SEVERAL STUDIES IN RECENT YEARS HAVE SHOWN THAT VITAMIN D3 MAY PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR VARIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS, INCLUDING CANCER, HEART HEALTH, DIABETES, AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE
As we age, our ability to fight infections and other health problems declines significantly. The immune system, which is responsible for defending the body against infections, does not function as effectively as it does in younger individuals.
Among the more serious consequences are higher rates of cancer, pneumonia, and influenza.
Vitamin D3 helps bones absorb calcium. However, beyond bone health, vitamin D has now been found to benefit the entire body, including strengthening the immune system and regulating cell growth.
More than 2,000 genes (approximately 6% of the human genome) are regulated by vitamin D. The fact that every tissue in the body—including the brain, heart, breasts, muscles, and immune system—has receptors for vitamin D indicates that it is required at optimal levels for these tissues to function properly.
A surprising fact: nearly 50% of the world’s population is at risk of vitamin D3 deficiency. This natural nutrient is produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It is synthesized as a pro-hormone in the skin and is only converted into its active hormonal form when the body needs it.
As we age, we lose the ability to convert sunlight into vitamin D. This deficiency can be addressed with natural vitamin D3 supplements that are easily absorbed.
In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted on the benefits of vitamin D3 for various conditions, including cancer, heart health, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease.
Low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with a higher risk of cancer. Individuals with low vitamin D levels have been found to be at greater risk of developing cancer compared to those with higher vitamin D levels.
One of the first cancers identified as being linked to vitamin D was breast cancer. There is now evidence that vitamin D can reduce the risk of breast cancer by inhibiting the growth of breast cancer tumors.
Many health experts recommend 1,000 IU to 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily to help reduce the risk of conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis, chronic inflammation, stroke, heart attack, and influenza.
References:
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
- Malaysian Oncology Society
- Vitamin D council
- Bilinski K, Boyages J. Association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and breast cancer risk in an Australian population: an observational case-control study. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013 Jan;137(2):599-607.
- Amaral AF, Mendez-Pertuz M, Munoz A, et al. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) and bladder cancer risk according to tumor stage and FGFR3 status: a mechanism-based epidemiological study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2012 Dec 19;104(24):1897-904.
- Roskies M, Dolev Y, Caglar D, et al. Vitamin D deficiency as a potentially modifiable risk factor for thyroid cancer. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012 Jun 1;41(3):160-3.