Stories tagged vitamin D

More vitamin D news

by Gene on Jun. 24th, 2008
in

The big D: Research continues to shed light on the role vitamin D plays in our bodies.
The big D: Research continues to shed light on the role vitamin D plays in our bodies.
Courtesy Leo Reynolds

We've talked beforeon Science Buzz about the link between sunlight, vitamin D and cancer. Well, the story just won't go away...

Here's more evidence that sunlight = vitamin D = a healthier life.

And research that shows vitamin D can reduce the risk of diabetes.

And also reduce risk of a heart attack.

But, just to keep things balanced, here's a report that vitamin D doesn’t do everything – some of the health benefits claimed for the vitamin don’t stand up to research

And here’s a summary of the pros and cons of vitamin D and sun exposure.

Get more sun!

by Gene on Jan. 09th, 2008
in
4

Today’s article is brought to you by the letter D
Today’s article is brought to you by the letter D
Courtesy Leo Reynolds

Hard to do this time of year. And lots of people shun the sun to avoid skin cancer. But science now says sun avoidance is bad for you. It can lead to vitamin D deficiency.

Your skin produced vitamin D naturally when it is struck by sunlight. Too little vitamin D can lead to some nasty diseases, such as rickets, a softening or weakening of the bones.

Vitamin D has been in the news a lot lately. Canadian researchers have found that non-whites are especially prone to vitamin D deficiency. (Dark skin evolved in sunny areas as a way to keep the body from producing too much vitamin D, which also causes problems. When dark-skinned people move to less sunny areas, their anti-sun defense actually starts to work against them.)

A doctor in Buffalo, NY has linked low levels of vitamin D to high incidence of cancer.

Doctors at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington note that a lack of milk and sunshine is leading to is preventing children from developing strong, healthy bones.

A study at King's College in London suggests that vitamin D may slow aging.

2

Sun, sun, Mr. golden sun.: Sunlight has both positive and negative effects on the body.  Sure is pretty, though, ain't it?  Photo by S4N7Y from Flickr.com
Sun, sun, Mr. golden sun.: Sunlight has both positive and negative effects on the body. Sure is pretty, though, ain't it? Photo by S4N7Y from Flickr.com

Sunlight is good for you! It helps your body produce vitamin D. And lots of us could use more vitamin D.

Sunlight is bad for you! Overexposure to ultraviolet light can lead to skin cancer.

Sunlight is good for you! A new study shows that vitamin D helps prevent breast cancer.

Sunlight is a myth! It hasn’t stopped raining here in over a week.