| New and exciting scientific research indicates that | | | | a sophisticated analytical technique, examined the |
| vitamin D may help to prevent cancer as well as | | | | data from five previous observational studies. The |
| other chronic diseases. Many of us have wrongly | | | | study examined the effect of vitamin D on colorectal |
| assumed that our vitamin D levels are adequate since | | | | cancer risk, with a follow-up of 25 years. Results |
| we drink milk, are exposed to the sun, and take a | | | | showed that increased serum levels up to 34 ng/ml |
| multivitamin. However, it is now known that even | | | | reduced the incidence rates of colorectal cancer by |
| with these activities, most people have a vitamin D | | | | half. Rates were reduced even further with higher |
| deficiency. This deficiency may play a role in causing | | | | serum levels. |
| serious illness such as heart disease, hypertension, | | | | What is vitamin D and where do we get it? |
| and other diseases, but in particular, cancer. The | | | | Vitamin D is not an actual vitamin, but an inactive fat |
| following is information from current research on | | | | soluble pre-hormone (inactive precursor to a |
| vitamin D and its association with cancer. | | | | hormone). It helps the body absorb and regulate |
| What is the Association between Vitamin D and | | | | calcium and phosphorus. There are two major |
| cancer? | | | | forms, D(2) (ergocalciferol) and D(3) |
| While vitamin D is essential for bone formation, | | | | (Cholecalciferol). D(2) is made by plants while D(3) is |
| growth and repair, new research studies suggest that | | | | made by the body, via exposure to ultraviolent |
| it is also associated with a reduced risk of breast, | | | | radiation (UVB-radiation) from the sun. The body |
| prostrate, and colorectal cancer. These studies, | | | | modifies both forms in the liver to an active form |
| showing a possible cancer-protective role, were | | | | (Calcitriol) and then further modifies it in the kidneys |
| performed in laboratory experiments on cancer cells | | | | to 1, 25-dihydrovitamin D, the form used by the |
| in culture, and in randomized clinical trials. Several | | | | body. |
| studies have shown the following effects on cancer. | | | | We also get vitamin D from our diet from fatty fish, |
| - Prostate cancer- cells contain receptors for the | | | | fish liver oil and eggs as well as from fortified foods |
| active form of vitamin D and respond to vitamin D | | | | such as milk juice yogurt, bread and cereal. |
| (3) with decreases in cell growth, invasiveness and | | | | However, both the D(2) and D(3) forms are |
| metastasis, and increases in cell death. | | | | commercially available as dietary supplements. |
| - Breast cancer Cedric Garland at the University of | | | | What is the Right amount of Vitamin D to take? |
| California in San Diego, and other prominent | | | | This question is not an easy one to answer. The |
| researchers, in a study involving more than 120,000 | | | | answer depends on many personal factors. The |
| women determined that women with vitamin D levels | | | | amount needed varies with age, body weight, |
| above 52 ng/ml have half the risk of developing | | | | percent body fat, season of the year, skin color, |
| breast cancer as those with 13 ng/ml. The | | | | latitude, lactation, amount of sun exposure and the |
| researchers estimate that 58,000 new cases of | | | | use of sun-block. It is suggested that those who |
| breast cancer in the United States could be | | | | are not exposed to the sun as often should take |
| prevented per year by raising levels to 52 ng/ml. | | | | more. |
| - Colorectal cancer- A new study using meta-analysis, | | | | The recommended serum levels are now 50 ng/ml. |