The deficiency of Vitamin D in most people may be to blame for 600,000 cancer cases in the world each year. This is extremely common for most northern European countries where exposure levels to the sun are fairly low.
Researchers say close to 30,000 cases of breast and colon cancer could be prevented if the British spent a bit more time in the sun. Even though the majority of people in northern Europe do not have deficient levels of Vitamin D, most experts agree that their blood levels should be much higher than they are.
Researchers have found that 15 minutes a day in the sun, can actually lead to the prevention of cancer. When exposed to sunlight, vitamin D is created in the body, which helps prevent the signs of cancer. Evidence also shows how Vitamin D may play a vital role in the prevention of disease, because the suns rays tend to top up natural levels even better than improving our diet.
In a study done by scientists from the Moores Cancer Centre at the University of California, 350,000 cases of breast cancer, and 250,000 cases of colorectal cancer a year are said to have been prevented by only a small increase in Vitamin D3 intake. Data from the study was taken from surveys of blood levels of Vitamin D in patients in 15 different countries during the winter period, with measurements of both cloud and sunshine. The data was then applied to 177 countries taking the estimated average of Vitamin D intake in the blood.
The study indicated that individuals with lower levels of Vitamin D were directly linked to higher levels of breast and colon cancer. Cancer specialist Dr. Cedric Garland said that even if people exposed themselves to 10-15 minutes of sunlight a day, they would increase their Vitamin D levels, and decrease their chances of getting cancer.
There is no evidence indicating the specific mechanisms of Vitamin D production, but its partial understanding is that it limits the rate of cancer cell growth in the body. The best way for your body to get Vitamin D is by being exposed to the sunlight on a sunny day (for 10-15 minutes), or by taking Vitamin D supplements. This will increase your chances of ultimately preventing cancer.
