Recent Studies are Seeing Vitamin D in a Whole New Light… Sunlight!

Menopausal women are a concern for vitamin D deficiency, being predisposed to osteoporosis because of decreasing estrogen levels. You may understand the importance of vitamin D with calcium absorption and bone health. However, you may not be aware of the important role vitamin D plays in preventing many other diseases.

Last month, we identified the role vitamin D played in seasonal affective disorder. Please read on to learn more about the many other benefits of vitamin D.

Research suggests other benefits may include:

1. Protection against some cancers (breast, ovarian, & colon cancers are increased where climates have decreased sun exposure)
   A new study suggests that taking 1,000 international units of vitamin D3 daily appears to lower the risk of developing certain cancers – including colon, breast and ovarian cancer -– by up to 50 percent. Reducing your risk of several types of cancer might be as easy as boosting your vitamin D intake. ⁽¹⁾

2. Improved Immune function
   There is scientific evidence that vitamin D has effects to enhance immunity and inhibit the development of autoimmune diseases. ⁽²⁾

3. Protection against multiple sclerosis
   Research has concluded that people who live in areas with higher latitudes face increased risk of multiple sclerosis. ⁽³⁾

4. Protection against Type 1 Diabetes
   A 2001 study showed that children receiving 2000IU vitamin D from age 1 on decreased the incidence of type 1 diabetes by 80%. ⁽⁴⁾

5. Protection against rheumatoid arthritis
   New research has associated vitamin D deficiency with rheumatoid arthritis ⁽⁵⁾

6. Protection against heart disease
   A 2003 study showed young adults with vitamin D deficiency were at greater risk for congestive heart failure. ⁽⁶⁾

7. Protection against hypertension
   Vitamin D deficiency may promote development of hypertension. ⁽⁷⁾

8. Possible protection against the cold and flu
   Researchers said the knowledge that vitamin D fights the cold and flu could be especially important for those with other breathing problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as COPD. ⁽⁸⁾
   
   
   1. http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/full/96/2/252
   2. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminD/
   3. Holick, MF. Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. American Journal Clinical Nutrition 2004; 79:362-71.
   4. Hypponen E, Laara E, Jarvelin M-R, Virtanen SM. Intake of vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes: a birth-cohort study. Lancet 2001; 358: 1500-3/
   5. http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/arthritis-news/2007/affects-of-vitamin-d-on-rheumatoid-arthritis.html
   6. Zitterman A, Schleithoff SS, Tenderich G, Berhold JK, Korfer R, Stehle P. Low vitamin D status: a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure? J Am Coll Cardiology 2003; 41: 105-12.
   7. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/MyocardialInfarction/7877
   8. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/4/384