You may be aware of that vitamin D is necessary for building up of strong bones. But the type of vitamin often appears in the limelight because of its equally important role in preventing certain types of cancers to simply live longer.
Vitamin D and its health effects
Vitamin D is often called as the sunshine vitamin. It is popular for its ability to support bone health by promoting the absorption of phosphorus and vitamin C in the body. It is made by the skin in response to sunrays. The type of vitamin is helpful in maintaining levels of calcium in the body, making bones, muscles, and teeth health. While the benefits of vitamin D on bone disorders are very well known, there is growing evidence that the sunshine vitamin benefits other chronic diseases as well. A recent study conducted to know about its other health effects revealed that the sunshine vitamin actually does much more than building strong bones. The research study suggests that the type of vitamin plays a key role in the prevention of breast cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death in women across the world. It may also be linked to a lower risk of developing lung and liver cancer.
Vitamin D and breast cancer
Research has shown that the rates of incidence of breast cancer are lower among women with high vitamin D levels in their blood. According to research data, around 30 to 50% women who increased vitamin D intake has been recorded a reduction in risk for developing breast cancer. It has been estimated that women who increased their vitamin D intake to 1000 IUs per day were less likely to have breast cancer. Getting exposure to sunlight can be an easy treatment for cancer.
It has been revealed that women who had low levels of vitamin D in their blood three months before breast cancer have three times the risk of cancer as compared to ladies with a good amount of vitamin D in their blood.
Clinical experts have found a noticeable relationship between factors that lead to low level of vitamin D and breast cancer rates. The levels of vitamin D in the body are determined by the numerous variables, including the amount of exposure to the sun, the color of the skin, as well as the latitude of residence. Ladies who involve more vitamin D in their diet or spend a good time in outside exposed to sunlight 25 to 25 % fewer chances of developing breast cancer as compared to women who don’t take enough amount of vitamin D. The sunshine vitamin is strongly associated with the breast cancer survival.
Prevention of breast cancer with vitamin D
Vitamin plays a crucial role in healthy cell reproduction; it helps in maintaining communication between cells. In cancer, there is a loss of intracellular communication. This shortcoming in the exchange of information between cells prevents the turnover of healthy cells, allowing more abnormal (cancer) cells to take over.
Furthermore, many lab studies have shed light on the effectiveness of vitamin D in preventing cancer development. It is found to decrease cancer cell growth, reduce tumor blood vessel formation, stimulate cell death, and promote cellular differentiation. It can be the great cancer cure for busy women.
Negative effects caused by Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D can easily be called as a super vitamin after knowing about its bone supporting, and cancer-fighting, and immune boosting capabilities. It is suggested that people under the age of 70 should get 200 to 600 IUs of vitamin D per day. But unfortunately, around 75% of Americans including teens and adults are not reaching these levels. According to the research data, around one billion of people all over the world are vitamin D deficient. One of the main reason behind the deficiency of vitamin D is that most of us are not spending enough time outdoors.
One should know the fact that the greatest source of vitamin D for everyone out there is exposure to sunlight. It is the only type of vitamin that everyone’s body can manufacture, and it does so with exposure to sun rays. Other dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolks, beef liver, cheese, orange juice and milk. If you are not able to fulfill your needs of vitamin D with dietary source make sure you expose yourself to sunlight to meet your vitamin D needs.
