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Vitamin D has anti-cancer properties
Posted on : Mon, 23 May 2005 01:08:00 GMT | Author : James Simpson
News Category : Health
There is growing evidence that Vitamin D may help ward off many types of cancer. The last three months alone have seen four separate studies claim that Vitamin D prevents lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and the skin. So far the strongest evidence to link the "sunshine vitamin" to cancer protection comes from a study, which says that colon cancer is prevented by the vitamin.
Dr. Edward Giovannucci, a Harvard University professor of medicine and nutrition who addressed a recent American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Anaheim, California had this to say in his keynote speech, "I would challenge anyone to find an area or nutrient or any factor that has such consistent anti-cancer benefits as vitamin D. The data are really quite remarkable." He has even claimed that the risk of death from cancer as a result of vitamin D deficiency may be thirty times greater than the risk of dying from skin cancer as a result of being in the sun.
This challenge has had the desired effect on the American Cancer Society, which is reviewing its sun protection guidelines. Dr. Michael Thun, the society's chief epidemiologist says, "There is now intriguing evidence that vitamin D may have a role in the prevention as well as treatment of certain cancers."
However, not everyone is a believer, Dr. Joseph Baler, head of dermatology at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, says that sunlight is harmful and that when you do venture out be sure to wear a sunblock or a hat, "If you have people do sun 15 to 20 minutes three times a week, you'll have some people getting an increased risk of skin cancer. As far as I'm concerned, you should be using sunscreen all the time, 12 months a year, even in the winter," he asserts. Doctors apparently are still divided, some claim that Vitamin D is the next super drug while others maintain that excessive sun exposure will invariably lead to skin cancer.
Dr. Henry Lim, chairman of dermatology at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and an academy vice president, says, "The statement that 'no sun exposure is good' I don't think is correct anymore." He is one among a growing band of doctors who believe that vitamin D is a wonder vitamin.
Vitamin D belongs to the fat-soluble group of vitamins, which includes Vitamins A, D, E and K. Chemically; vitamin D is cholecalciferol or activated 7-dehydrocholesterol. On exposure to sunlight 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to vitamin D.
Other sources include salmon, tuna and oily fish. It is found in plenty in cod liver oil. The recommended daily allowance for the vitamin is 200 international units a day up to age 50, 400 IUs for ages 50 to 70, and 600 IUs for people older than 70. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and for the normal deposition of these minerals into bone.
Recent research has suggested that the vitamin regulates genes involved in cell growth, differentiation and proliferation. By promoting differentiation and inhibiting proliferation, it has a potential role in cancer prevention and therapy. Since the primary source of this vitamin happens to be the sun, researchers are advocating three or four 15-minute sessions of sun per week. So the next time your kid ventures out into the sun do not give him a dressing down, he may just be building up protection for himself!
Posted on : Mon, 23 May 2005 01:08:00 GMT | Author : James Simpson
News Category : Health
There is growing evidence that Vitamin D may help ward off many types of cancer. The last three months alone have seen four separate studies claim that Vitamin D prevents lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and the skin. So far the strongest evidence to link the "sunshine vitamin" to cancer protection comes from a study, which says that colon cancer is prevented by the vitamin.
Dr. Edward Giovannucci, a Harvard University professor of medicine and nutrition who addressed a recent American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Anaheim, California had this to say in his keynote speech, "I would challenge anyone to find an area or nutrient or any factor that has such consistent anti-cancer benefits as vitamin D. The data are really quite remarkable." He has even claimed that the risk of death from cancer as a result of vitamin D deficiency may be thirty times greater than the risk of dying from skin cancer as a result of being in the sun.
This challenge has had the desired effect on the American Cancer Society, which is reviewing its sun protection guidelines. Dr. Michael Thun, the society's chief epidemiologist says, "There is now intriguing evidence that vitamin D may have a role in the prevention as well as treatment of certain cancers."
However, not everyone is a believer, Dr. Joseph Baler, head of dermatology at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, says that sunlight is harmful and that when you do venture out be sure to wear a sunblock or a hat, "If you have people do sun 15 to 20 minutes three times a week, you'll have some people getting an increased risk of skin cancer. As far as I'm concerned, you should be using sunscreen all the time, 12 months a year, even in the winter," he asserts. Doctors apparently are still divided, some claim that Vitamin D is the next super drug while others maintain that excessive sun exposure will invariably lead to skin cancer.
Dr. Henry Lim, chairman of dermatology at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and an academy vice president, says, "The statement that 'no sun exposure is good' I don't think is correct anymore." He is one among a growing band of doctors who believe that vitamin D is a wonder vitamin.
Vitamin D belongs to the fat-soluble group of vitamins, which includes Vitamins A, D, E and K. Chemically; vitamin D is cholecalciferol or activated 7-dehydrocholesterol. On exposure to sunlight 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to vitamin D.
Other sources include salmon, tuna and oily fish. It is found in plenty in cod liver oil. The recommended daily allowance for the vitamin is 200 international units a day up to age 50, 400 IUs for ages 50 to 70, and 600 IUs for people older than 70. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and for the normal deposition of these minerals into bone.
Recent research has suggested that the vitamin regulates genes involved in cell growth, differentiation and proliferation. By promoting differentiation and inhibiting proliferation, it has a potential role in cancer prevention and therapy. Since the primary source of this vitamin happens to be the sun, researchers are advocating three or four 15-minute sessions of sun per week. So the next time your kid ventures out into the sun do not give him a dressing down, he may just be building up protection for himself!
