Another research group,
at the University of Rochester, has
recently shown that vitamin D inhibits
the spread of human prostate cancer
cell lines and blocks two critical steps
in tumour angiogenesis.
In a study reported in The American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1,179
healthy postmenopausal women were
divided into three groups, one taking
1,400-1,500 mg of supplemental
calcium, another taking that amount of
calcium plus 1,100 IU of vitamin D3,
and the third taking a placebo.
The researchers found that the
women taking calcium and vitamin D3
together had a 60% decrease in their
overall cancer risk compared to the
other two groups.
Researchers described the finding
as “a breakthrough of great medical
and public health importance. No other
method to prevent cancer has been
identified that has such a powerful
impact.”
The researchers’ final conclusion:
“Improving calcium and vitamin D
nutritional status substantially reduces
all-cancer risk in postmenopausal
women.”
Improved lung health
A study recently published in Chest,
has found that the higher the level of
vitamin D in your blood, the better
your lungs seem to function.
Harvard researchers found that
lung cancer patients who had higher
levels of vitamin D in their blood and
had undergone surgery in the sunnier
months were more than 2.5 times more
likely to be alive after 5 years than
those who had the lowest levels of
vitamin D.
And it helps treat steroid-resistant
asthma. Research conducted at King’s
College London revealed that vitamin
D supplementation may help patients
that don’t respond well to inhaled steroids
(the typical asthma treatment) to
become more responsive to therapy.
Bone and skeletal health
What you probably already know is
that vitamin D in essential for calcium
absorption and bone formation and
strength. Research shows that the more
vitamin D one has the less of a risk of
breaking a bone. When women took
800 IUs daily of vitamin D the risk of
breaking a bone decreased by 33%.
Studies have revealed that in winter
months bone density can drop up to
4%, reaching the lowest density in
early spring. Supplements are required
to prevent this drop.
An analysis of five studies on the
benefits of vitamin D showed that a
sufficient daily dose of vitamin D can
reduce the incidence of falls in those
65 or over by 22%.
Cardiovascular health
Vitamin D has been found to relax
the large blood vessels, and thus help
prevent high blood pressure.
In a study
involving 1,700 participants, those
with high blood pressure coupled with
low levels of vitamin D were twice as
likely to have a heart attack, angina,
stroke, heart failure, or other cardiovascular
events than those with higher
vitamin D levels.
Having low levels of vitamin D may
also increase the risk of calcium build
up in the arteries, a significant component
of atherosclerotic plaque.
Arthritis help
In an 11-year study of 30,000 people,
those who consumed the most vitamin
D were 30% less likely to develop
rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin D helps keep cartilage
healthy and strong, reducing the risk
of developing arthritis. If you’re
already battling arthritis, research suggests
that getting enough vitamin D
can slow its progression by 50%.
