Health News
2007-02-08
Study: Vitamin D
protects against cancer
People with the
highest levels of a form of vitamin D in their blood have
the lowest risk of breast cancer, according to a study in
People with the
highest levels of a form of vitamin D in their blood have
the lowest risk of breast cancer, according to a study in
the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and MolecularBiology.
“And the
breast cancer rates dropped as the blood levels of
25-hydroxyvitamin D increased," study coauthor Cedric
Garland said in a release. Garland went on to say that
risk of breast cancer could be halved by taking 2,000
international units of vitamin D3 daily and spending
10 to 15 minutes a day in the sun.
A related study,
published online by the American Journal of PreventiveMedicine, found the same form of vitamin D
could prevent colorectal cancer. A daily intake of 2,000 IU
of vitamin D3 reduces the incidence of the disease by
two thirds, said coauthor Edward D. Gorham in the same
release. "This would be best achieved with a
combination of diet, supplements, and 10 to 15 minutes per
day in the sun."
Vitamin D3 is
available through diet, supplements and exposure of the
skin to sunlight, or ultraviolet B. Researchers emphasized
the importance of limiting sun exposure so the skin
doesn’t tan or burn. Typical fair-skinned
Caucasians who spend 10 to 15 minutes in the midday sun will
photosynthesize adequate vitamin D. Darker-skinned
individuals may require as much as 25 minutes. (The
Advocate)
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