Taking vitamin D to prevent cancer
Dr. Thomas Lenz from Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska tells us that approximately 1 billion people worldwide have low blood concentrations of vitamin D.
So what?
Research shows that low vitamin D levels are associated with several types of cancers, as well as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and upper respiratory tract infections.
On the other hand, adequate blood levels of vitamin D are associated with a decreased risk and improve survival for several of cancers, including breast, rectum, ovary, prostate, stomach, bladder, esophagus, kidney, lung, pancreas, uterus, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
People with vitamin D blood levels less than 20 ng/mL are considered most at risk, whereas those with levels of 32 to 100 ng/mL have sufficient serum vitamin D concentrations.
The bottom line?
Obtaining a total of approximately 4000 IU/day of vitamin D3 achieves serum blood levels considered to be in the sufficient range.
It’s relatively inexpensive, especially when considering the benefits, according to Dr. Lenz.
12/21/09 20:48 JR