foodconsumer.org: Study confirms that Vitamin D3 may prevent cancer

Study confirms that Vitamin D3 may prevent cancer
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admin on 07/10/2009 22:19:00
 
By David Liu and edited by Sheilah Downey
Numerous scientific studies have suggested that vitamin D may help prevent many
cancers. A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation
confirmed biochemically that vitamin D3 has anti-cancer effects.
Alberto Muñoz and Carlos López-Otín at the Autonomous University of Madrid
and the University of Oviedo, Spain, and colleagues found the active form of
vitamin D3 directly activates a gene known as CST5, which is responsible for
making tumor suppressor protein cystatin D. It has been shown that CST5
increases production of the protein.
The authors of the study conclude that CST5 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene
and it mediates the anticancer effects of the active form of vitamin D3.
The results of the study suggest that vitamin D3 should be examined for its
preventive and therapeutic effect against colon cancer.
The active form of vitamin D3 may be made in cells when vitamin D3 reaches
certain high levels in the blood, according to Dr. John Cannell, president of
the Vitamin D Council, a non-profit organization.
Dr. Cannell suggests that 5000 international units of vitamin D3 should be taken
to maintain a healthy level of serum vitamin D when exposure to sunshine is not
possible.