Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Part 1
It is best to stop breast cancer before it starts, wouldn't you agree?
We think that every month is time for cancer awareness. Everything in the news seems to put the emphasis on early detection and medical breakthrough cures. I have a problem with that thinking. Mainstream medicine too often doesn't think about prevention. The majority of cancer research money goes into pharmaceuticals, invasive cures and completely overlooks prevention. Even recommended self, breast exam (which makes sense) is about finding cancer that is already present.
Study Results Say Take Your Vitamin D
There have been numerous studies at universities around the world on the benefits of Vitamin D3 serum levels. One such study was at Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San Diego. Their findings, published in April 2009, indicates a serum level of 60-80 ng/ml of vitamin D3 will result in a 75% reduction in the number of deaths from invasive cancer and 50,000 fewer cases of invasive breast cancer per year in North America.
Another published study by researcher Sylvia Christakos, Ph.D. of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School examined the inhibition of the growth of malignant cells found in breast cancer as it relates to serum D3 blood levels. What is exciting about this study is the fact that women with breast cancer or who have previously had breast cancer, can also benefit from increasing their serum levels of vitamin D!
What can you do to raise your vitamin D levels? A study in the February issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine using meta-analysis suggested; exposure to direct sunlight for 15-20 minutes a day with 50% of the skin exposed along with a supplement of 2,000's a day of vitamin D3. Other studies suggest 5,000 to 7,000 IUs to raise levels to a preventative level.
Blood Testing Is Simple
How do you know what your vitamin D levels are? A simple blood test (D-25 hydroxy) can be ordered by your health care professional. Your levels should be between 60 and 80 ng/ml to benefit from the effects of vitamin D3. I have heard many people worry about overdosing on vitamin D. I have to say of all the people I test for vitamin D I have not found one who tests too high. Even people I have put on 5,000 IU's per day can still test low and need to increase their dose.
Other Factors That Help
So is the prevention all about vitamin D3? What in life is that easy? It is also about the other factors that affect our health such as stress, diet and exercise. Learning to relax and unwind, or to take the time to plan healthy meals can also play a major role in prevention! Other supplements that are high in anti-oxidants like glutathione, vitamin E, vitamin C and even fish oils can make a difference.
As we increase our awareness of Breast Cancer by wearing pink or pink ribbons, remember about an ounce of prevention and all of that. Just don't confuse the cure as being the prevention of the disease.
As you run or join in a fun walk for the cause remember the cure lies within each of us as we make our daily life choices. Each of us can stack the cards in our favor. No guarantees in life but you can improve the probable outcome with some educated effort. We try to bring that guidance to your through these blog pages.
At OVitaminPro.com our passion is prevention and we demonstrate that by offering scientific based blood, urine and saliva test as well as healthy positive nutrition!