70 Percent Reduction In Cancer Risks

When two large countries make bold statements to their population in general, that taking vitamin D supplements can reduce cancer risks by 70% and more, everyone should stand up and take notice! What is the main source of vitamin D - sunlight.? We have been preached to for years that sunlight is bad for you and to make sure that you are always protected from it's harmful rays.

Here we go again, using the fear factor, to get everyone following a regimen of slathering on sun protection creams. Which, by the way, can contain their own harmful ingredients that are absorbed into the body through your skin. The Canadian Cancer Society is suggesting that their population of adults take an extra 1000 IUs of vitamin D during the winter months when there is less sun shine. For those already at a higher risk for getting cancer, the suggestion is to take the increased amount, all year round.

They based their decision on a study that was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The 4 year study was conducted on a group of post-menopausal women from rural eastern Nebraska which concluded that there was a 60% or greater reduction of cancer risk for the women who took vitamin D3 plus a calcium supplement, than for those who did not take the vitamin. Vitamin D is extremely important for absorption of calcium in the small intestine but it has also been found to regulate the growth of cancer cells.

The UK has also taken steps to promote the use of vitamin D supplementation. Their cancer specialist report that a 40 year review of research has found that a daily dose of 1000 IUs daily, could cut the risks of breast, colon and ovary cancers by up to 50%. Results of a study reported in October 2007 in the European Journal of Cancer, showed the risk of internal cancers were lower among people living in sunny countries. "Vitamin D production in the skin seems to decrease the risk of several solid cancers, especially stomach, colorectal, liver and gallbladder, pancreas, lung, female breast, prostate, bladder and kidney cancers."

Our food sources do supply some Vitamin D, but 90% of the source is from simple skin exposure to the sun. 10-15 minutes a day, 2-3 days a week, will produce a sufficient dose of vitamin D. Supplementation is highly recommended, for those people who live in areas around the globe that do not get a regular dose of sunshine.

Besides cancer risks, what are some of the other ailments that a deficiency of vitamin D produces:

Osteoporosis

Rickets

Schizophrenia

Psoriasis

Seasonal Affective Disorder

May have a direct affect on Type II diabetes by impairing insulin production in the pancreas

There's probably a host of others that we've yet to discover.

This by no means should be taken as a reason to stay out in the hot sun for extended periods of time unprotected by clothing or some other means if your occupation requires it. More is not better in this case...since skin cancer should be of concern with over exposure.

Jackie Martin writes from a perspective of her own self-education after three siblings (in the last five years), her mother and several other extended family members were diagnosed with cancer.

Her blog: WhenCancerHitsHome deals with the personal side of each siblings diagnosis as well as her self-education resources and findings.

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