Can Vitamin D Prevent Cancer?

We know that vitamin D keeps us healthy, but can vitamin D prevent cancer?  The answer appears to be yes.

Medical researchers have been looking at more and more and the more they look the more it seems to make a difference.

One shocking finding is that most Americans don't have enough vitamin D.

Some studies have found as many as 85% of people in the northern part of the country are deficient.  This is because a lot of the vitamin D in our body is produced in the skin as a result of  sun exposure.  If we live where there isn’t much sun, our vitamin D levels are likely to be low.

If a lack of vitamin really does increase the risk of cancer, this is a major health issue.

Many of the studies showing an increased risk of cancer examined how much people got in their diet and then looked at the rate of cancer.

Multiple studies have shown the highest rates of many different types of cancer in those with the lowest levels of vitamin D.

Now, these studies don’t show 100% that taking vitamin D will reduce your risk of cancer, but studies to do that could take twenty years or longer to complete.  If we need vitamin D now waiting that long puts us in danger.

That’s why many health professionals suggest taking 1000 or so units of vitamin D daily, especially during the shorter days of winter if you live in the north.

Something else they suggest is to wait fifteen or twenty minutes before you put your sun screen on.  That short exposure gives your skin time to make your own vitamin D but isn’t long enough to do damage.

And cancer isn't the only thing vitamin D affects.

If you want to find out about vitamin D and heart attacks you can follow that link.

But vitamins and supplements are only one part of health and wellness.  I’ve found a lot of good information at http://www.jfmccaffreymd.com.  You may want to check it out.