Most of us know that taking Vitamin C helps when we are getting sick because it builds up our immune system. Eat your carrots (or broccoli), it's good for your vision because the vegetable consists of high levels of Vitamin A. Vitamin E helps strengthen your hair and nails.
According to a new study, taking Vitamin D can cut the risk of pancreatic cancer nearly in half. This study appears in the September issue of a medical journal, Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. Earlier studies have shown that Vitamin D can also protect against colorectal and breast cancer. Lab and animal studies have shown that Vitamin D stifles abnormal cell growth and curbs formation of blood vessels that feed tumors.
Northwestern and Harvard universities led the studies and proved that taking 450 international units (IU's) of Vitamin D – the standard IU that is in most multivitamins – reduced the risk of pancreatic cancer by 43 percent. There is no need to take more than that amount either. Through statistical analysis, conclusions were that 12.5 cases of pancreatic cancer occurred each year per 100,000 people who were taking 600 IU's or more of Vitamin D. But taking only 150 to 300 IU's reduced the risk by 22 percent. The rate was 21 cases for patients taking below 150 IU's a day.
Here are some other ways Vitamin D is produced. Spend some time at the park or the beach because Vitamin D is created by sunlight exposure. In terms of food, try eating more tuna, salmon or other oily fish. You also might want to drink a cup of milk every now and then many other dairy product are also high in Vitamin D, you could also use margarine instead of butter. For people between the ages of 50-70, the suggested amounts of Vitamin D is 400 IU's. For people over 70, the suggested amount is 600 IU's and of course lower levels for those that are younger.
As for multivitamins, be weary. Multivitamins usually package Vitamin D with Retinol (a form of Vitamin A) to promote bone health, but that combination actually dilutes the Vitamin D and does not effect prevention of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is fairly rare – it only makes up 2 percent of new cancer cases in the United States. But it is also very lethal being the fourth deadliest form of cancer in the United States. Around 33,700 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year and almost 96% will die from the disease. Here are so more statistics to keep in mind. Those that are over 60 and those that suffer from diabetes are more likely to be diagnosed with this disease. More males than females are diagnosed. Smokers are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed. If any of the above apply to you, start taking Vitamin D. It just might save your life.
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