15 Apr The Role of Vitamin D

We know a toxic environment and stress contribute to cancer.

But consider the role of nutrition.  If we’re undernourished, and therefore weakened, our immune system is weakened and lacking the power to defend us against cancer and also fight it.

Science links Vitamin D in the role of cancer prevention and treatment.

What is Vitamin D? Known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone naturally present in very few foods, including some fish, fish liver oils, and eggs, fortified dairy and grains. When ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis, vitamin D is produced by the body in response to skin being exposed to that sunlight.

What are the symptoms of low Vitamin D?

The only way to know is by blood testing.  Common symptoms:

• Fatigue
• General muscle pain/weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Joint pain
• Chronic pain
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Restless sleep
• Poor concentration
• Headaches
• Bladder problems
• Constipation or diarrhea

Low levels of vitamin D² are associated with:

• Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Cognitive impairment in older adults
• Asthma in children
• Cancer

Studies about Vitamin D in cancer prevention?

There are thousands of studies linking both Vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of cancer in many forms, and a burden of evidence linking therapeutic Vitamin D administration with an increased survival rate and increased prevention/treatment rate! This is exciting evidence to encourage YOU to check your serum Vitamin D levels!

“Evidence from epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical studies indicates that vitamin D might have application as therapeutic agents in patients with cancer following a diagnosis because their administration can … inhibit tumor growth, and supplemental vitamin D report a reduction in tumor-promoting inflammation biomarkers with vitamin D3 supplementation, decreased oxidative DNA damage.. in the normal mucosa of patients with colorectal adenoma, further highlighting the need to explore vitamin D as a preventative and therapeutic anticancer agent³”.

2 ways to get vitamin D⁴ are by exposing your bare skin to sunlight and by taking vitamin D supplements. You can’t get the right amount of vitamin D your body needs from food.

The most natural way to get vitamin D is by exposing your bare skin to sunlight (ultraviolet B rays). This can happen very quickly, particularly in the summer. You don’t need to tan or burn your skin to get vitamin D. You only need to expose your skin for around half the time it takes for your skin to turn pink and begin to burn. How much vitamin D is produced from sunlight depends on the time of day, where you live in the world and the color of your skin. The more skin you expose the more vitamin D is produced.

If you can’t get enough sunlight, or if you’re worried about exposing your skin. Vitamin D3 is the best kind of supplement to take.

1. http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-d-directory
2. http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/illnesses-linked-vitamin-d-deficiency/
3. http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/32/23/2430.full?sid=dc065563-a7bb-4f76-aa69-0d0ae3c30d87
4. https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/how-do-i-get-the-vitamin-d-my-body-needs/

TAGS:  cancer, prevention, Vitamin D