Anti-Cancer, Anti-Heart Disease and More

In the field of Alternative Medicine, often purveyors of high-profit preparations use the term "Miracle" to describe their products. Yet, the performance of these products usually falls short of that appellation. The "miracle" is that they can get away with it.

In science however, one can honestly say that vitamin D is a natural miracle. And surveys have found that most adults are deficient in it. One of the problems is that for example, as a recent scientific journal*pointed out, "...the major fortified dietary source of vitamin D is milk which often dies not contain at least 80% of what is stated on the label." Also, fear of excessive exposure to the sun, understandably justified, keeps that source from creating vitamin D in the skin.

What about vitamin D in fish? As the same journal pointed out, few studies of vitamin D content have been measured in cooked or fried fish. And, "Surprisingly, farmed salmon has approximately 25% of the vitamin D content as wild salmon had." Most salmon sold today is farmed.

Can vitamin D reduce the risk of cancer? The American Journal of Preventative Medicine**concluded recently, "The evidence to date suggests that daily intake of 1000-2000 IU a day could reduce the incidence of [colon and rectal cancers] with minimal risk." Most people around the world except possibly those in year-round sun-rich climates get less than 400 I.U. (International units.)

And with the use of Alternative Medicine through supplement pills, one can attain the optimal intake without risking skin cancer. There is consensus among scientists that the FDA needs to increase the requirement in cereals to at least 1200. They have banded together to push the FDA to do this, but bureaucracy being what it is, it make take some time.

And breast cancer? Another authoritative journal***reports that "Intake of 2000 I.U. a day of Vitamin D, and, when possible, very moderate exposure to sunlight, could raise serum [blood levels to a level associated with reduction by 50% in incidence of breast cancer..."

The Journal of Clinical Nutrition****calls moderate sun exposure, "5-10 minutes at the legs, hands, arms and face, 2 or 3 times per week." They noted that "Vitamin D deficiency not only causes rickets among children but also precipitates and exacerbates osteoporosis among adults and causes the painful bone disease osteomalacia. Vitamin D deficiency [which they observe "is an unrecognized epidemic among both children and adults in the United States"] has been associated with increased risks of deadly cancers, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes mellitus."

Another issue of that journal #notes that "In the absence of adequate sun exposure, at least 800-1000 I.U..."may be needed to achieve reduced risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures in adults.

There is more to this real Alternative Medicine miracle, surprisingly. The journal Epidemiological Infection## reported, "An interventional study [adding vitamin D to the diet] showed that vitamin D reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children."

ALL EMPHASES ARE ADDED.

*Journal of Steroid Biochem Mol. Biology, vol. 103, 2007, by Drs. Lu, Chen, Holick, et al., Depts. of Medicine & Physiology & Biophysics, Boston U. Med. Ctr., Boston, MA 02118, USA.

**vol. 32, 2007, by Drs. Gorham, Garland, Lipkin, Newmark and Holick et al., U. of Cal. San Diego, School of Med., La Jolla, Cal., USA.

***J. Steroid Biochem Mol. Biol., vol. 103, 2007, by Drs. Garland, Mohr and Garland, et al., U. of Cal., La Jolla, Cal.

****Vol. 80, 2004, by Dr. Holick, Boston U. Med Ctr., Boston, MA 02118.

#vol. 87, 2008, by Drs. Holick & Chen, Boston U. Med. Ctr.

##vol. 134, 2006, by Drs. Cannell, Vieth, Giovanucci et al., Atascadero State Hosp., 10333 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422. Dr. Giovanucci is now at Harvard Med. School.