It used to be they told us that too much sun exposure caused skin cancer, which later became “any” sun exposure. Maybe this was to sell sun screen or natural tanning agents. Who knows. But now we find what some of us suspected all along, that is, the sun may actually prevent cancer, specifically breast cancer and have a lot of other benefits as well. We suspect, when all the evidence is in, man will discover that Nature, after all, is the best medicine.’’
MAYBE IT IS TIME TO CHECK WHETHER YOU ARE GETTING ENOUGH VITAMIN D. GOT SUN?
UCSD researchers show link between vitamin D status, breast cancer
Using newly available data on worldwide cancer incidence, researchers at the Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine have shown a clear association between deficiency in exposure to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B (UVB), and breast cancer.
UVB exposure triggers photosynthesis of vitamin D3 in the body. This form of vitamin D also is available through diet and supplements.
Approximately 1,150,000 cases and 410,000 deaths from breast cancer occur annually worldwide, including 215,000 new cases and 41,000 deaths in the United States.
The study is published in the May-June 2008 issue of The Breast Journal.
“This is the first study, to our knowledge, to show that higher serum levels of vitamin D are associated with reduced incidence rates of breast cancer worldwide,” said Cedric F. Garland, Dr. P.H., professor of Family and Preventive Medicine in the UCSD School of Medicine, and member of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/uoc--urs051508.php
Not only breast cancer but Diabetes!
Moores UCSD Cancer Center study links vitamin D, type 1 diabetes
Global view supports concept of using vitamin D in reducing disease risks
Sun exposure and vitamin D levels may play a strong role in risk of type 1 diabetes in children, according to new findings by researchers at the Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. This association comes on the heels of similar research findings by this same group regarding vitamin D levels and several major cancers.
In this new study, the researchers found that populations living at or near the equator, where there is abundant sunshine (and ultraviolet B irradiance) have low incidence rates of type 1 diabetes. Conversely, populations at higher latitudes, where available sunlight is scarcer, have higher incidence rates. These findings add new support to the concept of a role of vitamin D in reducing risk of this disease.
Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure triggers photosynthesis of vitamin D3 in the skin. This form of vitamin D also is available through diet and supplements.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/uoc--muc060208.php
And, if that is not enough, Vitamin D in brain development:
Vitamin D in brain function
Vitamin D supplementation for high risk groups may be warranted
In a definitive critical review, scientists at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland ask whether there is convincing biological or behavioral evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to brain dysfunction. Joyce C. McCann, Ph.D., assistant staff scientist and Bruce N. Ames, Ph.D., senior scientist at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) conclude that there is ample biological evidence to suggest an important role for vitamin D in brain development and function, and that supplementation for groups chronically low in vitamin D is warranted. Their conclusions will be published on April 22, 2008 in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-04/chr-vdi041808.php
AGAIN: MAYBE IT IS TIME TO CHECK WHETHER YOU ARE GETTING ENOUGH VITAMIN D. GOT SUN?
