Deficiency of Vitamin D and Cancer Risk

Studies show similarities between women with a deficiency in vitamin D and breast cancer. This study explained that those who had already been diagnosed with Cancer and had low levels of vitamin D had an increased risk for the cancer to spread and progress. Studies also show adequate levels of vitamin D may even protect women from developing breast cancer to begin with.

Recently, a group of cancer experts collected over 200 studies available for research on vitamin D and cancer. They looked at cancers of the colon, breast, prostate and ovaries. 67% of the data showed that Vitamin D is protective against colon cancer, 69% of the data showed Vitamin D is protective against breast cancer, 50% showed it helps prevent prostate cancer and 75% of the research shows vitamin D is protective against ovarian cancer.

Vitamin D is important for the formation, growth and repair of bones as well as immune function and cell growth. According to the National Institute of Health, These are the daily amounts of vitamin D for different ages:

 

Birth to 12 months ~ 400 IU

Children 1-13 ~ 600 IU

Teens 14-18 ~ 600 IU

Adults 19-70 years ~ 600 IU

Adults 71 years and older ~ 800 IU

Pregnant and breastfeeding women ~ 600 IU

 

Even though we can get Vitamin D from milk, fortified cereals, fish and eggs, we get the majority of our vitamin D, from the sun. The sun's rays activate vitamin D synthesis in the body and it only takes ten minutes of outside time to reach satisfactory levels. 

It is important to get your vitamin D Levels tested before deciding if a vitamin D supplement is right for you.