Vitamin D plays a major role in our bodies; in fact, it is often considered a hormone rather than a vitamin because our skin has the ability to make Vitamin D3 through sunlight (Holick, 2006). By definition, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that in order for it to be adequately absorbed in the body, it must be taken with fat-containing food. Some foods that naturally contain Vitamin D include: fish, mushrooms, cream, egg yolk and butter. You can also find foods that are fortified with vitamin D such as milk, orange juice and eggs. In naturopathic cancer care care, Vitamin D is important in cancer prevention and treatment. Our naturopaths can help to determine if your vitamin D levels are adequate, whether you are looking for solutions to prevent or treat cancer.
In order for Vitamin D to be activated, it must be metabolized through the liver and the kidneys. Therefore, issues with these organs can create issues in activation of Vitamin D3. In 2002, Grant et al showed that individuals exposed to low levels of sunlight were highly susceptible to a variety of cancers, because of the low vitamin D levels in their bodies. In 2006, Grant and his team concluded that supplementing with Vitamin D reduces cancer mortality overall. Many individuals work indoors, and spend majority of their days inside. Therefore, the lifestyle we live as North Americans makes us deficient in Vitamin D and at high-risk for the following cancers: breast, colon, ovarian, prostate, bladder, esophagus, kidney, lung, pancreas, rectum, stomach, uterus, and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Studies have also shown that vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL represents a 30-50% increase in developing and dying from the following cancers: colorectal, prostate, breast, pancreatic and esophageal.
In 2007, Garland and his team concluded that Vitamin D levels above or equal to 55 ng/mL, could prevent 60 000 cases of colon cancer and 85 000 cases of breast cancer per year in North America.
Naturopathic cancer care care utilizes a variety of treatments to prevent and treat cancer. Our naturopathic doctors can test your Vitamin D levels and help you determine the dose of vitamin D appropriate for you, so that you do not experience symptoms of toxicity.
Contact the Nardella clinic today to book an appointment with one of our naturopaths experienced in naturopathic cancer care care.
