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New Evidence, Sunshine DOES Slash Your Cancer Risk

The first large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled study on vitamin D and cancer has shown that vitamin D can cut cancer risks by as much as 60 percent.

In response, the Canadian Cancer Society is now recommending vitamin D for all adults, the first time a major public-health organization has endorsed the vitamin as a cancer-prevention therapy.

The study looked at almost 1,200 women, aged 55 and older, over the course of four years. Those in a group that was given supplemental calcium and vitamin D had a 60 percent lower risk for all cancers than those who received a placebo.



American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(6):1586-91 June 2007

GlobeAndMail.com June 8, 2007


Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I received a lot of criticism three months ago for my video explaining how you can cut your cancer risk in half by spending time in the sun (although it was the Most Watched video on YouTube I've ever produced).

In fact, some considered me a total quack because of my stand on this issue. But I've stood by my beliefs and recommendations, and now science is providing additional strong and clear evidence that my assertions were true.

This latest, groundbreaking study is proof positive that that sufficient levels of vitamin D does indeed slash your cancer risk -- and by a whopping 60 percent!

Vitamin D is available in some food sources, but about 90 percent of the vitamin is produced within the body as a result of exposure to sunlight. I recently wrote about the decrease in sun exposure over the last decade, which is in large part due to the medical warnings about skin cancer, the over-use of sunscreens, and societal changes causing people to stay indoors rather than spend time outside.

Unfortunately this lack of sensible sun exposure has far-reaching health implications.

While you clearly need sensible sun exposure, what most people don't realize is that the amount of antioxidants that you have in your skin plays a major role in the development of sunburn. Additionally omega-3 deficiencies are a far more siginificant risk factor for deadly skin cancers than sun exposure is.

Researchers now agree that the rampant increase of a wide variety of cancers may be due to widespread vitamin D deficiency. Among the cancers linked to low levels of vitamin D are breast, colon, lung, rectum, ovary, pancreas, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma.

Next year, my forthcoming book Dark Deception will explore this topic in detail, and expose why the conventional wisdom on the subject, which encourages you to stay out of the sun, is dead wrong.

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Article's Comment     ( 36 Comments )
 
 
 +23 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Zambini   
  
[ Joined on 05/07 ]
[ Posted on June 11, 2007 ]
Post Reply
Thanks Dr. Mercola.

I've never believed that sun was harmful!  I lived in an area that got only 6 hours of sunlight much of the winter and know first hand the effect of limited sun exposure!  I never could understand curtains on windows and drawn blinds.  Aside from Vit D, the light itself is necessary for good health.  And, just getting it through the windows wasn't even enough in those long cold winters. 

I've always tanned and enjoyed the heat of the sun on my body! Some say it is because of my deep French/Mediteranean pigment.  I've been warned of sun aging my skin, but in my middle age years, have yet to see the wrinkles and leather I was told I would have from sun exposure.  I even loved the sweating that  exposure to sun rays produced.

My Scandinavian/Irish husband's fare skin is protected much of the summer, but more and more, he is exposing his skin to the sun on a regular basis.  The fear of harmful sunburns and the joy of helpful sun need to be balanced, and it does make a difference.  His ND even recommended, and gave us plans for, an infra-red sauna 2 times a day to get the sweating!

Skin that gets sun exposure is so healthy looking compared to that which is hidden from the sun.  And, if the largest organ in your body is healthy, it has to say something about the rest of your health.

 

 +2 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY chirocheer   
  
[ Joined on 08/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on June 28, 2007 ]
 
Anointing,

I get it, and I couldn't agree more.  The Lord is the one who created the sun -- just one look @ creation takes my breath away.  I live about 2 miles from the beach, and to watch the tide come only so far -- it's amazing.  Thanks for Scripture -- keep proclaiming truth.  If I could give you more than 3 pts. I would.

            
 
Author of the Article
BY GregB777   
  
[ Joined on 05/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on September 20, 2007 ]
 
A great book is "The UV Advantage" my Michael Holick, a famous vitamin D researcher from Boston.  It goes over a lot of the science.   Check out Amazon.

 
 +17 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Russ Bianchi   
  
[ Joined on 09/06 ]
[ Posted on June 11, 2007 ]
Post Reply
Massive depression occurs in Scandinavian populations, as a direct result of lack of Vitamin D from sunshine, resulting directly in a disproportionate amount of alcoholism, drug addiction, and suicide.

Doc Mercola is not a QUACK, he is absolutely correct on his PROVEN correlation and affirmation that sunshine is required for a healthy and happy long life.
 

 +9 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY TheHawk60   
  
[ Joined on 04/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on June 11, 2007 ]