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Scientists have long noticed that people who live in northerly regions of the world like Buffalo have higher cancer rates than those in places with more sunshine.
A growing amount of research now indicates why: vitamin D.
The “sunshine vitamin” — because our skin produces it when exposed to sunlight — is known for building healthy bones. But, otherwise, the nutrient has never received much attention. That’s likely to change.
Dozens of laboratory and geographical studies in recent years suggest that vitamin D deficiency is common and that the risk of cancer, as well as other illnesses, is higher among individuals with low vitamin D levels.
In April, the head of Roswell Park Cancer Institute made the case for vitamin D in a presentation at the 2007 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. Next month, scientists are expected to release the first major study of vitamin D in humans that shows a significant protective effect against a range of cancers.
“The data are very persuasive,” said Dr. Donald Trump, president and chief executive officer of Roswell Park.
He and others warn that there have been no long-term studies directly comparing vitamin D to a placebo, and they may never be done because of the cost and complexity.
Still, the existing evidence is compelling enough for prostate, colon, breast and other cancers that experts advise taking supplements, and the American Cancer Society is revising its skin cancer prevention recommendations, with the vitamin D findings in mind. This gets to the dilemma about vitamin D.
Scientists have long noticed that people who live in northerly regions of the world like Buffalo have higher cancer rates than those in places with more sunshine.
A growing amount of research now indicates why: vitamin D.
The “sunshine vitamin” — because our skin produces it when exposed to sunlight — is known for building healthy bones. But, otherwise, the nutrient has never received much attention. That’s likely to change.
Dozens of laboratory and geographical studies in recent years suggest that vitamin D deficiency is common and that the risk of cancer, as well as other illnesses, is higher among individuals with low vitamin D levels.
In April, the head of Roswell Park Cancer Institute made the case for vitamin D in a presentation at the 2007 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. Next month, scientists are expected to release the first major study of vitamin D in humans that shows a significant protective effect against a range of cancers.
“The data are very persuasive,” said Dr. Donald Trump, president and chief executive officer of Roswell Park.
He and others warn that there have been no long-term studies directly comparing vitamin D to a placebo, and they may never be done because of the cost and complexity.
Still, the existing evidence is compelling enough for prostate, colon, breast and other cancers that experts advise taking supplements, and the American Cancer Society is revising its skin cancer prevention recommendations, with the vitamin D findings in mind. This gets to the dilemma about vitamin D.
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