Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention
We all need vitamin D to maintain optimal health and wellness. Vitamin D
is a fat-soluble vitamin that encourages the absorption and metabolism
of calcium and phosphorous, and is essential for bone growth. People who
have a vitamin D deficiency are at risk for diseases such as
osteoporosis and rickets. Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to
cancer, periodontal disease, and hypertension.
Vitamin D is synthesized by the body from the UV rays of sunlight, and
it is also found in certain foods such as salmon, tuna and eggs. It is
often added to breakfast cereals, pastas or bread. However, it is
difficult to get the vitamin D your body needs from food alone.
“Vitamin D is a vitamin that is essential for a number of health issues
in our body and in recent years has been shown to be related to the
prevention of a number of types of cancers including and especially
colorectal cancer,” says Dr. Jason Rivers, a dermatologist and
HealthChoices.ca partner. “The current controversy is that people are
being told that they should get out in the sun to get their vitamin D so
that they'll prevent a number of different cancers, but we do know that
sun exposure can also cause skin cancer.”
In addition, the vitamin D in our skin saturates, which means that
after we've been in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes, our body doesn't make
any more of it.
“The amount of exposure you need is only really to part of your body, 15 minutes three to four times a week,” says Dr. Rivers.
So, if it's difficult to get vitamin D from food sources, and too much
time in the sun is harmful, how can you get the amount your body needs?
The answer: vitamin D supplements.
“Supplements cost you pennies a day, they're safe, and they don't
expose you to harmful ultraviolet radiation,” says Dr. Rivers.
“Supplements will provide you with the levels you need to perhaps
prevent these internal malignancies.”
If you want to learn more about the benefits of vitamin D, discuss your options with a local dermatologist.
For more information and to watch the video visit:
www.healthchoices.ca
