Vitamin D and Cancer: 10 Things to Know

vitamin d and skin cancer

Proper sunscreen use can help limit overexposure to the sun.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Cancer forms when cells in the body form a tumor through abnormal multiplication. These tumors can then spread throughout the body, depending on the type of cancer and where it originates.

A body that is operating under normal circumstances allows its cells to live out a normal life cycle; they grow old, die and then are replaced with new ones. Cancer is what occurs when the normal circumstances are no longer occurring and the old cells either do not die or too many are formed creating an abnormal situation.

New studies show that vitamin D and cancer may be linked as a type of cancer treatment in the form of vitamin d supplements and exposure.

These studies were conducted through a set of clinical trials that compared individuals who took vitamin D supplements against those who took placebo supplements for a period of three years.

The results showed that those who took vitamin D had a lower risk of mortality from cancer than those who took the placebo. Continue reading to learn more about studies related to vitamin D and cancer prevention as well as information about vitamin D levels.

Click here to learn facial areas prone to skin cancer.

Things to Know about Vitamin D and Cancer

  1. Vitamin D levels are normally gained from exposure to sunlight and sometimes from food.
  2. In order for the body to use vitamin D properly it must convert it in two stages; the liver and the kidneys into an active form.
  3. Supplements of vitamin d have many other benefits that can help strengthen bones, lower risk of heart failure, reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis, cavities among other benefits.
  4. Finding and treating cancer early can help with prognosis because once cancer has metastasized it can be difficult to treat.
  5. Vitamin D levels that are above 400 IU can help lower the risk of breast cancer in women who are not menopausal or postmenopausal.
  6. Vitamin D in its active form allows the gut to absorb calcium.
  7. Calcium can be used during digestion to help in the formation of bones and maintain a healthy bone.
  8. Vitamin D as a form of cancer treatment prevention can help cell growth, immune function, and inflammation.
  9. Vitamin D can either be made by plants or by the skin when it is exposed to UV radiation from the sun.
  10. Foods that include high vitamin d levels are fatty fish, fish liver oil and eggs.

Cancer Treatment Studies Continue

Although studies relating to vitamin D and cancer prevention have discovered many positive findings, they are still investigating the role of vitamin D levels in cancer treatment.

There has even been research that shows that death rates for certain cancers were lower for certain individuals living in the southern latitudes where there was an excess of sunlight exposure.

On the other hand, a study performed on mice exhibited that vitamin D helped slow the development of cancer through cellular differentiation and slowing cancer growth as well as stimulating cell death-promoting normal bodily circumstances.

It’s even possible that cancer can help play a role in adding years of life to those who have cancer, but the studies are inconclusive. Because of the strong findings regarding vitamin D studies will continue and adding more vitamin D to your life could be beneficial in many ways.

If you are considering taking vitamin D supplements, speak to your doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle to ensure that what you’re doing what’s best for you.

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