Cancer is a fatal disease that has now become as common as heart attack. While it was earlier believed that smoking was the leading cause of cancer, recent trends indicate that children may also suffer from it. Since the cause of the disease is unclear, it is even more essential to know of preventive measures. One such nutrient that can help you reduce the chances of cancer is Vitamin D. Continue reading ahead and find out how Vitamin D plays a role in preventing different types of cancer.

One of the most common sources of Vitamin D is the sun. Thus, it is acceptable to say that Vitamin D is a nutrient that needs to be absorbed by the skin. For the uninitiated, it is vital for bone strength and the overall smooth functioning of the limbs. Once the initial stage of Vitamin D accumulation is over, it goes straight to the liver, where it is converted into an active form of 25-hydroxy- vitamin D, also referred to as calcidiol. Post this, it transfers to the kidney where it further changes into calcitriol.

Vitamin D is essential for both adults and children alike because it helps the skeletal system to mineralize for stronger bones and absorb dietary Calcium easily. Cancer is the irregular growth and multiplication of cells in different parts of the body. Since Vitamin D regulates cell growth, it is identified and positively correlated with preventing cancer. Moreover, it can help in reducing the chances of several deadly diseases such as colon, breast, and Prostate Cancer.

Individuals are often concerned about Vitamin D units that they need to consume every day. But you first need to think of how our ancestors survived even when science had not advanced. Well, the answer lies in the daily schedule. Since the sun is a great Vitamin D source, it is vital to play outside and spend some time in outdoor physical activity. The units of Vitamin D that your body needs are directly related to your body weight. Thus, you generally require 1,5002,000 units of Vitamin D per day. In case you are overweight, the value may need to be doubled as well.

There is no definite answer as to how one can prevent cancer. But if we believe recent medical studies and experiments, then higher 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels are directly linked to lower chances of developing Colon Cancer. While one research suggests that 1,000 units of Vitamin D per day can reduce Colon Cancer symptoms by 50%, another study suggests that the reduction is somewhere between 25% to 50%. Either way, Vitamin D is helpful. While research keeps improving, and more data continues to surface, research supports that Vitamin D does well to the body.

A frequent tumor that turns into cancer is found in the breasts. Thus, Dr. Knight from Canada conducted a study where she spoke to two groups of women. While one group was suffering from breast cancer, the other group was perfectly fine. After intense interviews and data collection, she found that women who did not have cancer had spent more time considerably in the sun. Those who had more sun exposure as teenagers and young adults cut down the risk of Breast Cancer by 70%.

There is no such firm statement from any medical institute or body that if you have sufficient vitamin D, then you will not have cancer. One of the leading examples is an Indian cricket player, Yuvraj Singh. Though he had spent a significant portion of his life on the field, he was diagnosed with cancer some years back. However, he recovered later and continued to play for the team.

While vitamin D-sufficient individuals may also have cancer, it accelerates the impact of Colon Cancer Treatment by 25%. It is one of the leading reasons why patients are given external Vitamin D. Please note that cancer cells take time to develop. Thus, short-term exposure to Vitamin D may not be as helpful. You need to incorporate sun-time and physical play into your daily schedule and maintain it.

Medicine and science are two dynamic fields that never stop investigating and innovating. Millions of researchers across the globe are actively involved in looking for ways to prevent cancer. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Vitamin D is the topic of research for many. With so many minds putting efforts into the same direction, the world will undoubtedly witness development. Such news travels fast, and if cancer care providers find a way of cancer preventive care, it will be the leading headline.