Health, Microbes, and More
A recent large study found that getting high levels of vitamin D from foods, but not supplements, is linked to a lower rate of a common skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) years later. Once again: the beneficial health effect is associated with eating real foods, but not supplements. Researchers found an inverse relationship with vitamin ...continue reading "Vitamin A and Skin Cancer Risk"
For years researchers have been finding links between vitamin D and all sorts of health benefits, including lower incidence of cancer with higher vitamin D levels. A recent study by Michigan State physicians found that taking vitamin D supplements for at least 3 years resulted in cancer patients living longer, that is, "having significant reduction ...continue reading "Vitamin D and Cancer"
Long-awaited vitamin D studies are finally appearing this year. A large international study found that higher levels of vitamin D in a person's blood is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Those with the highest vitamin D levels had a 21% lower risk (compared to the lowest group) of colorectal cancer after an ...continue reading "Vitamin D and Colorectal Cancer Risk"
Again, another study finds that taking supplements is not always best for health. Many studies find that eating foods with vitamin "X" is beneficial, but taking high dose supplements may be linked to health problems (here, here, and here). Now a new study finds that long-term high dose supplementation with vitamins B6 and B12 is ...continue reading "High Doses of B Vitamins and Lung Cancer?"
Two more studies found that higher levels of vitamin D in the blood are associated with better health outcomes - one study found a lower risk of breast cancer, especially among postmenopausal women, and in the other - better outcomes after a metastatic melanoma diagnosis. The breast cancer study suggested that a fairly high blood ...continue reading "Vitamin D, Breast Cancer, and Melanoma"
Does vitamin D prevent cancer? There has been much debate over whether increasing levels of vitamin D (as measured in a person's blood) results in a lower incidence of cancer. Studies find a number of health problems linked to low levels of vitamin D (here, here, here), while studies looking at vitamin D and cancer ...continue reading "Does Vitamin D Prevent Cancer?"
Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in a variety of cancers (here, here, and here). Now a study found that vitamin D levels are linked to the long-term outcome in women with breast cancer. Researchers found that after 7 years, women with the highest levels of vitamin D had about a 30 percent better likelihood of survival from breast cancer ...continue reading "Vitamin D and Breast Cancer"
Another study finding a link with low levels of vitamin D and a health problem - this time an increased risk of bladder cancer. Vitamin D is frequently called the "sunshine vitamin" because sunlight is the best source of vitamin D (our body makes vitamin D3 from sunlight exposure on our bare skin). If you take ...continue reading "Low Vitamin D Levels and Bladder Cancer"
A number of recent studies looked at vitamin D and various diseases. All showed benefits of higher vitamin D levels in the blood: lower rates of cancer incidence, improved heart function in those with heart failure, lower rates of leukemia incidence, lower rates of breast cancer, and less aggressive breast and prostate cancer. However, one study ...continue reading "Vitamin D Level Linked to Cancer Risk"
Two recent studies link low vitamin D levels with more aggressive cancers: aggressive prostate cancer in men and more aggressive breast cancers (in mice and women). Researchers generally advise people to take 1000 to 2000 international units per day of vitamin D3 to maintain normal blood levels of of more than 30 nanograms/milliliter. The best ...continue reading "Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Aggressive Cancer"