Do Vitamin D Supplements Help Prevent Cancer?

Vitamin D, referred to as the sunshine vitamin, is routinely in and out of the spotlight.

Heres what you may be hearing about, and how research doesand does notsupport those claims.

She explained people with lower cancer risk tend to be more active, and therefore spend more time outdoors.

This study evaluated whether vitamin D supplementation impacted cancer incidence.

But if a person is not deficient in vitamin D, theres little to no benefit to taking supplements.

In fact, too much vitamin D can actually be harmful.

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

A vitamin D level of 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/mL is considered adequate for healthy people.

A level below 20 ng/mL is considered inadequate and below 12 ng/mL indicates vitamin D deficiency.

These levels can be determined by a blood test called the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test.

However, Manson says the data that does exist is strong.

Other data shows positive outcomes as well, although the relationship is not incredibly strong.

Should You Take Vitamin D Supplements?

There is a genetic component to cancer as wellgenes may play a significant role in development and progression.

At least 50% of cancers are preventable by healthy lifestyle behaviors, Manson shared.

People cant throw a vitamin D supplement at an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

A systematic review of epidemiological studies.Eur J Cancer.

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