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June 11, 2007
Study: Vitamin D Cuts Risk In Some Cancers
Topics:The skin makes vitamin D naturally when exposed to sunlight's ultraviolet rays, and multivitamins usually carry a much weaker variant known as D2. However, in this study, the same form of vitamin D was used that the skin makes when exposed to the sun, a form of the vitamin, known as D3 or cholecalciferol. M.
D3 is available in stand-alone dietary supplements through health stores:
New research that reveals vitamin D cut the risk of several types of cancer by 60 percent overall for older women strengthens the case made by some specialists that most people should get more of it, but experts are not sure how much to take.More here ..."The findings ... are a breakthrough of great medical and public health importance," declared Cedric Garland, a prominent vitamin D researcher at the University of California-San Diego. "No other method to prevent cancer has been identified that has such a powerful impact."
The study is the most reliable to date, but does have limitations. It was designed primarily to monitor how calcium and vitamin D improve bone health, and the number of cancer cases overall was small, showing up in just 50 patients.
"It's a very small study," said Dr. Edward Giovannucci, who researches nutrition and cancer at the Harvard School of Public Health. "I don't think it's the last word."
The study takes an important step in extending several decades of research that began with observations that cancer rates among similar groups of people were lower in southern latitudes than in northern ones. Scientists reasoned that had to do with more direct sunlight in southern regions.
Cross posted from New Hope Blog
Posted by Richard at June 11, 2007 10:21 AM
Thanks for sharing this information! This study joins a study last winter showing a significant reduction in breast and colon cancer in those receiving 2000 IU's of vitamin D daily. Thankfully, unlike expensive medications, this can be found for free. Spending ten to fifteen minutes in the sun, without sunscreen, preferably before 11 AM or after 4 PM can result in the absorption of this amount. We are told continuously by the sunscreen industry to never leave home without sunscreen, but it has been estimated that 24,000 people die from cancer in the U.S. each year due to lack of sun exposure (lack of vitamin D). This is more than twice the number that die from skin cancer. After that ten to fifteen minutes be sure to apply a sunscreen that protects against UVA rays, not just UVB rays.
Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time: Practical Advice for Preventing Cancer"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
Posted by: Lynne Eldridge M.D. at June 11, 2007 12:41 PM
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