting substance. Additionally, women with a gene fault that causes them to not be able to use vitamin D correctly had twice the incidence of breast cancer and women from the Mediterranean (where it is very sunny and there is more chance of vitamin D production through sunlight exposure) have a low incidence of breast cancer.

Vitamin D and Cancer Of The Colon

Vitamin D has shown a promising role in preventing colon polyps that can turn into cancer. In the 1980's studies showed that out of 25000 people who were followed for 10 years, those with normal vitamin D levels had an 80% reduced risk of colon cancer. Vitamin D is thought to be effective because it detoxifies the waste products of the body.

Prostate Cancer and Vitamin D

Another link between Vitamin D and cancer is it's role in prevention of prostate cancer. Research suggests that men who do not get enough sun exposure are at increased risk for this cancer. Another study suggests that vitamin D may have a role in stopping the progression of prostate cancer once it has advanced.

Although the role of vitamin d and cancer prevention and treatment needs more research, it is also an important substance in promoting healthy bones and teeth and may have other benefits as yet unknown. If you suspect you are deficient in vitamin D, talk to your physician about taking a supplement. A moderate supplement can’t hurt for in most cases and it may be able to help more than you know!

Of Interest