Vitamin D3
What is it?
Vitamin D is often called the Sunshine Vitamin because our bodies naturally produce it in response to sun exposure. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin in a family of compounds that includes D-1, D-2 and D-3. Vitamin D is vitally important for bone health and proper immune system functioning. It also supports brain & cardiovascular health, assists in lung function and diabetes management and influencing the expression of genes in cancer development.
Even though your body produces vitamin D, in many cases you still may benefit from additional supplementation. Taking too much vitamin D can be harmful so work with your doctor or health care provider to determine the level appropriate for you.
What has it been shown to do?
There is significant research associated with vitamin D’s role in helping to prevent illness and also boost the immune system once diagnosed with cancer. Studies have shown that having sufficient vitamin D levels may help patients react better to chemotherapy and also support a better outcome. Research has also indicated that higher levels of Vitamin D may help prevent the onset of certain types of cancer and reduce cancer cell growth.
Research Links
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations ≥40 ng/ml Are Associated with >65% Lower Cancer Risk: Pooled Analysis of Randomized Trial and Prospective Cohort Study
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0152441
Circulating Vitamin D Levels and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Women
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25813525/
Plasma 25-hydroxy Vitamin D Concentrations, Vitamin D Receptor Genotype and Breast Cancer Risk in a UK Caucasian Population
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15911240/
