Vitamin D May Help Curb Breast Cancer

Last Thursday the American Society of Clinical Oncology released and interesting study about the benefit of Vitamin D on women who suffer from breast cancaer. The study basically says that Breast cancer patients who had low levels of vitamin D were much more likely to die of the disease or have the breast cancer spread than patients getting enough of the Vitamin D nutrient. This adds to evidence that Vitamin D has anti-cancer benefits. The results will surely renew the arguments about whether a little more sunshine is a good thing as our skin makes Vitamin D from ultraviolet rays of sunshine.

Dr. Erick Madrid reports from Health and Survival blog commenting on the benefit of the Vitamin D on Breast Cancer urging every woman to read this study.

The evidence keeps mounting! I have published several posts in the past regarding the benefits of Vitamin D. I have been checking patient levels for about a year and a half and have convinced many of my colleagues to do the same. About 90% of my patients in Southern California, are D-ficient.

This is one of many studies to show that Vitamin D supplementation (or increased sunlight) can help prevent cancer. Although my experience has taught me that most people will need between 2000 IU- 6000 IU daily of Vitamin D3. I have several patients on doses as high as 10,000 units/day. There are no studies to suggest toxicity of at these levels.

I personally used to take 800 IU daily with my multivitamin only to discover that my levels were deficient ( I live in Southern California too and don't use sunscreen). I now take Vitamin D3 4000 IU daily. The article also states that the test cost about $25- in reality, it will cost between $75 to $150 depending on the lab.

I would recommend that everyone reading this article ask their doctor to check their Vitamin D 25-OH levels (Not Vitamin D 1-25 OH). If they are below 32 ng/dl, then supplementation should be considered. As with any disease, prevention is the key.

About the author: Eric Madrid MD. Dr. is a family doctor in Temecula, Ca. In addition, he conducts product research and development for eHealthSupplies.com, a company his wife, Whanda Madrid runs and operates.