Vitamin D3 News
Breaking news from: December 2009
Vol 1 No 16
In This Issue
Vitamin D endorsed by major institutions
It is now more than two years since the Canadian Cancer Society announced its endorsement of Vitamin D3 to prevent cancer. Since then several other major US organizations have issued similar alerts. Now, most recently BUPA, the major UK private healthcare organization has joined the ranks of the converted.
Vitamin D shown to reduce risk of cancer
BUPA Press Release-Dec 22nd 2009

Taking a vitamin D supplement every day could reduce your risk of certain cancers.

According to numerous research papers, taking three to four high strength (12.5 micrograms) tablets of vitamin D a day can reduce your risk of developing certain cancers by up to a quarter. Having enough vitamin D in your body is likely to reduce your risk of bowel, pancreatic, breast, prostate, ovarian, bladder, oesophageal, lung, kidney and uterine cancer as well as non-Hodgkins lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Many of the studies looked at the link between vitamin D and specific cancers, such as prostate cancer, although some looked at any type of cancer. During the studies, people's vitamin D blood levels, vitamin D intake in food and supplements, and sun exposure was tracked. The researchers monitored the people in the studies and recorded the type and number of cancers that were diagnosed.

Although researchers are not exactly sure how vitamin D helps, some think it interacts with a number of genes in the body. If not enough vitamin D is present, the cells in the body are not able to go through their usual life-cycle. However, the exact reasons for the link between vitamin D and the decreased risk of developing certain cancers is not known at the moment.

Vitamin D is a simple and effective way to reduce your risk of developing certain cancers.

Dr Virginia Warren, assistant medical director, Bupa

Vitamin D can be found in oily fish, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel, and in fortified breakfast cereals. It is also produced naturally by your skin when it is exposed to sunlight. For most people, sunlight is their main source of vitamin D. Because of this, it's particularly important to ensure you are getting enough vitamin D during the winter months when the sun is weaker.

Dr Virginia Warren, assistant medical director for Bupa, commented: "There has been a lot of research over the last few years about the health benefits of taking a vitamin D supplement. Based on this evidence, we would recommend taking between 37.5 and 50 micrograms (1,500 - 2000 international units) of vitamin D on a daily basis to help reduce your risk of certain cancers. Spending time outside in summer will also increase your vitamin D levels, but is a risk for skin cancer.

"Ensuring you get enough vitamin D is a simple and effective way to reduce your risk of developing certain cancers. Alongside this, it's important to ensure you eat a healthy balanced diet, exercise regularly, only drink in moderation and do not smoke."

Read the studies

Hypponen E & Power C. Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors. Am J Clin Nut 2007; 85:860-8 http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/85/3/860

Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Rimm E et al. Prospective study of predictors of vitamin D status and cancer incidence and mortality in men. Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JCNI) 2006; 98:451-59 doi: 10.1093/jnci/djj101

Oh K, Willett WC, Wu K, et al. Calcium and vitamin D intakes in relation to risk of distal colorectal adenoma in women. Am J Epidemiol. 2007; 165(10):1178-86. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwm026

Skinner HG, Michaud DS, Giovannucci E, et al. Vitamin D intake and the risk for pancreatic cancer in two cohort studies. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2006; 15(9):1688-95. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-06-0206

John E, Dreon D, Koo J, et al. Residential sunlight exposure is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2004; 89-90:549-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.03.067

Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, et al. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2007; 85(6):1586-91. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/85/6/1586

 
The products and claims made here have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
In the news - The following news releases have been added to the In the News section of www.vitaminD3world.com This section of the site is updated every few days. Revisit it frequently to catch the latest on Vitamin D. Click here for In the News  
 
Vitamin D3 has now received endorsements from the folowing major institutions:
 
Harvard Health Publications-September 2008
Headline-Time for more vitamin D
Unless you live in the South and spend a fair amount of time outdoors, or you like eating lots of fatty fish and vitamin D-fortified foods, supplements are the best way to make sure you're getting 800 to 1,000 IU per day. (Higher doses may be prescribed if you've been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency.)
 
Mayo Clinic-September 2009
Headline-Vitamin D: Many Benefits; Optimal Dose Uncertain
Low levels of vitamin D are associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders, infections such as tuberculosis, and periodontal disease. Low vitamin D levels also may affect certain cancers, including colon, breast and prostate cancers.
Click here for the full story 
 
American Heart Association-November 2009
Headline-Inadequate Levels of Vitamin D May Significantly Increase Risk of Stroke, Heart Disease and Death 
This was a unique study because the association between Vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease has not been well-established," says Brent Muhlestein, MD, director of cardiovascular research of the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center and one of the authors of the new study. "Its conclusions about how we can prevent disease and provide treatment may ultimately help us save more lives."
 
Harvard Health Publications-December 2009 
Headline-Vitamin D deficiency bad for the heart, bones, and rest of the body.
The Harvard Heart Letter notes that supplements are the simplest, safest way to get vitamin D. Getting 800 to 1,000 IU daily from supplements is a good goal. Ask your doctor to test your vitamin D level, and take a supplement if it is low.

BUPA-December 2009
Headline-Vitamin D shown to reduce risk of cancer
Dr Virginia Warren, assistant medical director for Bupa, commented: "There has been a lot of research over the last few years about the health benefits of taking a vitamin D supplement. Based on this evidence, we would recommend taking between 37.5 and 50 micrograms (1,500 - 2000 international units)  of vitamin D on a daily basis to help reduce your risk of certain cancers. 
See above for the full story. 
Editorial Comment   
The data on the effects of Vitamin D deficiency becomes more impressive week by week. As always pass on this information to anyone who may be interested and encourage them to sign up for further updates.
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