Sunshine Vitamin Fights Infection, Cancer

Ivanhoe Newswire

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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- As children, we all learned vitamin D helps build strong bones. New research suggests it also fights infection in the skin and may dramatically reduce the incidence of some cancers.

University of California, San Diego researchers looked at the role vitamin D plays in fighting skin infections. Their investigation reveals the vitamin teams up with specific genes to produce a substance called cathelicidin, which is necessary to heal infected wounds.

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Researchers are now embarking on another study to find out if oral or topical vitamin D can ease skin symptoms in people with conditions like eczema and acne.

The cancer findings come from researchers who conducted two new meta-analyses -- studies that pool results from other studies. One study revealed people with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood were the least likely to develop breast cancer. The other study revealed vitamin D has a similar affect on colorectal cancer.

A daily dose of 2,000 international units of vitamin D and 15 minutes in the sun each day may reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent and colorectal cancer risk by 66 percent, according to study authors. Sun exposure helps the body create its own vitamin D. People with darker skin need more time in the sun, about 25 minutes, to make a sufficient amount of vitamin D.

Some may wonder if a dose of 2,000 international units of vitamin D is safe. The authors of the colorectal study write it is. They note the National Academy of Sciences has established a "No Adverse Effect Level" for a dose of 2,000 international units of vitamin D per day. However, investigators in both cancer studies warn against spending too much time in the sun, especially for people who have fair skin or who are prone to skin cancers.
 
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Investigation, published online Feb. 8, 2007; Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2007;103; American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published online Feb. 6, 2007