Last Sunday on The Woodstock Roundtable(*1), one of my favorite guests, Susun Weed, spoke about the amazing research coming out about Vitamin D.  Numerous observational studies are pointing to Vitamin D as an effective preventative for many cancers including breast and colon cancers.

The best source of Vitamin D, according to Susun, is exposure to sunlight.  The good news is that if we get about 10 minutes of direct exposure a day during the spring and summer months, our bodies can use that Vitamin D throughout the winter.  The bad news is that there is still this "scare" out there about exposing our skin to sunlight and manufacturers of sun blocks continue to rake in profits. 

While some foods are relatively high in Vitamin D (tuna, salmon), a daily supplement of Vitamin D, according to Susun, is the best source (after direct sunlight). However, it is important to talk to a nutritional expert about maximium dosage--too much vitamin D can cause problems.

Here are a few brief excerpts from medical reserach:

The new research review on vitamin D and cancer comes from scientists including Cedric Garland, DrPH, of the University of California at San Diego's family and preventive medicine department.They cite 29 observational studies in their report, which appears in the journal Nutrition Reviews.

Garland and colleagues combined data from the observational studies. They conclude that in North America, "a projected 50% reduction in colon cancer incidence would require a universal intake of 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D3."

"A similar reduction in breast cancer incidence would require 3,500 IU per day," write the reviewers, cautioning that such a dose exceeds the Institute of Medicine's tolerable upper limit for vitamin D."

This last statement shows why getting the majority of our vitamin D from sunlight is so important.  A supplement can help, but it's important not to exceed the maximum dosage deemed healthy, and this amount, by itself, is not enough.

It's important not ot overexpose ourselves to sunlight or vitamin dosages.  That said, the medical research is pointing to the powerful anti-cancer effects of properly received Vitamin D.

Susun Weed's web site (primarily for women, but men can benefit as well) is www.susunweed.conm

(*1  The Woodstock Roundtable is a weekly radio talk program aired live over WDST-FM Sunday mornings, 7-9AM and can be heard anytiime by going to www.wdst.com, clicking the ON DEMAND link, then scrolling down to The Woodstock Roundtable.)